EN   EN 
 
 
 EUROPEAN  
COMMISSION   
Brussels, 23.2.2022  
COM(2022) 66 final  
 
COMMUNICATION FROM THE COMMISSION TO THE EUROPEAN 
PARLIAMENT, THE COUNCIL AND THE EUROPEAN ECONOMIC AND SOCIAL 
COMMITTEE  
on decent work worldwide     
for a global just transition and a sustainable recovery   
 
1 
 ‘Doing business around the world, global trade – all that is good and necessary.  
But this can never be done at the expense of people’s dignity and freedom…  
Human rights are not for sale – at any price.’  
President of the European Commission Ursula von der Leyen  
State of the Union Address, 15 September 2021  
 
1. INTRODUCTION  
 
According to the latest global estimates1, 160 million children worldwide are in child labour . 
That is one in ten children in the world, and their number is growing.  Nearly half of these 
children  are performing hazardous work. At the same time, 25 million people worldwide2 
were in a situation of forced labour. These figures act as a stark reminder that decent work is 
still not a reality for hundreds of millions of people worldwide, despite a clear commitment by 
the international community in the United Nations Sustainable D evelopment Goals.  
In parallel, global megatrends are rapidly transforming the world of work. Technological 
advances, the environmental and climate crisis, demograph ic change  and globalisation are 
drivers of this development. These transformations have the  potential to generate economic 
growth and create new job opportunities, but in some instances they can also contribute to a 
lowering of labour standards .  
Promoting decent work is increasingly coming into focus in the international context, 
particularly through the work of the International Labour Organization ( ILO), the United 
Nations ( UN)3 and the Organisation for Economic Co -operation and Development ( OEC D), 
but also within the G7 and G20 groups of nations4. International commitments and guidance5 
reflect rising concerns that globalisation is not always happening in a sustainable manner and 
address the role of business corporations in this regard.  
The EU is committed  to shapin g the global agenda on decent work and promot ing a human -
centred future of work.  The EU  aspir es to champion decent work  both at home  and around the 
world , in line with the UN 2030 Agenda  for Sustainable Development . Within the EU, the  
                                                           
1 ILO/UNICEF Child Labour Report, June 2021 ( https://data.unicef.org/resources/child -labour -2020 -global -estimates -trends -
and-the-road-forward/ ). 
2 https://www.ilo.org/global/topics/forced -labour/lang --en/index.htm  
3 The 2008 International Labour Organization (ILO) Declaration on Social Justice for a Fair Globalization de scribed, for the 
first time, the universal concept of decent work; the United Nations 2030 Agenda fo r Sustainable Development commits to 
achieving decent work for all by 2030; and the 2019 ILO Centenary Declaration for the Future of Work includes a human -
centred approach to respond to transformative changes driven by technological innovations, demographic shifts, climate 
change and globalisation ( https://www.ilo.org/global/about -the-ilo/mission -and-objectives/centenary -declaration/lang --
en/index.htm ). 
4 See Carbis Bay G7 summit com munique of 13 June 2021.  
5 Including e.g. the 2011 UN Guiding Principles on Business and Human Rights, the 2011 OECD Guidelines for 
Multinational Enterprises and the 2017 ILO Tripartite Declaration of Principle s concerning Multinational Enterprises and 
Social Policy.  
 
2 
 European Pillar of Social Rights Action Plan6, as welcomed by the Porto Summit in May 
2021, will help to further these objectives.  
As a responsible global player , support ing the universal values of human rights, and a major 
economic power, the EU takes a  strong stance on upholding and updating the multilateral 
rules -based global order7, including international labour standards , in line with the concept of 
open strategic autonomy8 and as reflected in the Global Gateway9.  
The EU economy is connected to mil lions of workers around the world through global supply 
chains, while EU consumers are increasingly demanding  goods, which are produced in a  
sustainab le and fair  way that ensures decent work of those who produce them. As reflected in 
debates in the Conference on the Future of Europe , European citizens expect the EU to act 
and the Commission takes that responsibility seriously. It is also in the interest of EU workers 
and companies, as well as responsible public  and private actors around the world , to 
strengthen the respect of decent work  globally and thereby avoid a race to the bottom based 
on a model of attracting investment by lowering labour protection standards.  
The COVID -19 pandemic has exacerbated  income and labour market inequalities10 and 
disproportionately  affected women and  vulnerable and disadvantaged groups  such as young 
people and children, persons with disabilities, older persons, migrant workers and workers  in 
the informal economy . The pandemic has  aggravated occupational health and safety and the 
exercise of fundamental labour rights11 and it has  highlighted the urgency of promoting  decent 
work in cluding in  global supply chains.  
Millions  of workers are affected by health - and life -threatening workplaces and  suffer from 
in-work poverty, excessive working hours, discrimination, harassment and violence, including 
gender -based violence,  without the freedom to associate12. People working in labour -intensive 
sectors such as agriculture, fisheries and textiles  are particularly affected . Poor living and 
working conditions are linked to various factors such as the stage of economic development, 
                                                           
6 COM(2021) 102 final of 4.3.2021  
7 See Joint Communication on strengthening the EU’s contribution to rules -based multilateralism that underlines the 
importance of multilateralism for a fair and sustainable recovery, https://eur -lex.europa.eu/l egal-
content/EN/TXT/PDF/?uri=CELEX:52021JC0003&from=EN  
8 https://ec.europa.eu/info/strategy/strategic -planning/strategic -foresight/2021 -strategic -foresight -report_en  
9 https://ec.europa.eu/info/sites/default/files/joint_communication_global_gateway.pdf  
10 For example the eighth edition of the ILO Monitor: COVID -19 and the world of work, warns that without concrete 
financial and technical support, a “great divergence” in employment recovery trends between developed and developing 
countries  will persist.  
11 https://www.ilo.org/infostories/en -GB/Campaigns/covid19/globalcall#covid -impact  
12 About 21 Percent of all employees lived in poverty in 2018, https://ilo.org/wcmsp5/groups/public/ ---dgreports/ ---
stat/documents/publication/wcms_696387.pdf , while the COVID -19 crisis may have pushed 71 million to 100 million more 
people in extreme poverty, https://www.ilo.org/wcmsp5/groups/public/ ---dgreports/ ---dcomm/ ---
publ/documents/publication/wcms_762534.pdf ; each year 1.9 million people die and 360 million have an accident and an 
estimated 479 million workers work long working hours of 55 hours/week or more, https://www.ilo.org/global/topics/safety -
and-health -at-work/lang --en/index.htm .  
 
