Deputy Minister of Labour, Invalids and Social Affairs Nguyen Trong Damhas called for businesses’ more involvement in activities supporting theimplementation of children’s rights.

He made the statement at aworkshop on children’s rights and business principles held in Ho ChiMinh City on December 9 by the United Nations Children's Fund (UNICEF)in Vietnam.

Developed by UNICEF and the UN Global Compact andSave the Children, the “Children’s Rights and Business Principles” is aset of ten principles guiding businesses to provide support for theimplementation of children’s rights through their operations.

Theprinciples are built on existing standards, initiatives and bestpractices related to businesses and children, and seek to fill gaps topresent a coherent vision for businesses to maximise the positiveimpacts and minimise negative impacts on children.

According toLara Vu from UNICEF Vietnam, the set of principles defines a series ofactions that enterprises should take to prevent activities harmful tochildren.

Irik Nyman, UNICEF regional advisor, highlighted thatthe implementation of business principles ensuring children’s rightswill bring benefits to children and society as well as long-termbenefits to enterprises.

He suggested firms be given training onchildren-related issues in order to build action plans with a view toproviding the best benefits for children.

At the event, participants discussed measures to integrate the principles into businesses’ operations.

Representativesfrom the city’s associations and businesses signed a commitment on theimplementation of the “Children’s Rights and Business Principles”.-VNA