During his two-day trip, International Labour Organization (ILO) Director-General, Gilbert F. Houngbo, held talks with Vietnamese Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh, senior Vietnamese officials, government ministers and workers’ and employers’ representatives on issues including advancing social justice and promoting decent work.

Houngbo called for greater focus on the creation of decent jobs and protection of workers’ rights. 

The ILO noted that it has worked closely with Vietnam over recent decades in many areas.

“During this time Vietnam has made significant progress in labour reforms, including with the revised 2019 Labour Code, decent employment, industrial relations, sustainable enterprises, social protection and other related social and labour policies,” the ILO stated.

“I commend Viet Nam for the progress made in the past years which has paved the way for ensuring decent work and more progressive, stable, and harmonious industrial relations in the country,” said Houngbo. “The ILO remains committed to continuing our technical support and being a trusted partner to Vietnam as together we seek to ensure that every worker in Vietnam enjoys the rights and benefits of economic development and social justice.”

During his stay, between 29–30 June, the Director-General discussed the progress of and next steps for the ILO’s cooperation work in the country with the Vietnamese Prime Minister, Pham Minh Chinh, National Assembly Chairman Vuong Dinh Hue, and Minister of Labour, Invalids and Social Affairs, Dao Ngoc Dung. He also met with representatives of workers’ organisations.

Houngbo also extended an invitation to Vietnam to become a pathfinder country for the Global Accelerator on Jobs and Social Protection for Just Transitions. The aim of the Global Accelerator programme is to direct investments to help create at least 400 million decent jobs, primarily in the green, digital and care economies, and to extend social protection coverage to the over 4 billion people currently excluded. 

The ILO stated, “The challenges experienced by Vietnam in expanding decent and productive employment and reducing informal employment in the context of rapid digitalization, an aging population and climate change, are closely aligned with the Global Accelerator’s support focus.”