3 
 low levels of legislation on labour and social protection13, weak law enforcement, ineffective 
public administration and irresponsible business prac tices.  
The prospect of an asymmetric global recovery risks aggravating the poor conditions even 
further and of entrenching them more deeply. As countries strive to “build back  better” and 
implement the clean energy transition and decarbonisation of the ec onomy, new distributional 
impacts are to be expected, especially in certain regions, sectors and/or social groups with a 
strong reliance on fossil fuels.  New jobs will be created, while some jobs will be replaced and 
others redefined14. It is vital for countries to anticipate these changes and up - and reskill 
workers accordingly. The transition of the global economy and of labour markets  following  
the climate change and other global megatrends must be  socially fair and just15, which  will 
require  strong political commitment and powerful action based on a human -centred 
approach16. 
This Communication sets out how the European Union will act upon th ese challenge s, putting 
the promotion of decent work worldwide at the heart of a just transition and an inclusive, 
sustainable and resilient recovery from the pandemic17. This approach is in line with the ILO 
Global Call to Action18. 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
                                                           
13 According to the ILO brief on financing gaps in social protection, more than half of the world’s population has no social 
protection coverage whatsoever , September 2020  (https://www.social -protection.org/gimi/RessourcePDF.action?id=56836 ). 
14 https://publications.jrc.ec.europa.eu/repository/handle/JRC126047  
15 https://eur -lex.europa.eu/legal -content/EN/TXT/?qid=1576150542719&uri=COM%3A2019%3A640%3AFIN ; see also 
Communication on A Strong Social Europe for Ju st Transition, COM (2020) 14 final.  
16 The human -centred approach includes to strengthen the capacity of all people to benefit from the opportunities of a 
changing world of work, to strengthen the institutions of work to ensure adequate protection of all wo rkers, reaffirming the 
continued relevance of the employment relationship, ensure a transition from informality to formality and promoting 
sustained, inclusive and sustainable economic growth, full and productive employment and decent work for all, see als o ILO 
Cent enary Declaration, 
https://www.ilo.org/wcmsp5/groups/public/@ed_norm/@relconf/documents/meetingdocument/wcms_711674.pdf . 
17 Commun ication on the Global EU response to COVID -19, JOIN(2020) 11 final of 8.4.2020. See also calls for a 
Communication on decent work worldwide by the Council in the Council Conclusions on Human Rights and Decent Work in 
Global Supply Chains ( https://www.consilium.europa.eu/media/46999/st13512 -en20.pdf ) and Council Conclusions on the 
Future of Work: The European Union promoting the ILO Centenary Declaration 
(https://data.consilium.euro pa.eu/doc/document/ST -13436 -2019 -INIT/en/pdf ). 
18 https://www.ilo.org/infostories/en -GB/Campaigns/covid19/globalcall#better -normal  
 
4 
 2. A COMPREHENSIVE APPRO ACH TO PROMOTING DEC ENT WORK WORLDWIDE  
The EU approach supports the universal concept of decent work  as developed by the ILO  
and as reflected in the UN Sustainable Development Goals , consisting of the four inseparable 
and mutually reinforcing objectives of productive employment, standards and rights at work, 
social protection and social dialog ue19. Gender equality and non -discrimination20 are cross -
cutting issues in these  objectives.  
 
The EU’s comprehensive approach  aims at effective promotion of decent work  for all . 
and specifically addresses vulnerable and disadvantaged groups such as children and young 
people, older workers , migrant workers, persons with disabilities , ethnic minorities  and 
workers  in the informal economy . It also aims to promote gender equality including through  
women’s economic empowerment , increasing women’s participation on the labour market in 
all sectors and at all levels and ensuring equal pay for work of equal value21. This 
comprehensive approach addresses workers in domestic markets  in third countries and in 
                                                           
19 https://www.ilo.org/global/topics/decent -work/lang --en/index.htm  
20 Discrimination based on sex, racial or ethnic origin, religion or belief, disability, age or  sexual orientation . 
21 Gender Action Plan III, https://ec.europa.eu/commission/presscorner/detail/en/IP_20_2184 ; Gender Equality Strategy 
2020 -2025, EUR -Lex - 52020DC0152 - EN - EUR -Lex (europa.eu).  

 
5 
 global supply chains. It include s all relevant stakeholders: governments, social partners, civil 
society, business actors and consumers.  The comprehensiveness of EU action is expressed  by 
different  EU initiatives  in the area22, including  the proposal for a  Corporate Sustainability Due 
Diligence  Directive23 that is adopted together with this Communication , and the ongoing  
review of the 15 -point Action Plan on Trade and Sustainable Development in the EU’s trade 
policy24.  
A specific focus on eradication of child labour and forced labour  
The United Nations declared  2021  the International Year for the Elimination of Child  
Labour25, as a rallying call for the international community to step up its efforts to eradicate 
child labour by 2025. Following a decrease in child labour from 2000 to 2016, the absolute 
number of children in child labour increased by 8.4 million from 2016 to 2020.  Due to the 
COVID -19 pandemic, and related economic shocks and school closures, an additional 9 
million children are at risk of being pushed into child labour by the end of 202226, while 
children already in child labour may be working longer hours or under worsening 
conditions27. If there is insufficient social protection coverage, this number could rise to 46 
million additional victims of child labour.  
Child labour in numbers28 
 
 
 
                                                           
22 See section 3 of this Communication and also Commission Staff Working Document ‘Promote decent work worldwide’, 
SWD(2020) 235 final of 20.10.2020.  
23 COM(2022) 71  
24 https://trade.ec.europa.eu/dialogue/meetdetails.cfm?meet=11601  
25 https://www.ilo.org/global/about -the-ilo/newsroom/news/WCMS_766351/lang --en/index.htm  
26 https://www.unicef.org/press -releases/child -labour -rises-160-million -first-increase -two-decades  
27 https://www.ilo.org/global/about -the-ilo/newsroom/news/WCMS_800090/lang --en/index.htm  
28 https://www.ilo.org/wcmsp5/groups/public/ ---ed_norm/ ---ipec/documents/publication/wcms_797515.pdf  

 
6 
  
 
In line with the Commission’s zero tolerance policy towards child labour , the elimination of 
child labour is a priority within its comprehensive approach of promoting decent work 

 
7 
 worldwide . It needs to be kept at the forefront of reflections in all relevant policy areas. EU 
actions in th is area include supporting and enf orcing effective legislation against child  labour  
promoting social welfare programmes for poor households that are vulnerable to child labour; 
and strengthening access to education, including in situations of conflict or crisis and for 
children who are on the move both within and between countries , and p roviding them with 
protection services . The EU Comprehensive Strategy on the Rights of the Child29 engages the 
Commission to work towards making EU supply chains free of child labour and to provide 
technical assistance to strengthen labour inspection system s. 
                                                           
29 Communication on EU strategy on the rights of the child, COM/2021/1 42 final.  
 
8 
 Forced labour in numbers30 
 
 
                                                           
30 https://www.ilo.org/global/topics/forced -labour/lang --en/index.htm ; forced labou r exists in global value chains;  
https://www.ilo.org/wcmsp5/groups/public/ ---ed_norm/ ---ipec/docume nts/publication/wcms_653986.pdf;  
https://www.ilo.org/wcmsp5/groups/public/ ---ed_norm/ ---ipec/docume nts/publication/wcms_653990.pdf.  

