A code of conduct to prevent sexual harassment at work was made publicat a seminar in Hanoi on May 25 by the Ministry of Labour, Invalid andSocial Affairs in coordination with the Vietnam General Confederation ofLabour, the Vietnam Chamber of Commerce and Industry and theInternational Labour Organisation (ILO).
Ha Dinh Bon, headof the ministry's Legal Department said the code was compiled to guidethe enforcement of stipulations relating to sexual harassment in theworkplace in the Labour Code adopted by the National Assembly in 2012 aswell as related legal documents.
The code gives practicalguidance to employers, employers' organisations, trade unions andworkers on what sexual harassment in the workplace means, how it can beprevented, and what steps should be taken if it occurs, he said.
Thecode was expected to be a foundation for employers and workers todevelop their own policy or regulation, or integrate this content intotheir existing policies or regulations to promote healthy, safe, qualityand productive workplaces.
The official stressed that thecode is applied to all enterprises, be they in public and privatesectors, and regardless of their fields and scale of operation.
Thelaunch of the code demonstrates Vietnam’s strong commitment and closecoordination of relevant parties to build necessary institutions andensure that all labourers receive equal and respectful treatmentregardless of their gender and social status.-VNA