Addressing the session in Geneva on June 15, Deputy Minister of Labour, Invalids and Social Affairs Pham Minh Huan said that with respect to decent work for domestic workers, experience has shown that in times of crisis, disadvantaged workers, including domestic workers, are, more than ever, exposed to vulnerability.

In 2009, more than 133,000 Vietnamese workers lost their job in enterprises. In traditional craft villages, more than 40,000 workers lose their job and in rural areas, more than 100,000 suffer under-employment.
In response to the crisis, interventions of the government have been introduced in a timely manner to help sustain macro-economic stability, maintain employment and develop the labour markets. Effective measures are, among others, supporting enterprises with soft loans to pay salary, social insurance premiums and severance allowance for workers, credits for workers to access vocational training, etc. Implemented in close collaboration with social partners, these measures help Vietnam regain its growth momentum. And new demand for labour started to increase.

Regarding the report on “Accelerating actions against child labour”, which is a key issue on the conference’s agenda, Huan confirmed the consistent policy of Vietnam on the abolition of child labour. Article 65 of Vietnam’s Constitution states that children are provided with protection, education and care by their family, the government and the society.

Meanwhile, the Labour Code stipulates that workers shall be at least 15 years of age, and the employment of junior workers of less than 18 years of age in physically demanding and dangerous work is strictly prohibited.

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