ILO Research Department Webinar

COVID-19 and Multinational Enterprises: FDI, Trade and Decent Work in Asia Pacific

This Research Webinar will focus on the impact of the COVID-19 crisis on multinational enterprises, focusing on FDI, trade and decent work in the Asia and the Pacific region. The Webinar will present a recent ILO Brief that was prepared jointly by the ILO's Research Department, the Multinational Enterprises and Enterprise Engagement Unit of ILO's Enterprises Department, and the ILO Regional Office for Asia and the Pacific.

The COVID-19 crisis has had a strong impact on Asia and the Pacific, affecting enterprises based in the region or trading and investing within it. These enterprises, including large multinational enterprises and micro, small and medium-sized enterprises, had to put in place stringent measures to prevent the spread of the novel coronavirus. Many of them were or are still forced to halt part of their operations as a result of temporary workplace closures mandated by some governments in the region on the one hand, and of supply chain disruptions on the other. In some cases, changing demand patterns have compelled enterprises to shift or repurpose their production processes. In others, enterprises have had to find completely new ways to operate in a challenging and uncertain context. These challenges are also affecting trade and foreign direct investment (FDI) flows, which in turn has adverse impacts on the world of work, thereby contributing to the toll of this crisis on workers and livelihoods, and counteracting poverty reduction efforts.

The authors of the brief will discuss the impact on MNEs and decent work and how social dialogue can inform the design and implementation of policies to ensure a human-centred recovery.

Chair: Fredy Guayacan, Programme Manager, Responsible Supply Chains in Asia Programme

Introductory Remarks: Githa Roelans, Unit Head, MNE and Enterprise Engagement

Presenters:
  • Pelin Sekerler Richiardi, Research Officer in Economics
  • Christian Viegelahn, Labour Economist at the ILO Regional Office for Asia and the Pacific
  • Annie van Klaveren, Specialist on Multinational Enterprises and Enterprise Engagement
  • Amelie Duval, Technical Officer on Multinational Enterprises and Women’s Entrepreneurship Development
Zoom Registration: https://ilo-org.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_TJkeiO3OT--Enbs0j43J5g