The signing ceremony of the Việt Nam Decent Work Country Programme 2022-26 taking place in Hà Nội on Tuesday. — Photo courtesy of ILO Việt Nam

HÀ NỘI — The Decent Work Country Programme Việt Nam 2022-26 was signed between representatives of the Vietnamese Government, workers, and employers and the International Labour Organization (ILO) in Hà Nội on Tuesday.

The MoU on the programme was signed by Minister of Labour, Invalids and Social Affairs Đào Ngọc Dung, President of the Việt Nam General Confederation of Labour (VGCL) Nguyễn Đình Khang, Chairman of the Việt Nam Chamber of Commerce and Industry (VCCI) Phạm Tấn Công, President of the Vietnam Cooperative Alliance (VCA) Nguyễn Ngọc Bảo, and ILO Country Director for Việt Nam Ingrid Christensen.

The country programme provides a cooperation framework for the ILO and the Vietnamese partners until 2026 with a view to ensuring decent and sustainable work for all and that by 2026, Vietnamese people, especially those at risk of being left behind, will contribute and benefit equitably from the sustainable, inclusive, and gender-responsive economic transformation based on innovation, entrepreneurship, enhanced productivity, competitiveness, and decent work.

It also looks to ensure that people will benefit from inclusive, gender-responsive, disability-sensitive, equitable, affordable and quality social services and social protection systems; have moved further out of poverty in all its dimensions; and be empowered to reach their full potential.

Another priority of the programme is that people will benefit from and contribute to a more just, safe and inclusive society based on improved governance, more responsive institutions, strengthened rule of law and the protection of and respect for human rights, gender equality, and freedom from all forms of violence and discrimination, in line with Việt Nam’s international commitments.

Addressing the signing ceremony, labour minister Dung said that since the Decent Work Agenda was launched globally by the ILO, Việt Nam and the organisation have signed and implemented the Decent Work Country Programme for 2006-10, 2012-16, and 2017-21.

During the three phases, the ILO has always stood side by side with the tripartite constituents of Việt Nam (the Government, the workers' and employers' organisations) to effectively carry out this programme, helping to promote social equality and progress.

He affirmed that in the fourth phase, the Vietnamese Government will continue to focus on employment, human resources development, and social security in association with international economic integration in the new context, ensuring the conformity with the sustainable development strategy, the balance between economic and social targets, as well as interests of workers, enterprises, and society.

Underlining the Việt Nam General Confederation of Labour (VGCL)’s role as representing and protecting the rights and interests of workers, VGCL President Nguyễn Đình Khang shared his belief that: “The Decent Work Country Programme 2022-26 is suitable for and meets the needs of Việt Nam and of the Vietnamese Trade Union in particular towards realising the goal of decent work for all. VGCL is committed to actively participating in the implementation of specific action plans to successfully implement the Programme.”

With the role of the Việt Nam Chamber of Commerce and Industry (VCCI) in representing employers' organisations, VCCI Deputy Chairman Hoàng Quang Phòng shared the hope that the Decent Work Country Programme “is designed and implemented in a way that meets the practical needs and priorities of the social partners on labour and employment”.

These needs and priorities focus on a number of issues, including promoting labour market institutional reform; strengthening ecosystems to promote the development of industries towards inclusiveness and sustainability; and equipping workers with the knowledge and skills to meet the requirements of the digital era and the world of work.

Chairman of the Việt Nam Cooperative Alliance Nguyễn Ngọc Bảo said: “The signing of the National Framework for Decent Work demonstrates Việt Nam's responsibility as a member of the ILO and the Government of Việt Nam’s commitment towards promoting the goals in labour, employment and social protection.”

ILO Country Director Christensen noted Việt Nam's priorities concerning green jobs and productivity, social protection and security for workers, and maintenance of the effective governance of the labour market and labour relations have been highly valued.

The ILO is ready to work closely with the Vietnamese Government and social partners, she said, adding that with close cooperation among the parties, differences can be created at the national and local levels.

She also expressed her belief that the signing and the Decent Work Country Programme Việt Nam 2022-26 will be the next important step towards the common goal of promoting social equality and sustainable work for all. — VNS