 
9 
  
 
The eradication of child labour and forced labour can only be achieved if other objectives of 
decent work, such as sustainable business conduct , social dialogue, freedom of association, 
collective bargaining  and social  protection , are promoted. This demonstrates the effectiveness 
of a comprehensive approach to promoting decent work worldwide.  
3. HOW IS EU PROMOT ING  DECENT WORK WORLDWIDE  
3.1. EU policies and initiatives with outreach beyond the EU  
Internal EU action also has implications for the well -being of workers around the globe. In 
line with the EU’s commitment to promote decent work in global supply chains31, EU policies 
set standards  that are frontrunners for corporate responsibility and transparency  globally ; they 
set frameworks for sustainable finance, sustainable production and consumption, and 
strengthen the public sector in leading by example in public procurement activities. They are 
an essential element  of the European Green Deal32, which underlines that  green and social 
sustainability need to go hand in hand to ensure a socially just transition worldwide.  The EU 
initiatives pursuing decent work are both of a general and a sector -specific nature. In addition, 
EU has launched a number of dedicated initiati ves to combat child and forced labour.  
3.1.1 Initiatives covering Decent Work  
Several EU policies and strategies relate to the promotion of decent work worldwide, 
including in global supply chains33. They use a variety of tools including due diligence 
requirements for businesses, disclosure standards on social matters and transparency and 
information provisions on the sustainability of products allowing consumers to make more 
informed choices.  
                                                           
31 Communication on the Global EU response to COVID -19, JOIN/2020/11 final.  
32 The European Green Deal, COM(2019) 640 final of 11.12.2019.  
33 See also The Zero Pollution Ambition for a Toxic -Free Environment aims at ensuring that no harm to human health or the 
environment is caused by pollution (see COM(2021) 400)  or the Chemicals Strategy for Sustainability (COM(2020) 667 
final) that includes working towards more ambitious global action on the sustainable management of chemicals worldwide 
which affect workers’ safety around the world.  

 
10 
 In its proposal for a Corporate  Sustainability  Due Diligence Directive , the European 
Commission sets out due diligence obligations for large companies over a certain threshold 
and for certain  other  companies  in particularly sensitive sectors , to identify, prevent, mitigate 
and account for actual and potential adverse impacts on human rights, including labour rights, 
and the environment along global supply chains, in accordance with international human and 
labour rights standards. The proposal will  set out a horizontal framework to ensure that 
businesses operating in the single market contribute to the respect of the human rights and 
environment in their own operations and through their value chains, by mitigating adverse 
impacts on human rights and  the environment, and having an appropriate governance, 
management systems and measures in place. The proposal also provides for  an effective 
enforcement mechanism through a combination of administrative sanctions and civil liability.  
The EU is taking var ious policy measures on sustainable finance  to redirect private 
investment flows towards economic activities that are sustainable from both an environmental 
and a social perspective34. Europe is the region with one of the largest volume s of sustainable 
investing assets  globally , with about EUR 1 0 trillion in 20 2035, making sustainable finance a 
powerful tool for promoting labour rights in supply chains. As presented in the Sustainable 
Finance Strategy of 6 July 2021, the Commission will review disclosure standards regarding  
social and employee matters and respect for human rights in the financial sector , among other 
aspects. Furthermore, the Commission will publish a report on the possible extension of  the 
Taxonomy Regulation36 to cov er other sustainability objectives, such as social objectives.   
A transition to a clean and circular economy can provide opportunities to reduce pollution, 
waste and stimulate product innovation, while at the same time contributing positively to 
sustainabl e human development, including through the creation of decent jobs37. Following up 
on the Circular Economy Action Plan38, the Commission  will promote measures linked to 
environmental and social aspects along the supply chain of products and services.  
Consumers need better and more reliable information on the sustainability of goods and 
services to make informed choices. The Commission will promote decent work in global 
supply chains in upcoming initiatives on EU  consumer policies39. 
Under Horizon 2020, the Commission supported decent work -related research, including on 
the role of sustainable market actors for responsible trade40. In consistence with the UN 2030 
Agenda  for Sustainable Development , the Commission will strengthen promotion of decent 
work wo rldwide under the European Framework Programme for Research and Innovation, 
Horizon Europe (2021 -2027).  
                                                           
34 https://ec.europa.eu/info/business -economy -euro/banking -and-finance/sustainable -finance/overview -sustainable -
finance_en#action -plan 
35 http://www.gsi -alliance.org/wp -content/uploads/2021/08/GSIR -20201.pdf  
36 https://eur -lex.europa.eu/legal -content/EN/TXT/?uri=celex:32020R0852  
37 Chatham House (2020), Promoting a Just Transition to an Inclusive Circular Economy . 
38 A new Circular Economy Action Plan, COM(2020) 98 final of 11.3.2021.  
39 See for example t he Initiative Empowering the consumer for the green transition, https://ec.europa.eu/info/law/better -
regulation/have -your-say/initiatives/12467 -Consumer -policy -strengthening -the-role-of-consumers -in-the-green -transition_en.  
40 https://www.smart.uio.no/  
 
