Vietnam ensures green growth, safe labour migration

Vietnam attaches a lot of significance to green growth, safe labour migration and sustainable development, contributing to achieving economic development and sustainable employment goals.

A land erosion scene in Can Tho. Illustrative photo (Source: VNA)
A land erosion scene in Can Tho. Illustrative photo (Source: VNA)

Vice President of the Vietnam General Confederation of Labour (VGCL), Tran Thanh Hai, made the statement at the ongoing 106th International Labour Conference of the International Labour Organisation (ILO) in Geneva, Switzerland, from June 12-16.

Hai highlighted the contribution that Vietnamese guest workers have made to Vietnam.

Between 80,000 – 90,000 Vietnamese labourers have worked abroad or undertook apprenticeships each year since 2007. Many have since completed their contracts and returned home with occupational skills, experience and knowledge.

The VGCL has pushed policies to create a legal framework for Vietnamese guest labourers. The organisation has also signed deals, with its counterparts in the host nations, to support and protect Vietnamese labourers, Hai said.

On June 12, Deputy Minister of Labour, Invalids and Social Affairs, Dao Hong Lan, underlined Vietnam’s interest in the ILO General Director Guy Rider’s report on employment, amidst climate change and green initiatives.

Vietnam, as one of the nations most at risks from climate change, has worked to adapt to the challenge of climate change at various levels, to protect vulnerable groups and promote green growth, Lan affirmed.

The Government of Vietnam has launched numerous programmes on vocational training, while promoting social welfare and expanding social insurance coverage.

Vietnam has made efforts to complete a legal framework and policies on labour and employment, as well as implementing the rights of labourers, ensuring social welfare for those that need it, particularly women, children, the disabled and the elderly.

The country has looked to consolidate the state management mechanism on labour relations and vocational education to improve labour relationships and human resource quality.

On the fringes of the conference, the Vietnamese delegation met with ILO General Director Guy Rider and Secretary General of the World Federation of Trade Unions George Mavsikos, as well as leaders of trade unions from Australia, Singapore, Laos, Belarus, Cuba, Sweden, Switzerland, the US, and China.

The annual event, taking place from June 5 saw the participation of 4,000 representatives from governments, trade union organisations and employers from 187 ILO member nations.