Decent work in Viet Nam

Decent work sums up the aspirations of people in their working lives. Adopted in 1999, the ILO's Decent Work Agenda involves opportunities for work that is productive and delivers a fair income, security in the workplace and social protection for workers and their families. It means better prospects for personal development and social integration, and freedom for people to express their concerns, to organize, and to participate in the decisions that affect their lives. It entails equality of opportunity and treatment for all women and men.

The idea of decent work is a guiding idea for the ILO and is seen as central to eradicating poverty, and to a more equitable sharing of the benefits that have come from increased international economic integration, with the aim of making globalization more inclusive and fair.

Decent work and the Sustainable Development Goals

During the UN General Assembly in September 2015, decent work and the four pillars of the Decent Work Agenda – employment creation, social protection, rights at work, and social dialogue – became integral elements of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development. Goal 8 of the 2030 Agenda calls for the promotion of sustained, inclusive and sustainable economic growth, full and productive employment and decent work, and will be a key area of engagement for the ILO and its constituents. Furthermore, key aspects of decent work are widely embedded in the targets of many of the other 16 goals of the UN’s new development vision.

Decent work in Viet Nam

The Decent Work Country Programme for Viet Nam is the main framework for ILO co-operation with the Government, workers’ and employers’ organizations over the 2017-21 period. It is in line with the Viet Nam United Nations One Plan for the same period, which embraces the Sustainable Development Goals, and the national Five-year Socio-Economic Development Plan. The third Decent Work Country Programme sets out three country priorities namely to:
  • promote decent employment and an enabling environment for sustainable entrepreneurship opportunities;
  • reduce poverty by extending social protection for all and reduce unacceptable forms of work, especially for the most vulnerable; and
  • build effective labour market governance compliant with fundamental principles and rights and at work.