Vietnam prioritises ensuring rights of female labourers: official

The Vietnamese delegation at the event (Source: VNA)

Ha made the remarks at the plenary session of the 107th the International Labour Conference in Geneva, Switzerland, on June 5.

The official cited the issuance of laws and policies in Vietnam to enable women to improve their management and leadership capacity, and easily access capital.

One of the targets of Vietnam’s national strategy on gender equality for 2011-2020 is to reduce gender gaps in the fields of economy, labour and employment, and enhance the access of poor women in rural areas and women of ethnic minority groups to economic resources and the labour market, she stressed.

She said programmes and projects on vocational training, employment, workplace safety, sustainable poverty reduction and support for female entrepreneurs have helped women approach job opportunities, join the labour market, escape from poverty and improve their economic rights.

Pointing out challenges caused by the fourth industrial revolution to women who may be weeded out from the official economy or have fewer job options, Ha stressed the need to raise public awareness of the role and potential of female labourers.

She suggested integrating gender equality into policies on human resources at the national level.

In the region, Vietnam has ran initiatives to promote women’s position such as the ASEAN Women Entrepreneurs’ Network, she said, adding that Vietnam is working with other member economies of the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) forum to materialise the APEC Gender Inclusion Guidelines, while ensuring gender equality within the UN agenda on sustainable development by 2030.

Ha thanked the International Labour Organisation (ILO) for its support for Vietnam’s approval of resolutions on the reform of social insurance and salary policies.

Vietnam has also cooperated with the organisation to prepare for the amendment of the Labour Code, as well as in the spheres of gender equality, labour relations, vocational training and workplace safety, contributing to enhancing capacity for the Vietnamese Government and its social partners.

Vietnam wishes to receive more support from the ILO and its members in accelerating the reform of labour-related laws, especially policies on social insurance and labour relations, and implementing the Vietnam-ILO national cooperation programme on sustainable employment in 2017-2021, she said.

The official affirmed Vietnam’s commitment to fulfilling its membership obligations and promoting effective collaboration with the ILO and partners in Vietnam.

The same day, Vice President of the Vietnam General Confederation of Labour (VGCL) Tran Van Ly also delivered a speech at the plenary session, introducing the Vietnamese Government’s guidelines and policies towards women.

He highlighted the VGCL’s attention to promoting gender equality, protecting rights of female workers and increasing the rate of female leaders in trade unions.

The 107th International Labour Conference, which takes place from May 28 to June 8, brings together 5,000 delegates representing Governments, employees and employers from 187 ILO member countries.

The delegates looked into a range of issues regarding violence at workplace, rights of labourers, female workers, social dialogues and the implementation of standards and cooperation mechanisms for development.