Vietnam prioritises sustainable jobs for citizens

Garment - textile companies paying attention to improve skills of female labourers see an increase in productivity (Photo: VietnamPlus)

Hanoi (VNA) - The Vietnamese Government is consistent on the fact that it functions on behalf of all citizens and that they need suitable vocations provided in a comprehensive, inclusive and sustainable manner, promoting social fairness for all. 

On behalf of a delegation from the Vietnamese Government, Minister of Labour, Invalids and Social Affairs, Dao Ngoc Dung delivered a speech at the 110th session of the International Labour Conference (ILC 110) held in-person and virtually on June 8, 2022.

The session was held in hybrid form at the headquarters of the International Labour Organisation (ILO) in Switzerland, with the participation of more than 4,000 representatives. The participants were all ILO members of government agencies, workers and employers from 187 countries and territories. 

The Vietnamese delegation, led by Minister of Labour, Invalids and Social Affairs Dao Ngoc Dung, included organisations representing workers and employers.

The ILC 110, taking place from May 27 to June 11, comprises a plenary session and meetings of ILO committees. A high-ranking plenary session from June 6 to 9 saw the attendance of leaders of nations, ministers and heads of delegations who are set to deliver speeches on satisfying jobs and a unified economy.

At a discussion panel, Dung spoke highly of this year’s topic and pledged to support initiatives and actions by ILO that promote suitable jobs and an unified economy, adding that they contribute to the realisation of an agenda on sustainable development to 2030 of the United Nations.

The Labour Minister stated that these initiatives are also priorities of the Vietnamese Government. During COVID-19 outbreaks in the past two years, alongside prevention and control measures, the National Assembly and Government had issued and carried out social welfare policies as well as called for engagement of all people to uphold the spirit of ‘the haves help the have-nots’.

As a result, the country has successfully brought COVID-19 under control and the national economy is recovering swiftly. Vietnam’s gross domestic product expanded 5.03 percent in the first quarter and as the labour market revived, the unemployment rate stood at only 2.46 percent. 

Vietnam currently has a collective economic sector comprising in excess of 27,000 cooperatives, and 120,000 partnership groups, among others, drawing the participation of 33 percent of households in rural areas.

Dung affirmed that the collective economy greatly contributes to national economic growth and restructuring. This includes the agricultural economy, plus climate change adaptation and the shift towards green and sustainable development. 

Minister of Labour, Invalids and Social Affairs Dao Ngoc Dung speaks at the ILC 110 held via video conference. (Photo: VietnamPlus)

With an aim to create satisfying jobs for all, the Prime Minister has issued an implementation plan for Conventions No 98 and No 105 by the ILO on removing forced labour, and promulgating specific groups of tasks.

At present, Vietnam is also considering participating in the remaining one - Convention No 87 on Freedom of Association and Protection of the Right to Organise.

The Vietnamese Government and relevant organisations are revising and amending the laws on social security, jobs, trade union, and cooperatives. They are building guiding documents for the implementation of the 2019 Labour Code and at the same time rolling out activities to bolster the application of international labour criteria in Vietnam.

Vietnam pledges to join hands with ILO members to address challenges in job creation in the coming time and hopes to further receive assistance and support from the ILO and its members, the minister underlined. 

Outcomes of the ILC 110 are expected to open up major orientations for the planning and execution of labour, job and social welfare policies in Vietnam and other economies amid the uncertainty following the COVID-19 pandemic./.