International integration strategy on labour, social affairs approved

The Prime Minister recently approved an international integration strategy on labour and social affairs by 2020 with a vision to 2030.

Accordingly, the strategy sets forth tasks such as stepping up the implementation of a sustainable employment programme, shifting the labour structure, promoting the movement of both domestic and foreign labourers, while bettering labour market forecasts and employment policies.

The strategy will tighten management over international labour migration, help perfect salary-related policies and laws, promote labour productivity and increase the competitiveness of Vietnamese workers, and develop harmonious, stable and progressive labour relations.

The law system relating to labour relations will better conform to regional and international standards, and labour safety and hygiene standards will be stepped up at the workplace.

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In this strategy, Vietnam pledges to implement commitments and contribute to building, adjusting and completing ASEAN and international standards on vocational education, while prioritising the completion of a national qualifications framework (NQF) and participating in bettering the ASEAN Qualifications Reference Framework.

Regarding international integration in social security, Vietnam will gradually apply regional and international criteria, with the focus on the poverty line, social insurance programmes and coverage, and the provision of social services.

The country will build and perfect policies related to social insurance and unemployment insurance, while considering the signing of cooperation programmes on social insurance with other nations.

It will also strive for sustainable poverty reduction by applying multi-dimensional poverty measurements, and make additional efforts to narrow the development gap between urban and rural areas to ensure social equality.

Attention will also be paid to implementing social policies for those who are affected by international integration, including people with severe disabilities, children, the homeless, the elderly, ethnic minority groups, and victims of human trafficking.

The strategy will help promote gender equality, narrow the gender gap, and reduce gender inequality in employment and family relationships in rural, mountainous and ethnic-inhabited areas.

It will also help enhance the care of children living in disadvantaged circumstances, and attempt to minimise child abuse and child labour.