11 
 Under EU development and cooperation instruments, the EU has been supporting the 
implementation of the decent work agenda in partner countries including  via the Technical 
Assistance Facility Socieux+ that provides since 2013 expertise in the area of employment 
and social protection.  
3.1.2. Promoting decent work in specific sectors  
Through the initiatives in the  Farm to Fork Strategy41, the Commission will amongst others 
promote decent work in global food supply chains, including safe and fair working conditions  
and rights . The considerations of workers’ social protection, working and housing conditions 
as well as protection of health and safety will play a major role in building fair, strong and 
sustainable food systems . 
The Raw Materials Initiative42 and the Critical Raw Materials Action Plan43 aim for a 
fairer and more sustainable sourcing of raw materials from global markets. They promote 
responsible mining practices for critical raw materials, given that high supply concentration of 
raw materials in countries with low standards of governance m ay exacerbate environmental 
and social problems. In this connection, through its cooperation programmes, the Commission 
is engaged in supporting the sustainable development of the mineral resources in its partner 
countries. The Commission supports the impl ementation of Regulation  (EU) 2017/82144, 
which sets out due diligence obligations for EU importers of certain metals and minerals  
originating from conflict -affected and high -risk areas, by means of guidance  documents and 
accompanying measures . The Commissi on proposal for a Regulation concerning batteries 
and waste batteries45 contains obligations for economic operators to carry out due diligence 
obligations on their supply chains.  
In recent years, the EU has developed a set of policies and supported actions to address 
decent work in the garment sector  and reduce vulnerabilities, making supply chains more 
sustainable . For instance, the EU has supported Better Work46 to improve working conditions 
in the garment industry and the Vision Zero Fund47 to improve occupational health and safety 
in the garment sector48. The EU also support s interventions to increase knowledge and 
awareness aiming to improve working conditions in the garment sector through responsible 
                                                           
41 A Farm to Fork Strategy for a fair, healthy and environmentally -friendly food system, COM(2020) 381 final of 20.5.2020.  
42 https://ec.europa.eu/growth/sectors/raw -materials/policy -and-strategy -raw-materials_en  
43 COM(2020) 474 final  
44 Regulation laying down supply chain due diligence obligations for Union importers of tin, tantalum and tungsten, their 
ores, and gold originating from conflict -affected and high -risk areas, (EU) 2017/821 of 17.5.2017.  
45 Proposal for a Regulation concerni ng batteries and waste batteries, COM(2020) 798 final of 10.12.2020.  
46 Better work is a partnership between the UN’s International Labour Organization and the International Finance 
Corporation, a member of the World Bank Group, Better Work brings diverse g roups together – governments, global brands, 
factory owners, and unions and workers – to improve working conditions in the garment industry and make the sector more 
competitive, https://betterwork.org/.  
47 The Vision Zero Fund was launched by the G7 and end orsed by the G20. It is part of Safety & Health for All, an ILO 
flagship programme building a culture of safe, healthy work. By mobilising governments, employers, workers and the private 
sector in communities and countries around the world, the Vision Zero  Fund builds sustainable, safe and healthy supply 
chains, https://www.ilo.org/vzf/.  
48 See also as another EU funded project promoting decent work in ghe garment supply chain – “Sustainable Supply Chains 
to Build Forward Better”, https://www.ilo.org/wcmsp5/ groups/public/ ---ed_dialogue/ ---
sector/documents/genericdocument/wcms_791245.pdf  
 
12 
 production and consumption49. In the framework of the Circular Economy Action Plan, th e 
Commission is preparing a strategy for sustainable textiles , focusing on a sustainable 
recovery from the COVID -19 crisis50 and to reduce the sector‘s environmental and social 
impacts . In this contex t, the EU will take into account current challenges in the textiles value 
chain, including the need to protect human rights, including labour rights, and promote due 
diligence across supply chains in the textile sector . Such efforts will be ensured primarily  by 
the proposed Corporate Sustainability Due Diligence Directive . 
The EU will seek to secure commitments in all EU  air transport agreements  to provide high 
levels of labour protection in the aviation sector, in line with international labour standards51. 
The EU will include labour provisions on protection of workers in all EU  bilateral and 
multilateral agreements for international road transpo rt and in its Association 
Agreements with third countries . It will also review the European Agreement concerning the 
Work of Crews of Vehicles engaged in International Road Transport (AETR) to include 
relevant labour -related EU acquis and will align  the multilateral Interbus Agreement on the 
occasional carriage of passengers by coach and bus with the EU social rules in road transport.  
All EU Member States  have ratified the international Maritime Labour Convention (MLC ), 
which  regulates the working co nditions in the maritime transport . The EU will continue to 
work towards enforcing the provisions of the convention  in cooperation with IMO and ILO , 
and propose includ ing commitments linked to the effective implement ation  of the MLC in 
maritime -related EU agreements with third countries . 
Through its International Ocean Governance agenda and Common Fisheries Policy , the 
EU promotes  decent work in fisheries in line with the objectives of the International Labour 
Organization ( ILO), the International Maritime Organization (IMO) and the UN Food and 
Agriculture Organization (FAO) and in cooperation with partner countries. The EU will 
continue promoting  the ratification and effective implementation of the ILO Work in Fishing 
Convention C 188 , and other relevant international standards52. To this aim, it uses the 
Sustainable Fisheries Partnership Agreements (SFPAs), in particular through the 
implementation of a coherent set of social provisions, and the Regional Fisheries Management 
Organizatio ns where appropriate . In bilateral dialogues and in regional and international fora, 
the Commission and the High Representative will address forced labour and other forms of 
work that violate human rights in the area of fisheries, including when detected i n the context 
of the fight against illegal, unreported and unregulated  (IUU) fishing53. 
                                                           
49 For example: Beyond Your Clothes ; Together for Decent Leather | Ri ghts for Workers . 
50 https://ec.europa.eu/info/law/better -regulation/have -your-say/initiatives/12822 -EU-strategy -for-sustainable -textiles_en  
51 This includes promoting the objectives included in the ILO Decent Work Agenda and the ILO Declaration on Social 
Justice for a Fair Glo balization of 2008 and the Fundamental Rights and Principles at Work, as well as the commitment to 
ratify outstanding ILO fundamental conventions and to consider ratifying other ILO conventions. In the absence of EU 
aviation agreements, the Commission will  invite EU Member States to follow the EU approach of including labour 
provisions in their aviation agreements.  
52 Including the IMO Convention on Standards of Training, Certification and Watch keeping for Fishing Vessel Personnel 
(STCW -F). 
53 https://eur -lex.europa.eu/legal -content/EN/TXT/?uri=CELEX:52016JC0049  
 
