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Hygiene (Commerce and Offices) Convention, 1964 (No. 120) - Viet Nam (RATIFICATION: 1994)

Article 6(1) of the Convention. Labour inspection. The Committee notes the information provided by the Government that occupational safety and health issues are included in general labour inspections, and that specific occupational safety and health inspections only take place in a few areas such as mining and work with hazardous chemicals. The Committee requests the Government to provide detailed information on labour inspections carried out in workplaces covered by the Convention, as well as the outcome of those inspections.

Articles 8, 9, 10 and 18. Requirements of ventilation, lighting, temperature and health standards concerning noise and vibration. The Committee notes the Government’s statement that the Convention has been integrated into the new Labour Code of 2012, as well as Decree No. 45/2013/ND-CP on the implementation of the provisions of the Labour Code on hours of work, hours of rest and occupational safety and health. Section 138 of the Labour Code states that employers are responsible for ensuring that the workplace meets the occupational safety and health requirements pertaining to ventilation, heat, noise and vibration and other harmful factors as indicated in relevant technical standards, and that these factors must be checked and measured on a regular basis. In this regard, the Committee notes that Decision No. 3733/2002/QD-BYT on occupational health standards contains minimum requirements with respect to air quality, lighting, temperature, noise and vibration. It notes the Government’s statement that the Ministry of Health is now studying the possible amendment of this Decision. The Committee requests the Government to provide information on any amendment or revision of Decision No. 3733/2002/QD-BYT, and to provide a copy of any new text adopted in this regard.

Article 14. Sufficient and suitable seats supplied for workers. The Committee previously noted the Government’s indication that Decision No. 260/2006/QD-TTg, on standard levels of state agencies and civil services, specifies the working space size requirements for officials or technicians and service officers.

It notes the Government’s indication that for state administrative and non administrative agencies, the Government allocates a budget for building maintenance, restoration and equipment in workplaces, which aims to ensure that each public official and technical staff member has a reasonable chair and working space. Noting that the information provided by the Government refers only to the public sector, the Committee requests the Government to provide information on measures taken to ensure that sufficient and suitable seats are also supplied for persons not working for state agencies and the civil service.