President of the Vietnam General Confederation of Labour Bui Van Cuong (right) presents a gift to Secretary of the Council of Trade Union of New Zealand Sam Huggard Hanoi (VNA) – The Vietnam General Confederation of Labour (VGCL) and the Council of Trade Union of New Zealand (NZCTU) should cooperate in protecting each other’s guest workers and support each other at international labour forums, said VGCL President Bui Van Cuong.
At a reception for NZCTU Secretary Sam Huggard on November 21, Cuong briefed his guest on the VGCL’s structure with more than 10.5 million members.
During 2018-2023, the confederation will focus on protecting legal and legitimate rights and interests of trade union members and labourers, while revamping its operation, developing the contingent of trade union officials and stepping up communications work, he said.
It is expected to admit at least 2 million members during the period, according to the official.
He said the Vietnamese National Assembly has passed the Comprehensive and Progressive Agreement for Trans-Pacific Partnership (CPTPP) to which New Zealand is also a member.
The deal is expected to generate both opportunities and challenges for trade union orgnisations, forcing the Vietnamese trade union organisation to reform, he said, adding that the confederation is working to attract more members.
For his part Huggard, said during their stay in Vietnam, the New Zealand delegation attended a workshop on trade and decent work held by the VGCL, the International Trade Union Confederation – Asia Pacific (ITUC-AP) and the German foundation Friedrich-Ebert-Stiftung.
The visit aims to connect the NZCTU and the VCGL, he said, stressing cooperation possibilities between the two sides in protecting employees.-VNA
VNA