13 
 With its Action Plan for the Social Economy54, the Commission will further promote the 
social economy at international level  for example through  the Instrument f or Pre -accession 
Assistance, the Neighbourhood, Development and International Cooperation Instruments  and 
by improving the access to finance for social entrepreneurs in the Western Balkans, the 
Eastern Partnership and Southern Neighbourhood . There is also scope to strengthen dialogue 
and collaboration on the social economy with key international partners . 
3.1.3. Increased efforts to combat forced labour and child labour  
Respect for human dignity and the universality and indivisibility of human rights are 
firmly enshrined in the Treaty. In addition, the Charter of Fundamental Rights of the 
European Union explicitly prohibits slavery and forced labour. In order to give effect to these 
provisions, the Commission mobilises all available horizontal and sector -specific initiatives to 
combat forced labour and child labour, working with Member States authorities as well as 
private businesses and other stakeholders.  
All 27 EU Member States have ratified the fundamental  Conventions of the International 
Labour Organization (ILO) on forced labour and child labour55. As a result, they are 
legally obliged to prevent and eliminate the use of forced labour  and to regularly report to the 
ILO’s standards supervisory bodies. The r eferences to the relevant ILO conventions are also 
included in numerous free trade agreements concluded by the Union56. Under the EU 
Regulation on the General ised Scheme  of Preferences, the EU can grant unilateral trade 
preferences on the condition that benefitting countries comply with international labour 
standards, including on the eliminat ion of child and forced labour.  
The EU Anti -Trafficking Directive  requires Member States to ensure that trafficking in 
human beings, including for the purpose of for ced labour , is punishable by law. The Directive 
also requires Member States to consider criminalising the knowing use of exploited services. 
However, the final decision is left to the Member States, which has led to a diverse legal 
landscape across the EU.  Given the prevalence of human trafficking across the  Union and the 
divergences of national legal frameworks,  Commission  is carry ing out an assessment of  the 
possibility to have  minimum EU rules criminalis ing the use of exploited services of 
trafficking vi ctims. Meanwhile, the Commission also organises awareness campaigns in 
cooperation with civil society organisations to help detect and prevent the practice.   
Socially responsible public procurement is a powerful tool to combat forced labour and 
child labour . Given that public procurement presents around 14% of the EU’s GDP 
(approximately EUR 2 trillion annually), it can provide strong incentives to companies to 
adopt socially responsible management practices. The public procurement Directives require 
Member States to take appropriate measures to ensure that contractors and suppliers 
effectively comply with the obligations stemming from the ILO conventions, including in the 
area of forced labour and child labour. T o raise contracting authorities’ aw arene ss of the 
                                                           
54 https://ec.europa.eu/social/main.jsp?catId=1537&langId=en  
55 https://www.ilo.org/wcmsp5/groups/public/ ---europe/ ---ro-geneva/ ---ilo-brussels/documents/publication/wcms_195135.pdf  
56 https://ec.europa.eu/trade/policy/policy -making/sustainable -development/#_labour -rights  
 
14 
 potential benefi ts of socially responsible public procurement, the Commission has recently 
updated its “Buying Social” -guide57. 
The fight against forced labour cannot be won by public authorities alone. Private businesses 
have an important role to  play.  This is why, a s part of the new EU trade policy, the 
Commissio n promotes due diligence  in line with international guidelines and principles to 
ensure that  forced labour does not find a place in the value chains of EU companies.  In this 
context, the Commission and the European External Action Service published in July 2021 
guidance to assist EU businesses in taking appropriate measures to address the risk of forced 
labour in their operations and supply chains , as a bridge towards mandatory horizon tal due 
diligence legislation58. In its proposal for a Corporate Sustainability Reporting Directive59, 
the Commission also put forward  detailed reporting requirements with respect to labour 
rights , such as the elimination of child and forced labour, including in global supply chains.  
The Commission is also promoting industry -led strategies in the sectors most at risk . For 
example, the Clear Cotton project puts forward an integrated approach to eliminate child and 
forced labour in  the cotton, te xtile and garment supply chains60. The elimination of child and 
forced labour also takes up a prominent place in the Raw Materials Initiative and the Critical 
Raw Materials Action Plan . 
Despite these important legislative steps, further  action is needed to effectively tackle 
forced labour. This is why President von der Leyen announced an initiative banning products 
made by forced labour from the Single Market. To this effect, the Commission is preparing a 
new legislative initiative , which will effectively pr ohibit the placing on the EU market of 
products made by forced labour, including forced child labour.  The initiative will cover both 
domestic and imported products and combine a ban with a robust, risk -based enforcement 
framework. The new instrument  will build on international standards and complement 
existing horizontal and sectoral EU initiatives, in particular the due diligence and transparency 
obligations.  
The fight against child labour requires additional action . Child labour has very complex 
drivers  such as economic hardship, lack of adequate educational opportunities, popular 
perceptions and local customs related to the role of children in society. As a result, the 
eradication of child labour requires a holistic approach to sustainable economic devel opment, 
including broad -based measures and adequately funded initiatives to support quality 
education , decent income and social protection  for all. In line with the EU strategy on the 
                                                           
57 Buying Social – A guide to taking account of so cial considerations in public procurement – Second edition (2021/C 
237/01),  The guide explains in a practical way the opportunities offered by the existing EU legal framework for public 
authorities to take into account social considerations in their public  procurement and offers good practices and examples of 
what can be achieved by making active use of socially responsible public procurement practices.  
58 https://trade.ec.europa.eu/doclib/docs/2021/july/tradoc_159709.pdf  
59 Commission proposal COM(2021) 189  final of 21.04.2021.  
60 The CLEAR Cotton project supports the elimination of child labour and forced labour in the cotton, textile and garment 
value chains in target producing countries (Burkina Faso, Mali, Pakistan, and Peru). It is implemented by the ILO in 
collaboration with the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO), CLEAR Cotton: Eliminating child labour and forced labour 
in the cotton, textile and garment supply chains; https://www.ilo.org/ipec/projects/global/clearcotton/lang --en/index.htm.  
 
15 
 Rights of the Child, the Commission support s governments, local actors and businesses, 
especially  in the most affected countries.  
Key tools : 
- Promoting human rights and environmental due diligence by companies, including 
through legislation, to ensure identification, prevention , mitigation  and accoun tability  
for actual and potential  adverse impacts on  human rights, including  labour rights , and 
the environment along global supply chains.  
- Banning of  products made by forced labour  from being placed on the EU market.  
- Strengthening companies’ disclosure of  information on sustainability aspects, 
including on decent work in global supply chains , to enhance sustainable investments 
and transparency for other stakeholders . 
- Providing guidance and strong legal provisions on socially sustainable public 
procurement and making sustainable products the norm to enhance fair consumption.  
- Using EU sectoral policies, including those on food, minerals, textiles, fisheries and 
transport , including maritime , to strengthen respect for international labour standards 
and the rat ification and implementation  of international labour conventions.  
3.2. EU bilateral and regional  relations  
In its trade policy , the EU expects its trading partners to respect international labour 
standards. Free trade and investment agreements play an essential role in this regard , by 
includ ing obligations to comply with international labour standards and promote decent work 
through national laws and practices, including effective labour inspection. For instance, these 
provisions incentivised South Korea to ratify three fundamental ILO conventio ns in April 
202161. Furthermore, in 2020 the Commission appointed the Chief Trade Enforcement Officer 
(CTEO) to ensure that its trade part ners meet their commitments , including  under sustainable 
development chapters . It has also established a single entry point , where EU companies, trade 
organisations or non -governmental orga nisations can submit complaints . 
The EU will use the ongoing review of the  15-point Action Plan on Trade and Sustainable 
Development to assess the implementation and enforcement of labour provisions in free trade 
agreements . This will include  the scope of commitments, monitoring mechanisms, the 
possibility of sanctions for non -compliance, the essential element clause, the institutional set -
up, working with civil society, and the resources required.  
In the proposal for a new  EU Regulation on the Generalised Scheme of Preferences (GSP 
Regulation)  for the period 2024 -203462, the Commission has  increased its support for the 
promotion of international labour standards in GSP  beneficiary countries by adding two new 
                                                           
