Maintaining good labour standards is increasingly part of doing business for enterprises. This is the business case for improved labour conditions.

Improving labour conditions helps enterprises compete because they can:

• have greater market access particularly with buyers concerned about labour conditions in their supply chains;
  
• take advantage of trade agreements, finance and investment options that reward good labour conditions;
  
• improve their productivity and quality.
  
  

Documentation of the business case, particularly on productivity and quality at the enterprise level, is a priority for Better Work. It is part of the impact assessment strategy. This will help build business support for improving labour conditions.

The business case is not the only reason for improving labour conditions. There are many other reasons such as the importance of respecting human rights and pro-poor development.