The application of sectoral collective bargaining agreements (CBAs) has raised awareness of both employers and employees of developing win-win industrial relations, a workshop heard.

The function was organised by the Ministry of Labour, Invalids and Social Affairs (MOLISA) in Ho Chi Minh City on February 24.

The textile and apparel industry was the first to sign CBAs at a sectoral level in 2010. To date, more than 100 businesses with over 136,000 labourers have inked the agreements.

Under the documents, a number of terms benefiting employees have been realised, for example those related to salary, food expenses and allowance, reports read.

Truong Van Cam, Vice Chairman of the Vietnam Textile and Apparel Trade Union, said since CBAs were applied, there have not been any serious labour disputes that led to strikes in this sector.

Following the southern province of Binh Duong, the first to pilot CBAs in the textile and garment industry in September 2011, the agreements are expected to be signed by the textile and apparel trade unions in Hanoi and HCM City, together with construction and rubber sectors.

Deputy head of the MOLISA’s Department of Labour and Wage Le Xuan Thanh said CBAs are important to build harmonious and stable industrial relations. They will better ensure employees’ rights, improve the sense of responsibility of all sides to observe laws, and reduce labour disputes and strikes.-VNA