News

UNI Apro organised a forum jointly with the Vietnam General Confederation of Labour (VGCL) on 24 November to discuss about possible effects affecting labour relations from regional economic integration and free trade agreements that Vietnam is entering into. The forum was well attended by the UNI Apro Commerce Committee Members, Vietnam Commerce Network, VGCL and national union leaders. 

Sis Hoang Thi Thanh, representing the VGCL’s Presidium, put on record in her opening speech, VGCL's gratitude to Brother Christopher Ng and UNI Apro for supporting the Vietnamese trade union movement over the past 20 years. The VGCL recognised that changes stemming from regional economic integration and FTAs obligations would require some reforms in Vietnam’s current industrial and labour relations system. Sis Hoang urged the trade union leaders to ensure that all workers can enjoy the benefits of the FTAs. This is critical in order to ensure Vietnam can promote equitable growth based on social justice.

Bro Christopher Ng, Regional Secretary UNI Apro, built on Sister Hoang’s key points in his remarks and highlighted the possible impact of economic integration and FTAs can have on national economies and workers’ lives. He urged the trade union movement to re-examine their roles in defending workers’ interests and call upon governments to improve their institutional practices so that the views of the trade unions are taken seriously into consideration in future policy and law developments.

While the Trans Pacific Partnership Agreement (TPPA) may not materialise in the short term, there are other agreements like the Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnerships (RCEP) which also require attention. He emphasized on the need to assert the social dimension in both the ASEAN Economic Community (AEC) and RCEP and the adoption of the equivalent of the TPPA labour chapter. 

The rest of the forum saw a healthy interaction between the Vietnamese participants and trade union leaders from other parts of the region. Some of the key leaders involved include: Bro Le Dinh Quang (VGCL Vietnam), Bro Akitoshi Tsuda (JAW Japan), Bro Shoichi Hachino (UA ZENSEN Japan), Bro Surah R Mukundan (SMMWU Singapore) and Bro Kun Wardana Abyoto (Indonesia).

The leaders shared their country experience on the issue of labour obligations and reforms. One pertinent point that attracted keen interest from the floor during the Questions and Answer sessions is on how unions can work towards coordinating among multiple unions within an enterprise to protect the rights and benefits for workers.