Press conference introducing the Action Month on Occupational Safety and Hygiene in 2006, which will take place in May. — VNA/VNS Photo

HÀ NỘI — Workplace safety in Việt Nam is set to move from manual oversight to modern, digital management and the use of artificial intelligence (AI), Vũ Trọng Bình, director of the Employment Department at the Ministry of Home Affairs, said.

Management and performance of occupational safety must change comprehensively from central to grass‑roots levels and from State agencies to enterprises, in line with the spirit of the Party Congress, Bình told a press conference introducing the Month of Action on Occupational Safety and Hygiene 2006 and reporting on occupation-related accidents in 2025 in Hà Nội on Friday.

The Month of Action on Occupational Safety and Hygiene 2006 will take place from May 1 to 31 under the theme Innovating management and improving the effectiveness of occupational safety and health in the digital age.

The highlight of this year’s Action Month is the strong message of transformation towards digital governance and the application of AI, along with positive signs as material losses from workplace accidents fell by more than VNĐ28 trillion ($1 billion) last year, Bình said.

“The Employment Department has submitted a plan to amend the Law on Occupational Safety and Health in 2026, and simultaneously submitted to the Government a Decree on occupational safety management with the spirit of comprehensive innovation, strong decentralisation, promotion of digitalisation and AI application,” Bình said.

“Safety is a legitimate right of workers and businesses have a responsibility to seriously implement it. This is also one of the important goals of the Party and the State.”

The launching ceremony is expected to take place officially on April 24 in Quảng Ninh Province, in conjunction with the launch of Workers’ Month.

The event also serves as a practical activity marking the 140th anniversary of International Labour Day (May 1) and World Day for Safety and Health at Work (April 28).

Throughout the Action Month, practical activities will be implemented across central and local levels, including enforcing Directive 31-CT/TW of the Party Central Committee; organising dialogues of national and provincial councils on occupational safety and health; and visiting victims and relatives affected by occupational accidents and diseases.

Functional agencies will also strengthen inspections and guide self-inspections at enterprises and production facilities, combined with conferences, seminars and in-depth training to raise awareness of occupational safety in the digital age.

According to the ministry’s report, more than 7,000 occupation-related accidents occurred last year, down 15.4 per cent compared with 2024.

Notably, both the number of fatal workplace accidents and fatalities fell sharply, especially in areas with established labour relations.

The country recorded 621 fatal workplace accidents, a decrease of 9.33 per cent, resulting in 658 deaths, down 9.49 per cent.

Material losses from workplace accidents fell significantly, from over VNĐ42.5 trillion ($1.5 billion) in 2024 to just VNĐ14 trillion ($530 million) in 2025. — VNS