Minister of Labour, Invalids and Social Affairs Pham Thi Hai Chuyen (Photo: VNA)Sofia (VNA) – Minister of Labour, Invalids and Social Affairs Pham Thi Hai Chuyen attended the fifth Labour and Employment Ministers’ Conference of the Asia-Europe Meeting (ASEM) in the Bulgarian capital city of Sofia on December 2-4.
Themed “Towards Sustainable Social Development in Asia and Europe: A Joint Vision for Decent Work and Social Protection”, the event attracted representatives from 41 out of the 51 ASEM member states.
In her speech, Chuyen underscored achievements that Vietnam has made over the past three years, including promoting sustainable employment and ensuring labour safety and welfare.
She pointed out challenges facing Vietnam such as low workforce quality, labour output and competitiveness, particularly in rural areas and small and medium-sized enterprises; as well as issues involving labour market and labour movement management.
The minister hailed the ASEM member countries for generating sustainable jobs for youths and vulnerable labour groups, stepping up the launch of an effective social welfare platform built by themselves and the application of the International Labour Organisation’s basic labour standards.
Chuyen also called on the ASEM member countries to extend their liaisons at forums within the global, regional and ASEM frameworks with a view to boosting social dialogues and in-depth discussions on labour policy and social welfares.
Participants discussed models of promoting sustainable employment, labour safety and welfare based on increasing public partnerships in law reform and sustainable vocational training.
Concluding the event, they adopted the Sofia Declaration focusing on youth labour market, the promotion of sustainable employment, safe working conditions in the global supply chain and a comprehensive social welfare system towards growth and employment.
During her stay, Minister Chuyen also met bilaterally with the Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Health, Labour and Welfare of Japan, and the Deputy Minister of Employment and Labour of the Republic of Korea.-VNA
