Social dialogue

Harnessing social dialogue for Viet Nam’s sustainable future

How can social dialogue pave the way for inclusive growth and sustainable development? An event in Hanoi brought together experts and stakeholders to discuss and share the ILO’s latest report and relevance to Viet Nam’s context.

20 December 2024

Content also available in: tiếng Việt

HANOI (ILO News) – On 18 December 2024, the ILO Country Office for Viet Nam hosted a launch of the Social Dialogue Report 2024: Peak-level social dialogue for economic development and social progress. The newly released report, launched earlier globally on 11 December, highlights how social dialogue can serve as a critical tool for fostering economic development and social progress, particularly during times of economic and geopolitical uncertainty. It underscores its importance in ensuring fair and inclusive low-carbon and digital transitions while advancing decent work, equitable income distribution, and a renewed social contract for peace and prosperity.

The event in Hanoi brought together representatives and experts from the Ministry of Labour and Social Affairs (MoLISA), the Ministry of Justice, the Viet Nam General Confederation of Labour, the Viet Nam Chamber of Commerce and Industry, the Department of Labour, Invalids and Social Affairs, academia, enterprises, international organizations, and UN agencies, with participation from the Canadian Embassy to Viet Nam, adding valuable perspectives to the discussions.

Participants review key findings from the ILO Social Dialogue Report 2024, exploring its implications for Viet Nam.

Ingrid Christensen, Country Director of the ILO Viet Nam, emphasized that social dialogue is a cornerstone of the organization’s principles. She noted that in 2013, the ILO Governing Body adopted guidance for recurrent discussions on this strategic objective.

In Viet Nam, social dialogue has been enshrined in labour regulations, including the Labour Codes of 2012 and 2019, which introduced significant updates on collective bargaining. It is also integral to the Law on Democracy at the Grassroots Level, providing employees with more opportunities to exercise their rights and responsibilities in industrial relations.

Social dialogue is a key component of the Decent Work Country Programme for Viet Nam 2022-26, signed by the ILO and representatives of the Government, workers’ and employers’ organizations. The programme reflects a commitment to strengthening mechanisms that enhance labour market governance and industrial relations.

Expressing pride in this collaboration, Christensen encouraged participants to share insights on social dialogue practices in Viet Nam and propose practical recommendations for more effective implementation. This, she noted, would contribute to sustained progress in labour relations and broader socio-economic development.

Andrea Marinucci, Social Dialogue Officer from the ILO LABGOV, Geneva, presented highlights from the report. Discussions among national experts centred on strategic activities, legal frameworks, enterprise-level practices, and the role of workers in Viet Nam. Recommendations included strengthening dissemination, leveraging media, and integrating social dialogue into educational initiatives.

Participants agreed that the report offers valuable insights for Viet Nam, especially in a rapidly evolving labour landscape shaped by technological advances, climate change, and demographic shifts. Social dialogue, as different speakers highlighted, is a proven governance model that fosters social justice, inclusive economic growth, better wages, and improved working conditions. By learning from global best practices, Viet Nam can harness these opportunities to thrive in the new era.

On this occasion, the ILO also facilitated technical discussions on two industrial relations tools: the Enterprise Industrial Relations Diagnostic Tool and the Labour Mediation Case Management Record. Developed by the Department of Industrial Relations and Wage (MoLISA), with ILO’s support, these tools aim to enhance sustainable and harmonious industrial relations in Viet Nam. Stakeholders provided feedback and suggestions to finalize the tools, reinforcing their alignment with progressive industrial relations development goals.

The discussions and initiatives highlighted during the event align with ongoing efforts to strengthen social dialogue mechanisms in Viet Nam. These efforts are being implemented under the project: Support to the State Management Agencies of Labour’s Role as Mediator and Promoter of Collective Bargaining and Social Dialogue (NIRS Canada), with funding from the Government of Canada. This project underscores the shared commitment to fostering effective labour market governance, promoting collective bargaining, and advancing social dialogue for sustainable and inclusive development.