Trade Union Law (amended): Foreign workers are allowed to join grassroots trade unions

On the morning of November 27, with the majority of delegates in favor, the National Assembly passed the Trade Union Law (amended). One of the new points of the Trade Union Law (amended) is the addition of the right to join and operate trade unions at grassroots trade unions for foreign workers working in Vietnam.

Enhance international reputation

Speaking to the press, delegate Nguyen Hoang Bao Tran (Binh Duong Delegation) expressed his agreement with the above regulation. Accordingly, attracting foreign workers working in Vietnam to join helps the Trade Union become more diverse in culture, thinking, experience, skills and working style from other countries.

According to delegate Nguyen Hoang Bao Tran, when participating in the Vietnam Trade Union, foreign workers can share knowledge and skills, contributing to improving professional and management capacity in trade union organizations, contributing to improving international integration capacity and connecting domestic and foreign workers, creating conditions for learning and developing advanced operating models.

Delegates vote to pass the amended Trade Union Law (Photo: TL).

“Expanding the scope of union membership to include foreign workers will contribute to increasing the number of members. This will strengthen the collective strength that the union represents and the union’s ability to negotiate with employers, as well as enhance the voice of workers in domestic and international forums,” the delegate said.

In addition, when foreign workers join the Trade Union, they will have an additional channel to protect their rights and contribute their opinions. This helps build a more equal, harmonious and sustainable working environment between workers and employers. The delegate added that expanding the right to join for foreign workers demonstrates the open, progressive and integrated development of the Vietnam Trade Union. This helps enhance the prestige and image of the organization in the eyes of the international community.

More specific instructions needed

Previously, the National Assembly listened to Chairwoman of the National Assembly's Social Committee Nguyen Thuy Anh present a report explaining, accepting and revising the draft Law on Trade Unions (amended).

Regarding the right to establish, join and operate trade unions, Chairwoman of the Social Committee Nguyen Thuy Anh said that trade unions are "large political and social organizations of the working class and laborers", under the leadership of the Party.

Therefore, the establishment, joining and operation of trade unions must be regulated to ensure strictness, consistency and uniformity in the legal system, but must also ensure attracting workers and workers' organizations at enterprises to join the Trade Union and meet the requirements of international integration and the practical demands of the development process.

In response to the opinions of National Assembly deputies, the National Assembly Standing Committee directed the revision of Article 5 of the draft Law on the establishment and joining of Trade Unions by Vietnamese workers and the joining of Trade Unions by foreign workers.

At the same time, the National Assembly Standing Committee requested the Vietnam General Confederation of Labor to unify direction, provide specific guidance, and have appropriate solutions in the implementation process; supplement regulations in the Charter of Vietnam Trade Unions on conditions, standards, and procedures for examining and strictly verifying the legality and compliance with the law of representative organizations of employees at enterprises as well as the qualifications and conditions of members when joining the Trade Union.

Article 5 of the Law on Trade Unions (amended) stipulates the right to establish, join and operate trade unions as follows:

1. Vietnamese workers have the right to establish, join and operate trade unions.

2. Foreign employees working in Vietnam under a labor contract with a term of 12 months or more are allowed to join and participate in trade union activities at the grassroots trade union.

3. The establishment, joining and operation of trade unions shall comply with the provisions of the Charter of the Vietnam Trade Union, this Law and other relevant legal provisions.

Source: https://thoidai.com.vn/luat-cong-doan-sua-doi-nguoi-lao-dong-la-cong-dan-nuoc-ngoai-duoc-gia-nhap-cong-doan-co-so-207848.html