A Dutch “Smart-mix”? International responsible business conduct, (Fundamental) labour standards and the sectoral agreements in the Netherlands

A key strategy for effectively implementing and promoting International Responsible Business Conduct (IRBC) is securing a “smart-mix” of different – binding, voluntary, public, and private – regulatory mechanisms. The international normative basis for all these instruments is found in the voluntary frameworks developed by the UN, OECD, and ILO. The Fundamental Labour Standards of the International Labour Organization play a central role within IRBC as some of the most basic rights that are to be respected by corporations throughout their global value chains. Taking the international IRBC framework and the Fundamental Labour Standards as a starting point, this article assesses and evaluates some of the Dutch attempts to create and facilitate a smart-mix of IRBC instruments. The article focusses in particular on the Dutch sectoral agreements; multi-stakeholder IRBC instruments that emphasize a collaborative approach between business actors, civil society organizations and the government.