Direct Request (CEACR) - adopted 2019, published 109th ILC session (2021)

Employment Policy Convention, 1964 (No. 122) - Viet Nam (Ratification: 2012)

Articles 1 and 2 of the Convention. Implementation of a national employment policy. The Committee notes that, according to the Memorandum of Understanding signed between the Government, workers’ and employers’ organizations and the ILO on 5 December 2017, the Decent Work Country Programme (DWCP) 2017–21 is currently being implemented in Viet Nam. The DWCP seeks to promote decent employment and an enabling environment for sustainable entrepreneurship opportunities; reducing poverty by extending social protection to all, reducing unacceptable forms of work, especially for those in vulnerable situations; and building effective labour market governance. The DWCP also contemplates promoting formalization of the informal economy, maintaining and expanding opportunities for freely chosen and productive employment for women and men through migration and better preparedness for jobs, and sustainable entrepreneurship in value chains. The Committee further notes the information provided by the Government concerning the impact of the National Employment Programme 2012–15. The Government reports that measures have been taken by the provinces with a view to improving the implementation of labour market support activities, including improved coordination with socio-economic development programs, the establishment of new infrastructures, and labour market surveys. Moreover, the Government reports that the project on job creation loans has contributed to poverty reduction, the development of business environments, and the creation of job opportunities for groups vulnerable to decent work deficits, such as persons with disabilities and ethnic minorities. The Government also refers to the implementation of activities aimed at job creation within the scope of the project on “Development of employment and labour market” under the Targeted Program on Vocational Education, Employment and Occupational Safety for the period 2016–20. The Committee notes that the Government organizes regular sessions focused on providing employment advice via the public employment service centres where, on average, out of 400–500 employees per session, 80–90 per cent are young workers. The Committee requests the Government to provide detailed up-to-date information, including statistical data disaggregated by sex and age, on the nature and impact of active labour market measures implemented to promote full, productive and freely chosen employment, including those implemented in the framework of the Decent Work Country Programme (DWCP) 2017–21. The Committee reiterates its request that the Government provide information on the procedures for deciding on and reviewing employment measures implemented within the framework of an overall economic and social policy.

Collection and use of labour market information. The Committee notes the detailed statistical information provided by the Government on labour market trends during the period 2008–17. The Government indicates that from 2016 to 2017 there was a 0.18 per cent increase in the number of employed workers. It adds that in 2017 male workers accounted for 51.82 per cent of the workforce, whereas female workers accounted for 48.18 per cent. Young persons made up 24.16 per cent over the work force, while the percentage of middle-aged and elderly workers was estimated at 67.07 per cent and 8.76 per cent respectively. The Government reports that in 2017 the number of unemployed people reached 1.081 million, with young people aged 15–24 making up more than half of this number. In this context, the Committee notes the decrease in Viet Nam’s unemployment rate in 2017 compared to 2016. The national unemployment rate in 2017 was 2.26 per cent, while the unemployment rates in urban and rural areas were estimated at 3.19 per cent and 1.79 per cent respectively. The Government also refers to improvements in the labour market information system, which forms the foundation for informed development of labour market policies. The Committee requests the Government to continue to provide updated labour market information on the situation, level and trends of employment, unemployment and visible underemployment, disaggregated by age, sex and region.

Informal economy. The Committee notes that, according to the DWCP 2017–21 report, informal workers in Viet Nam typically face low incomes, limited opportunities for skills development, and unsafe working conditions, often working without an employment contract and without social protection. Their precarious working conditions make such workers vulnerable to external shocks, particularly in the face of increased international competition. With respect to the informal economy, the number of workers in 2016 increased by 4.23 per cent compared to 2015, in line with overall trends in annual growth during the period 2014–16. According to the ILO 2016 report on informal employment in Viet Nam, informal economy workers, including agricultural, forestry and fisheries workers, made up 78.6 per cent of the total labour force. The Committee notes that there were more men (56.4 per cent) than women in informal employment. The Committee further notes that, according to the ILO country brief on Viet Nam, informal employment affected four out of five (79.5 per cent) young workers in Viet Nam in 2015. The Committee requests the Government to continue to provide detailed up-to-date information, including statistical data disaggregated by sex and age, on rates of informality in the country, and to provide detailed information on the measures taken to facilitate the transition of workers, including ethnic minorities and other disadvantaged groups, from the informal to the formal economy.

Rural employment. In response to the Committee’s previous comments, the Government reports on the implementation of a number of measures aimed at promoting rural employment, such as the issuance of a credit package of 100,000 billion Vietnamese dongs (VND) intended to support production, develop industries and create jobs for rural workers. It also refers to measures on the accumulation of land, aimed at attracting more workers. The Committee notes that the program contributed to the creation of jobs for over 114,000 workers, of which 90 per cent were workers in rural areas. The Government also indicates high unemployment rates among young people in the 15–24 age group residing in rural areas. In the context of the project Vocational Training for Rural Workers by 2020, the Committee notes the amendments to Decision No. 1956/QD-TTg, introduced by the Government to improve the effectiveness of the project in line with the needs of rural workers, by combining vocational training with strategies and plans for socio-economic development. The Committee further notes the Government’s efforts to improve access to training, as well as to enhance their quality and efficiency. With regard to project implementation at the provincial level, the Government reports on the implementation of different models, such as a model tailored towards workers in specialized areas, workers in craft villages, or short-term vocational training for farmers living in local communities. The Committee notes that, in the context of the program, 7.2 million rural workers received vocational training, 3.98 million received support for vocational trainings, and 40.7 per cent of beneficiaries of the program continued to work in the agricultural sector. As a result of the program, more than 80 per cent of rural workers either acquired new jobs or remained in the same employment, but now benefit from higher income and productivity. The Committee requests the Government to continue to provide updated information on the impact of the project Vocational Training for Rural Workers by 2020. The Committee also requests the Government to provide information on the implementation and results of the Targeted Program on Vocational Education–Employment and Occupational Safety for the period of 2016–2020, including statistical data on the number of trainings and beneficiaries disaggregated by age and sex. Further, it requests the Government to report on specific measures undertaken within the framework of the amendment of Decision No. 1956/QD TTg and their impact on employment in rural areas.