61 https://www.ilo.org/dyn/normlex/en/f?p=NORMLEXPUB:11200:0::NO::P11200_COUNTRY_ID:103123  
62 https://trade.ec.europa.eu/doclib/press/index.cfm?id=2303  
 
16 
 labour rights conventions63 and by rendering  the export of goods made by internationally 
prohibited child labour and by f orced labour a ground to possibly withdraw t rade preferences.  
A key objective of the EU’s international partnership  policy  is to promote  decent work , 
including social protection,  in line with the EU’s strong commitment to fully implement the 
UN 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development and its  Sustainable Development Goals, 
which is also reflected in 2017 European Consensus on Development64. Social inclusion and 
decent  work, paying a particular attention to the  elimination of  child labour, is one of the 
priorities in the programming exercise for the 2021 -2027 period under the new “NDICI  – 
Global Europe ”65 to be defined at national, regional and global level . More  specifically, the 
NDICI -GE Programme on Human Rights and Democracy, as well as other thematic and 
geographic programmes, envisage dedicated actions to promote decent work for all,  including 
fighting child labour and forced labour,  in particular at country and regional levels.  NDICI -
GE support s actions , which includ e promoting social dialogue and providing assistance to 
partner countries to ratify and effectively implement up-to-date ILO conventions in particular 
fundamental and governance conventions. Further to the European Consensus, actions  will 
include  engagement with the private sector  on implementing responsible business conduct in 
global supply chains  and support  governments and businesses in partner countries in adopting 
responsible business conduct through relevant accompanying measures. It also pro vides 
opportunities to engage in partner countries with all relevant stakeholders in formalising the 
economy and reducing the informal sector, and to share best practices and approaches with 
partner countries through technical assistance . Moreover, recogni sing that many of the most 
vulnerable will continue to be emp loyed in the informal economy , development policy  will 
ensure that measures to promote decent work are extended into the informal economy . Where 
appropriate, action will be pursued with the Member States and European development 
financial institutions in the context of Team Europe Initiatives66. 
The European Union  also support actions on protecting children in humanitarian crises 
settings, i ncluding against child labour of the worst kinds67. Activities include prevention of 
and response to viol ence, family tracing and reunification, prevention, release and 
reintegration of Children Associated with Armed Forces and Armed Groups . A substantial 
investment is made to restore and maintain access to quality education for children affected 
by crises and humanitarian emergencies68. 
                                                           
63 In addition to the current 15 c ore UN/ILO conventions on human and labour rights, the new GSP Regulation adds ILO 
Conventions No. 81 on Labour Inspection and No. 144 on Tripartite Consultation.  
64 https://ec.europa.eu/international -partnerships/european -consensus -development_en  
65 Regulat ion establishing the Neighbourhood, Development and International Cooperation Instrument, (EU) 2021/947 of 
9.6.2021.  
66 https://europa.eu/capacity4dev/wbt -team -europe  
67 According to ILO, the worst kinds of child labour include slavery, child trafficking, serfdom, sexual exploitation and abuse 
as well as forced labour, including for armed forces: https://www.ilo.org/ipec/Campaignandadvocacy/Youthinaction/C182 -
Youth -orient ated/worstforms/lang --en/index.htm . 
68 https://ec.europa.eu/echo/what/humanitarian -aid/education -emergencies_en  
 
17 
 In accordance with EU enlargement policy , candidate countries and potential candidates are 
expected to fully align with th e EU’s social policy and employment acquis and standards 
before acceding to the EU. The EU continues to promote  the implementation of the European 
Pillar of Social Rights in the Western Balkans , by discussing the performance of candidate 
countries and potential candidates towards embedding principles of  the European Pillar of 
Social Rights in the Economic Reform Programme process,  and supporting our partners in 
improving their data availability and d ata collection in line with the Social Scoreboard.  The 
EU also offers financial support to promote  quality employment and supporting the effective 
enforcement of labour rules and standards across the region through the Instrument for Pre -
Accession Assistance (IPA).  
Through the European Neighbourhood Policy , the EU supports political and economic 
reforms in the EU’s Southern69 and Eastern70 neighbourhood, including the creation of decent 
jobs. The EU will share , through the  European Neighbourhood Polic y, best practices in 
human rights and fundamental labour standards, between the EU and Southern partners at 
bilateral and regional level , and in the Union for the  Mediterranean sectoral policy dialogue 
on employment and labour.  
Through financial support and other flagship initiatives, the EU will help Southern 
Neighbourhood partners to design and implement economic reforms (including on trade and 
investment) that result in decent employment, especially for women and young people, and 
support a wel l-functioning social dialogue at all levels .   
In the Eastern Partnership , policy support for decent work through investing in people and 
human capital development will remain a top priority71. The EU will also mobilise public 
sector expertise to share best  practices and approaches with  partner countries, for instance 
through TAIEX and Twinning instruments, which bring administrators in the target countries 
together with their peers from EU Member States.  
Promoting respect for labour rights in third countries is an essential part of the EU’s human 
rights policies . Building on the various instruments in this area, the EU will ensure , where 
relevant,  coverage of labour rights issues in human rights dialogues with third countries where 
labour rights violations occur, and in further human rights exchanges with third countries, 
including in exchanges by the EU Special Representative for Human Rights . 
The EU will also ensure effective implementation of labour righ ts aspects of the Human 
Rights and Democracy Country Strategies 2021 -2024 and of the Action Plan on Human 
Rights and Democracy 2020 -202472. This will include  the envisaged comprehensive EU 
                                                           
