From the experiences of happy countries, shaping Vietnam's future workforce

Speakers attended the event "Improving the adaptability of the Vietnamese labor market - Nordic experiences and recommendations for Vietnam". (Photo: KT)

March 20 in City. Ho Chi Minh City, the Embassies of Nordic countries in Vietnam (Denmark, Finland, Norway and Sweden) coordinated with Fulbright University to organize an event to celebrate Nordic Day 3. This is the 2024th year of The party organized this event on the occasion of Nordic Day on March 6.

The event is an opportunity for Nordic countries to share with Vietnam their experiences and valuable lessons. This year's event theme is "Improving the adaptability of the Vietnamese labor market - Nordic experiences and recommendations for Vietnam".

The event was attended by Nordic and Vietnamese researchers, state agencies, press, academia, civil society, and other stakeholders. The event featured presentations and panel discussions on the topics of how an adaptive labor market can effectively meet global demand, spur innovation, and improve productivity and competitiveness. painting.

Dialogue – a central element in ensuring well-being

In recent decades, Vietnam's economy has undergone important transformations, moving from a low-income agricultural country to a modernized lower-middle-income country. This transformation is driven by economic reform, free trade and foreign direct investment. Thanks to that, Vietnam has become a production center for many different industries, attracting investment from all over the world.

At the event, Norwegian Ambassador Hilde Solbakken emphasized: “Dialogue between governments, employers and workers is both a central element in the development of Nordic welfare states, and at the same time making our economy and labor market more adaptable to an ever-changing world. I hope that sharing the experiences of the Nordic countries can contribute to Vietnam's development and your journey towards a highly skilled, innovative and fair labor market."

Vietnam is currently aiming to become a higher income and net zero emissions country by 0. To achieve this goal, Vietnam is shifting its labor market towards industrial and technology sectors Highly technical, highly skilled. This shift requires a focus on innovation, digitalization, vocational training, education, skills development, and investment in research and development.

For his part, Finnish Ambassador Keijo Norvanto emphasized that welfare and innovation are the key factors creating the success of the Nordic region. Social safety nets in the Nordic countries promote innovation by giving individuals the confidence to take risks and think creatively. This security allows individuals to explore new ideas without fear of losing what they have built in life. In addition, Nordic countries also pay great attention to work-life balance.

“Suitable working hours for employees, flexibility in work, many forms of support for families including parental leave for both parents as well as affordable childcare services , are a few of the many social initiatives we are implementing to ensure a healthy balance between work and personal life. It is no coincidence that Nordic countries have been in the top 10 happiest countries according to the World Happiness Report for many years in a row," said Finnish Ambassador Keijo Norvanto.

Vietnam has committed to ratifying all core conventions of the International Labor Organization on labor standards during the 2021-2030 period, including Convention 87 on Freedom of Association. Strengthening workplace dialogue and improving working conditions are essential components of this commitment. Besides, Vietnam still faces the challenge of an aging population, which is the factor that challenges the national social welfare system.

A roundtable discussion session at the event. (Photo: KT)

“Nordic Model”

At the event, President of Fulbright University Vietnam, Professor Scott Fritzen expressed: “We are honored to co-host the Nordic Day 2024 event and participate in discussions on the topic of improving market adaptability. Vietnam labor market. As an institution committed to promoting innovation, critical thinking, and interdisciplinary approaches, Fulbright University recognizes the importance of learning from successful models such as the Nordic region .

By bringing together academics, policymakers, and industry experts, we aim to foster meaningful dialogue and explore ways for Vietnam to realize its full potential. to create a dynamic and comprehensive labor market. We believe this event will provide valuable insights and inspire useful strategies to shape Vietnam's future workforce.”

Swedish Ambassador Ann Måwe said that employers, unions and governments in the Nordic region are working closely to create a well-developed social welfare network for individuals. This model, often referred to as the “Nordic model,” has attracted international attention and is recognized for the region's resilience during the recent economic crisis. Free education and significant investment in research have contributed to the formation of highly educated citizens and a modern, high-tech society.

Ms. Ann Måwe also emphasized the importance of developing strong plans including social insurance systems to face challenges such as an aging population, which will also soon become an urgent reality. urgent for Vietnam.

The “Nordic Model” offers valuable lessons related to improving the adaptability of the labor market to meet the requirements of the global green economy. The Nordic countries are famous for their model of providing state social services based on tax revenue, investment in education, child care, elderly health care, and other services. other related to human capital.

The Nordic bloc also prioritizes strong workforce protections through independent unions and strong social safety nets. Notably, these countries are always in the global rankings of the world's richest countries in terms of GDP per capita and excel in innovation.

Green transition and the labor problem

Sharing at the event, Danish Ambassador Nicolai Prytz emphasized that green transition cannot take place without an appropriately skilled workforce to meet the requirements of a greener economy. The green transition brings many new job opportunities but also risks leaving behind low-skilled workers, working in the informal sector or in polluting jobs.

Therefore, the Nordic countries wish to share with Vietnamese partners and friends the experiences and lessons that the Nordic countries have gained from the green transition process over the past 40 years. “We hope this will be a source of inspiration for Vietnam to develop a labor market that not only effectively meets the needs of the ongoing green transition but, equally importantly, ensures this is a process fair labor transition and taking into account the economic concerns of vulnerable groups,” said Ambassador Nicolai Prytz.

The Nordic Days 2024 event attracted speakers from the Nordic countries to share their insights on a variety of topics, such as vocational training and skills development, workplace dialogue decent work and employment, innovation and productivity growth, as well as social welfare systems. Representatives of relevant agencies and the Nordic private business sector were also present and shared their perspectives at the event.

Vinnova – Swedish Innovation Agency, H&M from Sweden, Jotun company and NHO – Norwegian Business Confederation from Norway, Wärtsilä and EduCluster from Finland, LEGO LMV Denmark, Labor Organization International (ILO)... all expressed their strong desire to contribute to a dynamic and developing labor market in Vietnam.

The EU-Vietnam Free Trade Agreement (EVFTA) has created new trade and investment opportunities between the EU and Vietnam. By eliminating tariffs, promoting market access, protecting intellectual property, strengthening labor rights and protecting the environment, EVFTA has brought enormous benefits to Vietnam's labor market. The Agreement has expanded market access for Vietnamese businesses, especially in labor-intensive sectors, leading to increased employment opportunities and overall labor market development. Additionally, the agreement's sustainability chapter emphasizes the importance of sustainable practices, further contributing to Vietnam's long-term economic and environmental prosperity.

By fully implementing the EVFTA and considering adopting elements of the Nordic model, Vietnam can strengthen the labor market, promote innovation, improve productivity as well as promote economic growth. sustainable economy.