An initial partnership with the two organisations was announced last year but the MoU now formalises the agreement.

It is Tokyo 2020’s first partnership with a UN organisation, as well as being the first time the ILO has officially entered into a relationship with an Olympic and Paralympic Organising Committee.

The partnership will encourage delivery partners to play a positive role in promoting decent work through a commitment to corporate social responsibility, as they seek to advance "decent work", it is claimed.

Socially responsible labour practices will be promoted to all delivery partners of the Games, including sponsors, suppliers and licensees.

It is hoped it will contribute to spreading worldwide positive reform through sport.

"I am very pleased to be able to conclude this agreement today," Toshirō Mutō, Tokyo 2020 chief executive, said.

“In line with the IOC’s Olympic Agenda 2020 and the UN’s Sustainable Development Goals, the Tokyo 2020 Organising Committee has integrated sustainability in many aspects of the Games preparations.

"Tokyo 2020’s sustainable sourcing code additionally incorporates many aspects of labour practices.

"The ILO and Tokyo 2020 agree to build a cooperative relationship towards the realisation of decent work, which is also one of the sustainable development goals, and will ultimately lead to the success of the Tokyo 2020 Games."

The partnership will focus on raising awareness among the general public of the labour dimension of corporate social responsibility through the organisation of events such as an annual forum on sustainability and decent work.

It will also look at the collection and promotion of good practices among the Games’ delivery partners on socially responsible labour practices, which are that are guided by the ILO Multinational Enterprises and Social Policy (MNE) Declaration

Technical assistance will be provided to help build the capacities of the Games’ delivery partners through seminars, workshops and roundtables.

The partnership will also look to develop tools to support partners in implementing socially responsible labour practices that realise the principles of the ILO MNE declaration.

"I congratulate Tokyo 2020 for making the Games a vehicle for ‘decent work’ – work carried out in conditions of freedom, equity security and human dignity," Guy Ryder, director general of the ILO, said. 

"Through this partnership we are committing together to uphold respect for international labour standards for all the women and men who will work hard to make the Games a reality in 2020.

"There may be challenges along the way, but with determination and joint action we can contribute towards attaining sustainable development through the generation of more and better jobs for all.

"The ILO will share its global expertise and experience in the practical application of labour standards."