Expert discussion at the Multi-stake Holder Forum (MSF) 2021. — Photo courtesy of the organisers

HÀ NỘI — The Fourth Industrial Revolution is both creating opportunities and posing challenges to developed countries and countries entering the 4.0 revolution, including Việt Nam, from a perspective of readiness, ability integration and adaptation of the workforce.

To prepare the national workforce for the coming digital economy, multilateral cooperation initiatives that keep up with the requirements of the corporate environment, as well as in society generally, are needed.

This information was released at the Multi-stake Holder Forum (MSF) 2021 with the theme “Partnership in preparing a future-ready workforce for an inclusive digital economy in Việt Nam”, held in Hà Nội on Thursday. The forum was jointly organised by the Việt Nam Chamber of Commerce and Industry (VCCI) and the Việt Nam General Confederation of Labour and Samsung, under the technical co-operation of Việt Nam Business Council for Sustainable Development and Institute for Development and Community Health (LIGHT).

Phạm Tấn Công, the VCCI’s chairman said: “The inclusive digital economy enables all employees and businesses to contribute to the growth process and enjoy the results of that growth. This is completely in line with the sustainable development goals set by the Vietnamese Government, most recently the National Action Plan to implement the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development in response to the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals.”

Công said that as a national organisation representing employers in Việt Nam, VCCI always worked closely with the stakeholders in developing and promoting harmonious and progressive labour relations at enterprises, as well as solving the problem of a skilled workforce that meets the requirements of businesses and the economy. This included training skills for vulnerable groups such as women and young people. 

This was also achieved through co-organising stakeholders including VCCI, Samsung Vietnam and the Việt Nam General Confederation of Labour for this year's Multi-Stakeholder Forum 2021. The aim was to build harmonious labour relations in the inclusive digital economy, bringing both economic and human values.

Ngô Duy Hiểu, Vice President of the Việt Nam General Confederation of Labour said: "The COVID-19 pandemic has created unprecedented difficulties for the majority of employees and the business community. Resonating with the enormous challenges from the Industrial Revolution 4.0, it has set unprecedented and extremely difficult demands for every single employee in the present and future. Only quickly changing mindsets, catching up on awareness, improving self-efficacy, and finding the fastest approach will help employees have firm foothold in their work and be proactive in life and not be left behind. As a representative organisation of employees in Việt Nam, the Việt Nam Trade Union wishes and believes that all stakeholders will work together in good faith. This will help to define a common vision and come up with effective solutions to improve the adaptability of employees amid rapidly changing socio-economic conditions while industrial relations 4.0 is getting clearer.”

Choi Joo Ho, President of Samsung Vietnam, delivers a speech at the event. — Photo courtesy of the firm

Choi Joo Ho, President of Samsung Việt Nam, said: “The global crisis caused by COVID-19 in the past two years has not only caused difficulties for the world economy but also poses unprecedented challenges to the competitive advantages that Việt Nam has built up in the global supply chain. On the way to overcome and fight against the COVID-19 pandemic, we are more and more aware of the value of health and life, and once again Samsung's business philosophy, 'People first', is inspired and motivated. Through the 2021 multi-stakeholder forum, Samsung hopes to be able to share more of our insights with stakeholders and discuss with them the new opportunities that the Fourth Industrial Revolution has brought for employees, especially the vulnerable, in accessing learning and development opportunities. This will make a positive and useful contribution to the sustainable development of Việt Nam.”

The Multi-Stakeholder Forum (MSF) is an initiative of Samsung Vietnam, which has been held annually in Việt Nam since 2018. The forum aims to connect the knowledge, enthusiasm, resources and energy of all stakeholders, including policymakers, NGOs, civil society, experts, researchers and businesses. Through this annual event, ideas, solutions and initiatives are shared and discussed, from which inspiration for action is spread, contributing to solving Việt Nam’s important social problems effectively.

The forum was attended by more than 300 delegates from government agencies, ministries, sectors, non-governmental organisations, social organisations, associations, businesses, research institutes, international and domestic trade union organisations, and professionals to participate directly at the event and through an online form. — VNS