69 Renewed partnership with the Southern Neighbourhood - A new Agenda for the Mediterranean, JOIN(2021) 2 final of 
9.2.2021.  
70 Eastern Partnership  policy beyond 2020 - Reinforcing Resilience - an Eastern Partnership that delivers for all, JOIN(2020) 
7 final of 18.3.2020.  
71 Council Conclusions on Eastern Partnership policy beyond 2020, 11 May 2020.  
72 The EU Action Plan Human Rights on Human Rights an d Democracy 2020 -2024 includes as a priority (point 1.4.i): 
“Promote decent work and a human -centred future of work through an updated EU approach ensuring the respect of 
fundamental principles and rights at work, the right to safe and healthy working cond itions for all, and a world of work free 
 
 
18 
 framework for the  implement ation of  the UN Guiding Principles on Business and Human 
Rights  and the development and implementation  of national action plans . 
The EU will further promote decent work in  financing actions , for instance when 
implementing a financing operation (blending and guarantees) or by ensuring that labour 
rights are taken into account when assessing respect for human rights as a precondition for 
granting macro -financial assistance. Future macro -financial assistance programmes will cover 
decent work, as appropriate , and  the related conditions will be identified jointly by the 
Commission services and the EEAS . 
The Commission will engage with the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development to 
promote a regular update of its environmental and social policy  to align it with EU and 
international standards on supply chain responsibility, including the UN Guiding Principles 
on Business and Human Rights. Moreover, the EU will work to ensure that the labour rights 
of the workers involved when  implementing  EIB-financed schemes comply with the EIB’s 
environmental and social standards.  
Beyond the above, further bilateral and regional agreements, such as strategic EU 
Partnership and Cooperation Agreements , as well as dialogues at various levels with third 
coun tries provide an opportunity to share EU expertise in the field of labour. The EU will 
promote the inclu sion of decent work, including labour rights, in all relevant future or updated 
bilateral and regional agreements and dialogues at different levels, including strategic 
Partnership and Cooperation Agreements and all committees that implement relevant bilateral  
and regional agreements , such  as Joint Commissions and thematic subcommittees. This 
includes, for example, summits, ministerial meetings and Senior Officials Meetings in fora 
such as the Asia-Europe Meeting ( ASEM) .  
Key tools : 
- Promoting international labour standards in free trade agreements and in unilateral 
trade preferences.  
- Ensuring decent work for all as one of the main priorities  in the EU’s development 
policy and further financing actions promoting decent work , including in the context 
of Team E urope Initiatives . 
- Promoting  implementation of the European Pillar of Social Rights through the  EU 
enlargement policy and Economic Reform Programmes and supporting reforms that 
ensure decent employment in the European neighbourhood and enlargement regions . 
- Promoting respect for labour rights in third countries as an essential part of the EU’s 
human rights policies.  
- Including the promotion of decent work and labour rights in all relevant future or 
updated, bilateral and regional agreements and dialogues.  
                                                                                                                                                                                     
of violence and harassment. Promote social dialogue as well as the ratification and effective implementation of relevant ILO 
conventions and protocols. Strengthen responsible management in global supply chains and a ccess to social protection.”  
 
19 
 3.3. EU in international and multilateral fora73 
The EU supports the implementation of decent  work -related United Nations  instruments; it 
also advocates for the topic of decent work to be discussed and advanced in UN fora, 
particularly in the context of the UN 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development. The EU has 
strengthen ed its engagement in UN human rights fora and with partner countries to actively 
promote and support the global implementation of the UN Guiding Principles on Business 
and Human Rights . In this context, the EU provide s appropriate support to the work of the 
UN Working Group on Business and Human Rights and participates  constructively  in the UN 
discussions on a legally binding instrument on business and human rights with the aim to 
promote an  instrument that can effectively enhance the protection of victims of business -
related human rights violations and abuses and create a more global level playing field . The 
EU will intensify efforts to promote the Decent Work Agenda in the UN Commission for  
Social Development and in the High Level Political Forum for Sustainable Development , 
taking into account the importance of decent work for achieving the SDGs including the SDG 
8 and across the Agenda . The EU also promotes the rights of persons with disabilities 
globally, including in relation to work and employment, in line with the UN Convention on 
the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (UNCRPD), to which it is a party. The Commission 
has pledged to organise regular structured dialogues during the annual UNCRPD Conference 
of State Parties, and in the context of other existing multilateral fora, and enhance cooperation 
with a focus on accessibility and employment.  
In addition, the EU actively contributes to the International Labour Organi zation  processes 
of setting labour standards, supervising their application, and promoting their 
implementation74. The EU will further strengthen its close cooperation with the ILO based on 
the exchange of letters renewed in 2021 , particularly through joint action  in multilateral fora 
and bilateral and development  cooperation, but also through intensified information exchange, 
assistance and regular  high-level  meetings. The aim is to promote fundamental principles and 
rights at work, as well as other international labour standards, in particular through ratification 
and effective implementation of up -to-date ILO conventions and the promotion of gender 
equality.  
The EU will also engage with the ILO to promote a human -centred approach and a just 
transition to the future of work, in line with the UN 2030 Agenda  for Sustainable 
Development , the 2008 ILO Declaration on Social Justice for a Fair Globalization, the ILO 
Centenary Declaration for the Future of Work, the European Pillar of Social Rights and 
relevant European and international norms. This engagement also aims to promote social 
dialogue and work towards social protection floors and decent working conditions f or all, 
including occupational safety and health.  The EU supports  the efforts to integrate the right to 
safe and healthy working conditions into the ILO framework on fundamental principles and 
                                                           
73 See also Joint Communication on strengthening the EU’s contribution to rules -based multilateralism that underlines the 
importance of multilateralism for a fair and sustainable recovery, https://eur -lex.europa.eu/legal -
content /EN/TXT/PDF/?uri=CELEX:52021JC0003&from=EN.  
74 E.g. https://www.ilo.org/global/standards/WCMS_697996/lang --en/index.htm  
 
