Vietnamese Trade Unions in Brief Ms Dang Thi

Vietnamese Trade Unions in Brief Ms. Dang Thi Van Lam Vietnam General Confederation of Labor (VGCL) Feb, 2012

Overview of Viet Nam Area 331, 951. 4 km 2 Population 86. 97 million Men 42. 99 million 49. 4% Women 43. 98 million 50. 6% Rural 60. 95 million 70. 1% Urban 26. 02 million 29. 9% Literacy rate for population aged 15 years & over 93. 5%

Overview of Viet Nam Workforce aged 15 yrs & over 50. 6 million as at 9/2011 Agriculture & Forestry & Aquaculture Sector Industry & Construction Sector Services Sector Unemployed rate Urban areas Rural areas 2. 18% 3. 49% 1. 63% Underemployment rate 3. 15% Urban 1. 72% Rural 3. 74% 24. 8 million 10. 6 million 15. 2 million

Vietnamese Trade Unions Established 28 July 1929 Membership 7, 331, 832 (May 2011) Women 3, 635, 637 Number of Workplace Unions 108, 302

Vietnam General Confederation of Labour National Sector Unions Corp. Unions Workplace Unions Note: Corp. Unions Workplace Unions City/ Province FOL Corp. Unions Workplace Unions Direct guidance; Coordination in guidance District FOL Workplace Unions Local Sector Unions Workplace Unions Co-guidance (same level)

Vietnamese Trade Unions n Membership by sector n State sector n n n Public agencies State-own enterprises Non-state sector n n n Non-public agencies FDI enterprises Domestic enterprises 3, 821, 431 2, 606, 332 1, 215, 099 3, 510, 401 79, 734 1, 473, 286 1, 957, 381

Vietnamese Trade Unions n Workplace unions 108, 302 n By sector n State sector 76, 016 n n n Public agencies State-own enterprises Non-state sector n n n Non-public agencies FDI enterprises Domestic enterprises 72, 009 4, 007 32, 286 3, 338 4, 060 24, 888

Vietnamese Trade Unions Union Structure By Geography 63 Province/City Federation of Labour Membership 5, 750, 525 Workplace unions 101, 852 By Sector 20 Sector Unions Membership 1, 581, 307 Workplace unions 6, 450

Vietnamese Trade Unions n VGCL has the following main functions n to represent and protect the lawful and legitimate rights and interests of workers, office employees and other working people n to participate in State affairs’ governance, socioeconomic management, and monitoring and oversight of the operations of State agencies and economic organizations n to educate and motivate workers to bring into play their right as masters of the country, fulfill their citizens’ obligations, and build and defend the country of Viet Nam.

FDI & MNEs in Vietnam n Total number of FDI projects (up to 2011): 13, 496 n Total registered capital: 195 billion USD n The largest FDI investors (respectively): Korea, Taiwan, Singapore, Japan, British. Virgin. Islands, the US, Hongkong. n Key investment sectors: Electronics, processing, manufacturing.

Challenges for TU n From 1986, the country pursue renovation and market economy. In that context, TU faces many challenges. Apart from advantages: more opportunies economic growth, improved living standard… n New problems arised: - Gap between rich and poor - Inequalities, environment degradation, social problems… - Labor migration - Labor exploitation - Job unsecurity

Challenges for TU - Complex labor relations: increasing labor undress and disputes (from 1995 -2008: more than 2700 strikes and industrial actions) - Violation of labor Law and regulations by employers (wage, type of work, social security, OHS…) - Culture clash, anti- union attitude - Weakness of part of trade unions reps who have difficulties to adjust themselves to market economy - Problems from workers themselves (education, understanding of law, industrial working style)

Top priorities for future actions (Set fourth by 10 th national Congress of VGCL) n Renovating union activities n All for workplaces, for workers and union members n Focus on representation and protection of workers’ rights and interests n Building sound and constructive labor relations at work. n Building strong unions through strengthening union capacity, TU training, international solidarity and cooperation n Participation in decision making (policies for workers, revision of labor and trade union laws)

Specific targets by 2013 n Recruiting 1. 5 mil new members n Unionizing 70% workplaces n Reaching union density 60% n 70% workplaces covered with CBA n Reducing labor accidents n Having 65% wage earners covered with social insurance n Making sure 100% TU representatives get TU training n 70% workers get vocational training (now 30%)

Thank you