Seminar looks into impacts of COVID-19 on garment, footwear workers

The COVID-19 pandemic has caused nearly 3 million workers to stop working, quit and lose their jobs (Photo: VNA)

Hanoi (VNA) – An online seminar spotlighting impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic on footwear and garment workers and trade union activities was held by the Vietnam General Confederation of Labour (VGCL)’s Institute for Workers and Trade Unions (IWTU), and the Netherlands Trade Union Confederation  in Hanoi on December 28.

Addressing the event, deputy director of the IWTU Nhac Phan Linh said enterprises operating in the garment and footwear industries in Vietnam have faced many challenges and difficulties caused by the COVID-19 pandemic during the past two years.

According to Linh, although the textile and garment industry recorded growth again after major markets such as the US, the EU, and Japan re-opened, many enterprises, especially those in the southern region, still have to refuse new orders due to lack of labourers,  and high costs for production and pandemic control.

The seminar offers a chance for participants to discuss and evaluate the impact of COVID-19 on the aspects of employment and life of garment and footwear workers, as well as the involvement and role of trade unions in protecting employees from the pandemic’s effects, and in supporting enterprises to overcome difficulties and safely and flexibly adapt to the pandemic.

Delegates of Ho Chi Minh City and Bac Giang proposed measures to support businesses and workers in the two sectors in living with the pandemic, and preventing any disruptions to human resource chains of the industries.

According to deputy head of VGCL’s Labour Relations Department Ho Thi Kim Ngan, the COVID-19 pandemic has caused nearly 3 million workers to stop working, quit and lose their jobs, suspend labour contracts or take unpaid leave.

Trade unions have taken many policies to support their members and employees, she said, adding that the role of trade unions in dialogue and negotiation needs to be strongly promoted in 2022 to help workers effectively cope with the pandemic./.