Vietnam and Switzerland discuss labor cooperation post-Covid-19

On June 23, an online conference was held between Vietnam’s Ministry of Labour, Invalids and Social Affairs (MoLISA) and Switzerland’s Federal Department of Economic Affairs, Education and Research (EAER), discussing how to enhance post-COVID-19 labour cooperation between the two countries.
June 24, 2020 | 15:08
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vietnam commits to abolition of forced labor after consideration Vietnam commits to abolition of forced labor after consideration
vietnam labor market warm up as coronavirus recedes Vietnam labor market warm up as coronavirus recedes
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MoLISA Deputy Minister Nguyen Thi Ha speaks at the event (Photo: VNA)

Speaking at the conference, MoLISA Deputy Minister Nguyen Thi Ha emphasized that the impacts of Covid-19 pandemic on the economy, labour, and employment differ among countries. Amid increasing global integration, the collaboration and information sharing will help countries overcome the challenge together, she added.

According to Ms. Nguyen Thi Ha, workers with informal jobs, workers without labor contracts, low-income workers, young workers and elderly workers, women, migrant workers are the most vulnerable groups under the impact of the disease, informed VNA.

vietnam and switzerland discuss labor cooperation post covid 19
Illustrative photo. Source: Vietnam Embassy Newzealand website.

Vietnam's labor force participation rate saw a record low over the last 10 years with 75% of the working age population, down 1.3% from the same period last year. The International Labor Organization estimates that the Covid-19 pandemic put more than 22 million Vietnamese workers at high risk of employment, according to People's Army Newspaper.

In this context, the Vietnamese Government has taken appropriate measures to control the epidemic while maintaining economic activities, and ensuring social stability. Ms. Ha added that in May, more than 5,000 firms resumed operation and the number of newly established ones was 36.1 percent higher than that of the previous month.

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At a job fair (Photo: HCMUT)

Ms. Ha expressed her hope that Switzerland and the ILO will cooperate with Vietnam and the MOLISA in achieving their goals related to job security and good preparation of human resources and labour policy to welcome investment flows and fortify the domestic workforce market.

During the event, participants from both ministries shared information on helping workers get back to work. They agreed that restructuring the labour force should focus on training and re-training to create and maintain employment after the pandemic.

At the conference, Vietnam and Switzerland signed a memorandum of understanding, which stated their commitments to ILO goals and labour cooperation. The agreement is set to be implemented via high-level dialogues, meetings among experts, joint conferences and economic collaboration programmes, VOV reported.

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