G8 Labour and Employment Ministers met in Dresden on 6-8 May 2007 to discuss the opportunities and challenges that globalisation brings with it for the working world.

In his keynote address, OECD Secretary-General Gurría stated that domestic policies can play a major role in promoting employment opportunities arising from globalisation and reducing adjustment costs. He also noted that enterprises have a role to play in shaping the social dimension of globalisation.

The G8 Chair's conclusions reinforced this message, strongly emphasising the role of the OECD Guidelines for Multinational Enterprises: 

"we strongly encourage companies in the G8 countries and beyond to observe the OECD Guidelines for Multinational Enterprises and commit ourselves to actively supporting the dissemination of these guidelines and promoting a better governance through OECD Guidelines' National Contact Points"

"we appeal to the governments of emerging and developing countries to associate themselves with the values and standards contained in these guidelines and we note with interest the proposal to include  newly industrialised countries in a high level dialogue on social responsibility issues at the OECD"

Consult the full text of the Chair's conclusions.

Documentation and links:

• keynote address, 7 May 2007
• Background note: The contribution of the OECD Guidelines for Multinational Enterprises to managing globalisation
• G8 Labour and Employment Ministers Conference, Chair's Conclusions
• G8 2007 Summit website www.g-8.de
• OECD Guidelines for Multinational Enterprises website www.oecd.org/daf/investment/guidelines