Groups vulnerable to decent work deficits. In response to the Committee’s previous comments, the Government reports on the implementation of synchronized measures designed to promote job creation, with special emphasis on workers with disabilities, ethnic minorities and young workers. The Government reports that it is updating labour supply databases with data on these groups to inform the development of new policies aimed at job creation. In this context, the Government adopted measures to promote the employment of persons with disabilities and young persons, including the granting of loans, prioritisation of capital lending and providing support to young people creating start-ups. The Government indicates that out of 114,000 workers who benefited from preferential loans for job creation in 2017, 50 per cent were young workers, 6,112 were ethnic minorities, and 2,540 were persons with disabilities. In this context, the Government lists consultations, support for young entrepreneurs as well as vocational training intended for those who have completed military service, police duties or volunteered to perform socio-economic development projects. With respect to the employment of women, the Committee notes the 2015 observations of the Committee on the Elimination of Discrimination against Women (CEDAW/C/VNM/CO/7-8), in which it expressed concern regarding the persistence of occupational segregation of women in the public and private sectors and their lack of access to higher-paid jobs. The Government reports that during the period 2006–16, women’s participation in the labour force has been consistently lower than that of men. In addition, women are underemployed in certain sectors of the labour market. The Committee requests the Government to provide updated detailed information on the content and impact of policies aimed at promoting employment and the creation of decent jobs for specific groups of workers, including increased focus on women, as well as continuing focus on workers with disabilities, ethnic minorities and young persons.

Education and training. In response to the Committee’s previous comments, the Government reports on the creation of the Targeted Programme on Vocational Education, Employment and Occupational Safety for the period of 2016–20, which seeks to respond to the needs of the labour market by improving the quality of vocational education and training. It indicates that the social partners are consulted on the development of education and training programmes through workshops, expert meetings and written requests for feedback. The Government refers to changes in the public approach to vocational training, which is now considered as an effective means for accessing stable employment with higher income as well as for acquiring the knowledge and skills crucial to securing employment. The Government indicates, however, that short–term vocational training for young people in rural areas has not created a difference in employment and income for participants, compared to those who have not benefited from vocational training. The Committee also notes that, according to the DWCP 2017-2021, 59.4 per cent of adult women have reached at least a secondary level of education compared to 71.2 per cent of men. The Committee requests the Government to provide information on measures taken to ensure equal access of women to vocational guidance and education relevant to all economic sectors and all levels of responsibility, and the impact of such measures on women’s ability to engage in the broadest possible range of economic activities, including in non-traditional occupations and higher-paid jobs. The Committee reiterates its request that the Government provide detailed information on the implementation and results of the specific measures undertaken within the scope of the Vocational Training Strategy for the period 2011–2020, in particular their impact on employment creation for young people in rural areas. It also requests the Government to provide updated information on the implementation of measures developed under the Targeted Program on Vocational Education, Employment and Occupational Safety and Health for the 2016-2020 period and their impact on access to full and productive employment.

Employment services. In response to the Committee’s previous comments, the Government reports that the activities of the employment service centres (VTC) are regulated by article 38 of the Employment Law and Decree No. 196/2013/ND-CP stipulating the establishment and operation of the VTCs, adding that these have been strengthened via the allocation of additional resources. The Committee notes that the VTC’s tasks include job counselling for workers, acting as intermediaries between workers and employers with regard to recruitment issues, collecting and analysing information on the labour market, implementing employment programmes, and providing vocational and skills training. The Government reports that in 2017, 953,545 workers obtained lasting employment as a result of their visit to one of the employment service centres. The Government adds that the centres have provided job consultancy services for an estimated 8.17 million workers. The Committee requests the Government to continue to provide detailed information on the implementation of tasks of the employment service centres and to provide information on their impact in relation to access to lasting employment, especially with regard to young people, people with disabilities and ethnic minorities. It further requests the Government to provide statistical data, disaggregated by age and sex, on the number of beneficiaries in relation to obtaining access to lasting employment. The Committee also requests the Government to provide detailed information on the frequency and the extent of the involvement of the social partners in the design and delivery of education and training programmes in the manner which responds to the needs of the labour market.

Article 3. Consultation with the social partners. In response to the Committee’s previous comments, the Government reports on several activities undertaken by the tripartite Employment Policy Drafting Board (EPDB) aimed at the development of employment policies and programmes. The activities of the EPDB also include organization of seminars on topics related to employment policies and the implementation of labour law. The Committee requests the Government to provide information on the implementation and results of the specific activities undertaken by the Employment Policy Drafting Board with regard to the development, implementation and review of employment policies and programmes. The Committee also reiterates its previous request that the Government provide information on the consultations held with the representatives of rural workers and workers in the informal economy.