Hanoi (VNA) 𓂃– A ceremony was held in Hanoi on March 28 to announce and sign the Framework for Decent Work Country Programme (DWCP) for the 2022-2026 period.

The signatories were the International Labour Organisation (ILO) and its partners, including the Ministry of Labour, Invalids and Social Affairs, the Vietnam General Confederation of Labour (VGCL), the Vietnam Chamber of Commerce and Industry, and the Vietnam Cooperative Alliance (VCA). The new DWCP sets the framework for cooperation until 2026 with the goal of achieving decent and sustainable work for all. This is Vietnam's fourth DWCP since rejoining the ILO in 1992. The first collaboration between the ILO and Vietnam was in 1994, aiming to support Vietnam in building the Labour Law in the context of establishing a new legal framework to manage the labour market during the reform process. Speaking at the signing ceremony, Minister of Labour, Invalids and Social Affairs Dao Ngoc Dung said throughout the past three cooperation cycles, the ILO has consistently worked together with Vietnam's tripartite partners to effectively carry out the DWCP, contributing to social progress and fairness. He suggested the ILO and social partners develop detailed plans to carry out the DWCP, with a priority given to further supporting the building and improvement of the labour legal system, social policies for the 2023-2030 period, and fostering stable and progressive labour relations at enterprises. Dung also hoped for increased cooperation to support the research and ratification of certain ILO conventions, including the Freedom of Association and Protection of the Right to Organise Convention No. 87 (1948). Amid rapid digital transformation, population aging and climate change, he underlined the importance of enhancing capacity to ensure a fair transition towards a green and sustainable economy. Emphasising the role of the VGCL as a representative and protector of the rights and interests of workers, VGCL Chairman Nguyen Dinh Khang believed that the Framework for the DWCP for the 2022-2026 period meets the needs of Vietnam and the VGCL in particular, aiming to achieve decent work for all. The VGCL commits to actively joining the implementation of specific action plans to successfully execute the DWCP, he said. In his role as a representative of employers' organisations, VCCI Vice Chairman Hoang Quoc Phong said VCCI expects the DWCP for the 2022-2026 period to be designed and implemented in a way that addresses practical needs and priorities related to labour and employment. These include promoting labour market institution reforms, strengthening ecosystems to promote the development of inclusive and sustainable industries, and enhancing the supply of knowledge and skills to the workforce to meet the demand of the digital era and the global job market. VCA Chairman Nguyen Ngoc Bao said the signing of the DWCP reflects Vietnam's responsibility as a member state of the ILO and the Vietnamese Government’s commitment to promoting labour, employment, and social welfare objectives. The DWCP for the 2022-2026 period reaffirms the ILO's mission to promote sustainable and productive employment opportunities for all women and men in conditions of freedom, equality, safety, and human dignity, in line with Vietnam's context. Addressing the event, ILO Country Director in Vietnam Ingrid Christensen said Vietnam's priorities regarding green and productive job creation, social protection welfare for workers, and maintenance of efficient labour market governance and labour relations are highly regarded. She believed that with the leadership of the Vietnamese Government and social partners, along with technical support from the ILO, the DWCP for the 2022-2026 period will be effectively implemented and monitored at both national and local levels. The ILO is ready to work closely with the Vietnamese Government and social partners to make a difference at the national and local levels in Vietnam, she said./.