Vietnam joins two international conventions on labour

A meeting was held in Hanoi on September 13 to announce Vietnam’s admission, which signifies its international commitment to labor issues.

ILO Country Director Chang-Hee Lee delivers a speech at the meeting in Hanoi on September 13, 2019.

Convention 88 stipulates the functions, missions, and organization of the public employment service system. Becoming a member will help Vietnam fine-tune its legal framework on employment and employment services, which will be professionally developed to meet the market’s increasing demands.

Joining Convention 159 demonstrates Vietnam’s focus on policies for people with disabilities, helping them integrate into the community sustainably through vocational rehabilitation, employment, and domestic maintenance.

ILO Country Director Chang-Hee Lee said, “Vietnam’s admission to these two conventions have further proved Vietnam’s commitment to eliminating discrimination and also increasing opportunities for all workers. Both conventions are relevant to Vietnam’s today challenges.

Economic organization increasingly demand the establishment of formal mechanism for improved connection. Vietnam has clearly indicated its efforts towards becoming a middle income country and also desires to move to inclusive growth. Vietnam can provide access of equal opportunities for all and for a fair and more effective labor market if Vietnam meets objectives of both conventions.”

Deputy Minister of Labor, Invalids, and Social Affairs Nguyen Thi Ha addresses the meeting.

Deputy Minister of Labor, Invalids, and Social Affairs Nguyen Thi Ha said, “To honor Convention 88, Vietnam needs to improve its laws and the organization of employment services for stronger connectivity between employment agencies and businesses.

Attention should be paid to regulating their functions, financial issues, and operation fees. Realizing Convention 159 requires Vietnam to gauge the levels of disabilities based on laborers’ vocational ability to ensure fair opportunities and treatment of people with and without disabilities.”

The ILO Conventions 88 and 159 will take effect in Vietnam next January and March, respectively.