To establish a forum for exchange, sharing, evaluation, and proposal of initiatives to promote the enforcement of labor commitments within Vietnam's new-generation FTAs, on the morning of April 26, 2023, the Ho Chi Minh City University of Law organized an international conference :“Labor Commitments in the New-Generation Free Trade Agreements and International Labor Standards of the ILO for Vietnam” at Conference Hall A.1002.
The international conference was held with appearence of many forein and Vietnam's experts
Guest speakers at the conference included Mr. Alain Pelce, Senior Expert on Labor Law and International Labor Standards at the ILO Regional Office for Asia and the Pacific, Bangkok, Thailand; Dr. Nguyen Van Binh, Director of the Legal Affairs Department at the Ministry of Labor, Invalids and Social Affairs, who served as the chair; Ms. Nguyen Thi Van, Principal Specialist in International Labor Standards Monitoring at the Legal Affairs Department of the Ministry of Labor, Invalids and Social Affairs; Mr. Vu Huu Tuyen, Principal Specialist at the Department of Labor Relations and Wages at the Ministry of Labor, Invalids and Social Affairs, along with representatives from various management agencies, trade unions in industrial zones, and lecturers from over 20 other universities.
Representatives from the Ho Chi Minh City University of Law included Assoc. Prof. Dr. Tran Hoang Hai, Acting President, who chaired the event; Dr. Nguyen Van Tien, Vice Dean of the Civil Law Department; Dr. Le Thi Thuy Huong, Head of the Research Management & International Cooperation Office, who also served as the chair; Dr. Nguyen Thi Bich, Head of the Labor Department, Civil Law Department, along with all interested faculty members and students.
In his opening remarks, Assoc. Prof. Dr. Tran Hoang Hai, Acting President of the University, stated that the new-generation free trade agreements could pose challenges and difficulties for Vietnam. However, they also serve as a motivation for Vietnamese enterprises to strive and develop in accordance with the current global situation. The international conference serves as an academic forum for researchers, scientists, and those with specific interests to engage in in-depth professional discussions.
Associate Professor Dr. Tran Hoang Hai – Acting Rector of the University of Law, Ho Chi Minh City, stated that new-generation FTAs are not purely a matter of trade but also encompass many other issues.
In his speech at the conference, Dr. Nguyen Van Binh, Director of the Legal Affairs Department at the Ministry of Labor, Invalids and Social Affairs, emphasized that the enforcement of labor commitments not only directly relates to labor regulations but also extends to various other legal domains in Vietnam. Exchange on international labor standards is no longer limited to central state agencies but has expanded to include social organizations and academic researchers at numerous educational institutions. However, such coordination faces several obstacles. Therefore, the conference provides a platform for scientific researchers to discuss and study the challenges and deficiencies in implementing current international commitments, aiming to draw lessons and experiences for Vietnam.
Dr. Nguyen Van Binh – Director of the Legal Department, Ministry of Labour, Invalids and Social Affairs, shared that we only commit to content when it responds to some benefit of Vietnam.
At the first session on the topic "Overview of labor commitments in the new-generation FTAs," the panel discussed the following presentations:
"Experiences of some countries in implementing and enforcing labor standards in new-generation Free Trade Agreements" by Dr. Phan Hoai Nam, Ms. Tran Ngoc Ha, and Ms. Tran Thi Ngoc Ha;
"Enforcement of new-generation Free Trade Agreements in Vietnam - Challenges in the labor sector" by Ms. Nguyen Thi Hong and Ms. Nguyen Ngoc Tu Anh;
"Impact of enforcing labor standards in new-generation Free Trade Agreements on migrant workers" by Ms. Hoang Thi Minh Tam.
According to Master Tran Thi Ngoc Ha, it is important to be aware of the existing shortcomings in the agreements and to negotiate more clearly so that the implementation process can proceed smoothly.
In the second discussion session on the topic "Enforcement of ILO's international labor standards," the presentations included:
"Basic international labor standards and mechanisms for enforcement" by Associate Professor Dr. Tran Thi Thuy Lam;
"Issues in domesticating core international labor standards of the ILO into Vietnam's legal system" by Ms. Xa Kieu Oanh and Mr. Nguyen Van Duong;
"Labor management system and key tasks of state labor management agencies in implementing labor commitments under the CPTPP and EVFTA agreements" by Ms. Doan Cong Yen.
Associate Professor Dr. Tran Thi Thuy Lam provided recommendations for implementing ILO core labor standards in Vietnam by continuing the process of domesticating laws, as well as integrating and coordinating the monitoring and supervision of their implementation.
Master Nguyen Thi Hong presented the paper "Implementing New-Generation Free Trade Agreements in Vietnam – Challenges in the Labor Sector."
Master Xa Kieu Oanh, representing the author group, presented the paper on issues related to the domestic implementation of the ILO's core international labor standards into Vietnam's legal system.
Master and Senior Professor Doan Cong Yen stated that regulations related to inspections need to be promptly improved, while also coordinating to enhance the creativity and proactivity of local governments under the CPTPP and EVFTA agreements.
The conference was organized with the aim of creating a forum for discussion, evaluation, and providing recommendations to promote the implementation of labor commitments in Vietnam.
After the presentations were delivered, scholars and experts engaged in discussions, exchanges, and contributed opinions related to the enforcement of international labor standards set by the ILO. The purpose was to collectively explore and develop improvements to the legal framework in accordance with ILO international labor standards in Vietnam.
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The scientific conference has made highly practical contributions to the topic "New-Generation Free Trade Agreements."
Content: Quỳnh Như, Anh Thy
Images: Khánh Linh, Thanh Hoa
Ulaw Media Team