PBI-Canada notes language on trade unions and workers in UN talks on a Binding Treaty on business and human rights
Photo: United Nations Headquarters, Geneva. Photo by John Samuel.
The United Nations Human Rights Council open-ended intergovernmental working group on transnational corporations and other business enterprises with respect to human rights (OEIGWG) held its 11th negotiation session on a Binding Treaty on Business and Human Rights from October 20 to 24, 2025 in Geneva, Switzerland.
PBI-Canada recognizes trade union activists, who continue to be under attack for their work, as human rights defenders.
The version of the Draft Treaty that was negotiated last week makes two references to trade unions and workers:
6.2. State Parties shall adopt appropriate legislative, regulatory, and other measures to: (d) promote the active and meaningful participation of individuals and groups, such as trade unions, civil society, non-governmental organizations, indigenous peoples, and community-based organizations, in the development and implementation of laws, policies and other measures to prevent the involvement of business enterprises in human rights abuse.
6.4. Measures to achieve the ends referred to in Article 6.2 shall include legally enforceable requirements for business enterprises to undertake human rights due diligence as well as such supporting or ancillary measures as may be needed to ensure that business enterprises while carrying out human rights due diligence: (e) protect the safety of human rights defenders, journalists, workers, members of indigenous peoples, among others, as well as those who may be subject to retaliation.
The negotiations
For updates from the Business and Human Rights Resource Centre (BHRRC), go to Day 1: Monday 20 October, Day 2: Tuesday 21 October, Day 3: Wednesday 22 October, Day 4: Thursday 23 October and Day 5: Friday 24 October.
The update from Day 4 notes: “After the discussion on the proposals, the Chairperson-Rapporteur presented the OEIGWG’s 2026 draft roadmap. It was approved following his responses to states and non-state stakeholders, including a clarification that no new draft of the instrument will be produced ahead of the 12th session.”
Next steps
That draft roadmap indicates that the 12th session of the open-ended intergovernmental working group on transnational corporations and other business enterprises with respect to human rights (OEIGWG) will be held on October 19 to 23, 2026.
Just prior to this round, ABC Colombia and Corporate Justice Coalition noted that the process intends to bring “forward a revised updated draft text in 2027.”
And in a press release issued on October 21, Dismantle Corporate Power highlighted the raised “expectations that the treaty could be finalised within the next two to five years”, which would suggest late 2027 to 2030.
We continue to follow this.
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