1. Vietnamese Trade Unions in Brief
Ms. Dang Thi Van Lam
Vietnam General Confederation of Labor (VGCL)
Feb, 2012

2. Overview of Viet Nam Area 331,951.4 km2 Population 86.97 million
Men million 49.4%
Women million 50.6%
Rural million 70.1%
Urban million 29.9%
Literacy rate for population
aged 15 years & over 93.5%

3. Overview of Viet Nam
Workforce aged 15 yrs & over 50.6 million as at 9/2011
Agriculture & Forestry & Aquaculture Sector 24.8 million
Industry & Construction Sector million
Services Sector million
Unemployed rate 2.18%
Urban areas 3.49%
Rural areas 1.63%
Underemployment rate 3.15%
Urban %
Rural %

4. Vietnamese Trade Unions
Established 28 July 1929
Membership 7,331,832 (May 2011)
Women 3,635,637
Number
of Workplace Unions 108, 302

5. Vietnam General Confederation of Labour National Sector Unions
City/ Province FOL
Corp. Unions
Corp. Unions
Corp. Unions
District FOL
Local Sector Unions
Workplace
Unions
Workplace
Unions
Workplace
Unions
Workplace
Unions
Workplace
Unions
Workplace
Unions
Workplace
Unions
Note: Direct guidance; Co-guidance (same level)
Coordination in guidance

6. Vietnamese Trade Unions
Membership by sector
State sector 3,821,431
Public agencies 2,606,332
State-own enterprises 1,215,099
Non-state sector 3,510,401
Non-public agencies 79,734
FDI enterprises 1,473,286
Domestic enterprises 1,957,381

7. Vietnamese Trade Unions
Workplace unions 108, 302
By sector
State sector 76,016
Public agencies 72,009
State-own enterprises 4,007
Non-state sector 32,286
Non-public agencies 3,338
FDI enterprises 4,060
Domestic enterprises 24,888

8. Vietnamese Trade Unions
Union Structure
By Geography
63 Province/City Federation of Labour
Membership 5,750,525
Workplace unions 101,852
By Sector
20 Sector Unions
Membership 1,581,307
Workplace unions 6,450

9. Vietnamese Trade Unions
VGCL has the following main functions
to represent and protect the lawful and legitimate rights and interests of workers, office employees and other working people
to participate in State affairs’ governance, socio-economic management, and monitoring and oversight of the operations of State agencies and economic organizations
to educate and motivate workers to bring into play their right as masters of the country, fulfill their citizens’ obligations, and build and defend the country of Viet Nam.

10. FDI & MNEs in Vietnam
Total number of FDI projects (up to 2011): 13,496
Total registered capital: 195 billion USD
The largest FDI investors (respectively): Korea, Taiwan, Singapore, Japan, BritishVirginIslands, the US, Hongkong.
Key investment sectors: Electronics, processing, manufacturing.

11. Challenges for TU
From 1986, the country pursue renovation and market economy. In that context, TU faces many challenges. Apart from advantages: more opportunies economic growth, improved living standard…
New problems arised:
- Gap between rich and poor
- Inequalities, environment degradation, social problems…
- Labor migration
- Labor exploitation
- Job unsecurity

12. Challenges for TU
- Complex labor relations: increasing labor undress and disputes (from : more than 2700 strikes and industrial actions)
- Violation of labor Law and regulations by employers (wage, type of work, social security, OHS…)
- Culture clash, anti- union attitude
- Weakness of part of trade unions reps who have difficulties to adjust themselves to market economy
- Problems from workers themselves (education, understanding of law, industrial working style)

13. Top priorities for future actions (Set fourth by 10th national Congress of VGCL)
Renovating union activities
All for workplaces, for workers and union members
Focus on representation and protection of workers’ rights and interests
Building sound and constructive labor relations at work.
Building strong unions through strengthening union capacity, TU training, international solidarity and cooperation
Participation in decision making (policies for workers, revision of labor and trade union laws)

14. Specific targets by 2013 Recruiting 1.5 mil new members
Unionizing 70% workplaces
Reaching union density 60%
70% workplaces covered with CBA
Reducing labor accidents
Having 65% wage earners covered with social insurance
Making sure 100% TU representatives get TU training
70% workers get vocational training (now 30%)

15. Thank you