HCM City (VNA) – A programme was launched in Ho Chi Minh City on January 16 to support businesses in Vietnam in measuring and implementing comprehensive ESG (Environmental, Social and Governance) practices in human resources management to improve their competitive edge in the global supply chain.
The GEARS@VIETNAM programme is supported by Investing in Women, an initiative of the Australian government to catalyse inclusive economic growth through women's economic empowerment in Vietnam, Indonesia, Myanmar, the Philippines. In Vietnam, the programme is jointly implemented through a strategic partnership between the social enterprise ECUE and the Business Studies & Assistance Centre (BSA).
It aims to raise awareness and skills of, and support for businesses in applying the GEARS (Gender Equality Assessment, Results, Strategies) toolkit, which is specifically designed for the ASEAN market based on a comprehensive diagnostic tool developed by Australia’s Workplace Gender Equality Agency (WGEA) in collaboration with Southeast Asian partner, with the support of Investing in Women.
GEARS assists businesses in measuring and strategising the management and development of their human resources, with results that can be incorporated into sustainable development reports. The toolkit encompasses 13 interconnected aspects related to gender in production and business environments, including recruitment, policies, compensation, promotions, prevention of harassment and discrimination, and ensuring gender equality across the supply chain.
BSA Director Vu Kim Hanh said that in businesses’ integration journey, adapting to global sustainability standards is essential, so in addition to the environmental factor within the ESG framework, BSA has also initiated a programme this year to support businesses in meeting standards related to the social and governance elements.
GEARS@VIETNAM provides the business community with valuable insights and feasible solutions to prepare for an emerging trend in ESG standards – the gender equality in the workplace, Hanh said, adding that this is the key to helping businesses attract investment resources in the context of new competition.
It is designed to help businesses strategically and comprehensively address gender, diversity, and inclusion-related issues in the workplace, ECUE Director Le Quang Binh said, noting that participating in this programme provides businesses with opportunities to gain solid validation and evidence of their social responsibility, thus supporting their ESG reporting.
Through reports and verification provided by GEARS@VIETNAM, businesses gain an advantage in improving their brands’ reputation, attracting buyers, and succeeding in export markets, Binh went on.
According to Maya Juwita, Workplace Gender Equality Director at Investing in Women, the ECUE - BSA partnership marks a significant step toward creating more inclusive and equitable workplaces across the country by combining the expertise and resources of all stakeholders./.
