Every two years since 2006, the meeting brings together the VGCL and its international cooperation partners to exchange information and coordinate activities to protect and promote workers’ rights in Vietnam.
The 2016 coordination meeting focused on the trade union reform agenda expected to take place in the coming years in response to challenges of international integration. The partners agreed in principle to adopt a joint platform on partnership for trade union development cooperation in Vietnam.
The joint platform provides common principles for partnership aiming to facilitate effective cooperation in Vietnam with the VGCL, as well as new emerging labour unions in the coming period.
Annie Adviento, IndustriALL regional secretary, says that IndustriALL participates in the meeting to promote effective cooperation with the VGCL and coordination between GUFs and TUSSOs:
“We appreciate the VGCL’s proactive approach to initiate changes in their structure, action plans and strategies in the years to come.
“IndustriALL will continue to work with the VGCL and our three affiliates to build strong, democratic and sustainable unions in Vietnam.”
The meeting took place at a time when significant reforms in industrial relations are planned. Participants listened to cases of new organizing methods and collective bargaining from VGCL. These achievements have been assisted by the close collaboration with international partners as VGCL adapts to the needs of workers in the context of the market economy.
IndustriALL is currently operating a union building project in Vietnam, providing training on collective bargaining for shop stewards or workplace union representatives.