The ILO, in collaboration with Karnataka Employers' Association (KEA), organized a two-day capacity-building workshop on responsible business conduct (RBC) for manufacturing enterprises on 2-3 February 2026 in Bengaluru, India. It brought together 65 leaders from the sector, ranging from large to small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs), to strengthen their understanding and operationalization of responsible business practices across supply chain.
The programme highlighted Responsible Business Conduct, with a particular focus on the Fundamental Principles and Rights at Work (FPRW), including freedom of association, elimination of forced and child labour, gender equality and non-discrimination, and ensuring a safe and healthy working environment. Through practical sessions, panel discussions, and peer learning, participants explored how to identify, manage, and monitor labour-related risks across operations and supply chains as part of responsible business conduct and human rights due diligence frameworks.
One of the key highlights of the workshop was given by Mr. T. R. Parasuraman, Past President and Wholetime Director, Toyota Industries Engine India Pvt. Ltd., who emphasised that India's strong demographic position places greater responsibility on the industry to pursue ethical and inclusive growth. He noted that manufacturing today must balance efficiency with social responsibility and compliance, with Responsible Business Conduct and International Labour Standards becoming increasingly important.
Mr. Kamal Bali, President and Managing Director, Volvo Group India, said, "Collaboration across industry, government and society, supported by strong values and inclusive leadership, will be key to building future-ready and responsible manufacturing ecosystems".
One of the key messages of the workshop was the importance on going beyond the compliance and strategically making an alignment with international standards on RBC, which will benefit not only companies, but also workers, society and the India's economy.
In the Indian context, frameworks such as the National Guidelines on Responsible Business Conduct (NGRBC) and Business Responsibility and Sustainability Reporting (BRSR/BRSR Core) have further underscored the importance of responsible business practices. However, many enterprises continue to seek clarity and capacity-building support to effectively implement these requirements on the ground.
Dr. G Manjunath, Additional Labour Commissioner (Industrial Relations), Government of Karnataka said, "Strong institutions, skilled people, and responsive regulations are essential for businesses to connect with global markets in a responsible way [...] Compliance should be seen as a driver of sustainable growth, not just a requirement."
Through collaborative efforts like this workshop, KEA and ILO aim to support enterprises in strengthening compliance, aligning with international standards on RBC, and building responsible supply chains that meet both domestic and global expectations.
The workshop was organized as part of the ILO project, "Building Responsible Value Chains in Asia through the Promotion of Decent Work in Business Operations (Phase II)," which is funded by the Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry (METI), Japan. The project aims to promote inclusive, responsible and sustainable enterprises and decent work in supply chains through capacity-building programmes for enterprises and ILO's constituents - government, employers and workers - in four Asian countries including India.
