DRL Support to Workers’ Freedom of Association in Vietnam

The U.S. Department of State, Bureau of Democracy, Human Rights and Labor (DRL) announces an open competition for organizations interested in submitting applications for a project that supports the implementation of new Labor Code provisions related to freedom of association in Vietnam. Vietnam has taken significant steps toward ensuring its labor laws comply with international labor standards. In July 2019, Vietnam ratified ILO Convention 98 on Collective Bargaining. In October 2019, the Vietnam National Assembly passed significant amendments to the Labor Code which entered into effect January 2021. The new Code includes numerous reforms including historic provisions that allow for the formation of independent worker organizations, referred to as Workers’ Representative Organizations (WROs). How this new right will be implemented, including the process of creating and registering WROs and advancing workplace participation and collective bargaining, is still pending the finalization and publication of key implementing regulations. The ILO has been providing support to the Vietnamese Ministry of Labor and Social Affairs (MOLISA) to draft and finalize the regulations. DRL’s objective is to support reforms to and implementation of the new labor law and progressive aspects of that related to freedom of association and trade union organizing, with an overall goal of expanding freedom of association and adherence to international labor rights in Vietnam.