After three years of implementation from 2008 to 2011, the EU-funded Labour Market Project has made important contributions to developing Vietnam’s information system and labour market.

At a final workshop in Hanoi on July 26, Vice Minister of Labour, War Invalids and Social Affairs, Nguyen Thanh Hoa said that the 11.7 million EUR project funded by the European Union and the International Labour Organisation (ILO) helped build the Labour Market Information Centre which is linked with key areas and localities nationwide.

Additionally, the project also provided technical assistance in employment trend reporting, developing vocational skill standards and implementing the Community-Based Training for Economic Empowerment programmes for the Technical and Vocational Education and Training programme which is now underway and will benefit one million rural workers.

Rie Vejs-Kjeldgaard, Director of ILO Country Office for Vietnam said: “The pioneering role of the International Labour Organisation has not only given Vietnam a valuable labour market information system, but has also played a catalytic role in stimulating positive chain reactions of new initiatives being supported by government”.

On the occasion, medals in recognition of the contributions to the cause of labour, invalids and social affairs in Vietnam were presented to Rie Vejs-Kjeldgaard as well as to Johann Farnhammer, First Secretary, Head of Economic Development and Governance at the Delegation of the European Union to Vietnam and Vu Thi Tuan Anh, Programme Officer at the Delegation of the EU to Vietnam./.