The Tripartite Declaration of Principles concerning Multinational Enterprises and Social Policy was adopted in 1977 by the governing body of the International Labor Office (ILO) and reflects a consensus among governments, trade unions and federations of commercial and industrial enterprises. It was revised in 2006. The Declaration contains comprehensive guidelines for multinational enterprises regarding labor and social standards. It also calls upon governments to adhere to the ILO principles when formulating national law. Companies are expected to comply with national labor standards as well as with the ILO principles.  

The ILO and its activities are based on four fundamental principles (core labor standards):

1. Freedom of association and the right to collective bargaining
2. Elimination of discrimination in respect of employment and occupation
3. Elimination of forced or compulsory labor
4. Abolition of child labor