20 
 rights at work75. The Commission will support also the work of the ILO to develop a 
measurement framework to monitor the progresses towards a more decent world of work . 
The EU supports the reform of the World Trade Organi zation  (WTO) to further contribute 
to sustainable development and integrate the social dimension o f globalisation, and to 
promote deliberation in the WTO on how trade can support decent work and social fairness.  
The EU will advocate in the WTO for analysis and exchanges of experience, including 
through more active cooperation with the ILO on: the contribution of trade policies to social 
development; how stronger protection of workers’ rights benefits growth and development; 
and how the benefits of trade liberalisation reach all workers and disadvantaged communities.  
The Commission will also actively support further dialogue between the international 
financial institutions, the ILO, the UN and the WTO on the complementarity and consistency 
of their policies and the interdependence of economic growth, investment, trade and decent 
work.  
In its work with the Organisation for Economic Co -operation and Development  (OECD), 
the EU supports the promotion and implementation of international standards on responsible 
business conduct to facilitate business’ contribution to decent work.  The EU finances OECD -
led programmes, including on fostering due diligence for responsible business conduct in 
global supply chains76, and will continue to promote the coverage of decent work in OECD 
activities on responsible business conduct and by th e OECD Development Centre77. 
Promoting decent work in global supply chains, including eradicating child labour and forced 
labour, has been a key element of the work of the  G7 and the G20, with active EU support. In 
engaging with G7 and G20 partners, the EU will aim to ensure that decent work and social 
protection play a significant role in the G7’s and G20’s discussions , including implementing 
social aspects into the ‘building  back better’ strategies of both fora.  For example in the 2021 
G20 Rome Lead ers’ Declaration, G20 have committed, in reaction to the pandemic, to adopt 
human -centred policy approaches to promote social dialogue and to ensure greater social 
justice; safe and healthy working conditions; and decent work for all, including within global 
supply chains78. 
The Commission will also engage with the World Bank  to include decent work and a human -
centred approach as a cross -cutting requirement in the World Bank ’s work with third 
countries  and the Commission will  encourage  Member States to raise the issue of decent work 
when the  International Monetary Fund  provides financial support to third countries.  
The EU works  jointly with the Council of Europe on guaranteeing fundamental social and 
economic rights  in line with international obligations.  
 
                                                           
75 https://data.consilium.europa.eu/doc/document/ST -12765 -2019 -INIT/en/pdf  
76 http://mneguidelines.oecd.org/promoting -responsible -business -conduct -in-latin-america -and-the-caribbean.htm  
77 The EU takes part in the work of the Governing Body of the OECD Development Centre.  
78 https://www.g20.org/wp -content/uploads/2021/10/G20 -ROME -LEADERS -DECLARATION.pdf.  
 
21 
 Key tools : 
- Supporting the implementation of decent work -related United Nations instruments 
and advocating for the topic of decent work in UN fora, particularly when 
implementing the UN 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development.  
- Partnering with the ILO on EU priorities, and notably c ontributing to processes of 
setting labour standards, supervising their application and promoting their 
implementation.  
- Supporting the reform of the WTO to further contribute to sustainabl e development, 
integrate the social dimension of globalisation, and  promote deliberation in the WTO 
on how trade can support decent work and social fairness.  
- Promoting decent work in global supply chains in the declarations of the G 7 and the 
G20, working w ith the OECD on promoting and implementing international 
standards on responsible business conduct, and including decent work in cooperation 
with the International Financial Institutions.  
- Working jointly with the Council of Europe on guaranteeing fundament al social and 
economic rights in line with international obligations.  
3.4. Engagement with stakeholders and in global partnerships  
The EU promotes tripartite and bipartite European social dialogue at cross -industry and 
sectoral level, including through its support for 43 EU Sectoral Social Dialogue 
Committees . Social partners  have regularly put the promotion of decent work worldwide o n 
the agenda of Sectoral Social Dialogue Committees, for example decent work in fisheries or 
textiles. The Commission will offer  support to social partners in EU Sectoral Social Dialogue 
Committees, at their request, to launch activities on responsible sup ply chains, including 
respect for labour rights , such as  EU-wide sectoral dialogues to exchange good practices and 
enable peer -to-peer learning. This will also support workers and employers along the supply 
chain in exercising their right to organise and t o freedom of association.  
The EU also promotes civil society dialogue in  its external relations and joins forces in global 
partnerships. Interaction with civil society organisations  is a key enabling factor for 
promoting decent work through engagement with stakeholders, including in the framework of 
trade agreement negotiations and implementation, in preparation of human rights dialogues 
and on questions of development cooperation. T he EU will continue to strengthen 
engagement with civil society actors and promote safe and enabling environments for civil 
society  and labour rights defenders’ advocacy work on decent job creation .  
The EU and its Member States contribute to and support global partnerships and multi -
stakeholder initiatives  that are relevant for promoting decent work worldwide in areas such 
as just transition, occupational safety and health, social protection and social dialogue , 
including through the Global Deal initiativ e79. Considering  the EU zero -tolerance policy on 
                                                           
79 Just Energy Transition Partnership with South Africa, https://ec.europa.eu/commission/presscorner/detail/en/IP_21_5768; 
https:// www.ilo.org/global/topics/safety -and-health -at-work/programmes -projects/WCMS_740967/lang --en/index.htm ; 
 
 
22 
 child labour , the Commission will take the necessary steps to becom e a partner of the Alliance 
8.7 for the elimination of child labour, forced labour and human trafficking . The Commission 
intends to explore together with the  ILO how to scale up joint and respective efforts to ensure 
effectiveness of interventions in Alliance 8.780. 
Key tools : 
- Offering support to social partners in EU Sectoral Social Dialogue Committees to 
launch activities on respecting labour  rights in supply chains.  
- Continuing to strengthen engagement with civil society actors and promote safe and 
enabling environment for civil society.  
- Supporting global partnerships in different areas of decent work , including by 
becoming a partner of the Alliance 8.7 . 
 
4. CONCLUSIONS  
The EU is committed to  further  strengthening its role as responsible leader in the world of 
work, to stand up for workers’ rights and to prevent a race to the bottom, by using all the 
instruments at hand and developing them further.  The promotion of decent work worldwide, 
including the elimination of child labour and forced labour, is a core element of this 
endeavour.  
The promotion of decent work worldwide is key for the EU as a geopolitical player  that 
strongly supports indi vidual rights and freedoms , even more so in a rapidly transforming 
world of work and in a context of shifting global relations. It is in line with the EU’s strong 
support for multilateralism and a rules -based global order of international labour standards.  
The EU takes a leading role in ensuring that the green and digital transition of the economy 
goes hand in hand with socially just global transition. The EU will engage with its 
international partners to achieve a human -centred, sustainable, fair and inclu sive recovery 
from the COVID -19 crisis.  
The Commission invites the European Parliament and the Council to endorse the approach set 
out in this Communication and to work together to implement its actions.  
The Commission intends to  regularly  report on the st ate of implementation of this 
Communication , includ ing the EU’s commitments under the above key policy areas . 
                                                                                                                                                                                     
http://visionzero.global/vision -zero-summit -sees-launch -global-osh-coalition ; 
https://www.usp2030.org/gimi/USP2030.action ; https://www.theglobaldeal.com/ . 
80 See conclusions of 15th EC-ILO High -Level Meeting, https://www.ilo.org/wcmsp5/groups/public/ ---europe/ ---ro-geneva/ --
-ilo-brussels/documents/meetingdocument/wcms_757939.pdf.