Vietnam-US Labour Dialogue held in Washington D.C

Nov 15, 2011

VietNamNet Bridge – The annual Vietnam-US Labor Dialogue took place last weekend in Washington, D.C between the Vietnamese Ministry of Labour, Invalids and Social Affairs (MOLISA) and the US Department of Labour (DOL).

MOLISA Deputy Minister of Labour, Invalids and Social Affairs, Pham Minh Huan, met with DOL Deputy Undersecretary Sandra Polaski to discuss labor law reform, technical cooperation projects to improve labour relations, and labour issues in the negotiation on the Trans-Pacific Partnership (TPP) agreement.

Both sides reviewed the results after one year of implementing the first phase of the US-funded US$ 2.5 million project to improve labour relations, and agreed to focus on improving capacity for labour inspectors in the second phase.

They also compared notes on necessary supplements and amendments to the Labour Code, pledged to consult each other on this issue, and clarify their views on labour issues in the negotiations.

Vietnam informed the US about the progress of implementing the Better Work Program supported by the International Labour Organization (ILO) to help Vietnamese garment and textile businesses enhance their prestige and product quality.

The US expressed its willingness to fund the program in Vietnam’s northern provinces after its budget for fiscal year 2012 is approved.

VietNamNet/VOV