Vietnam’s labour commitments to CPTPP, EVFTA discussed

According to the Ministry of Labour, Invalids and Social Affairs (MoLISA), Vietnam’s commitments in the CPTPP and EVFTA have contributed to maintaining and increasing foreign investment in Vietnam and helped Vietnamese businesses raise their competitiveness, boost exports and further integrate into the global supply chain.

Speaking at the workshop, themed “Labour commitments of Vietnam in CPTPP and EVFTA,” MoLISA Deputy Minister Doan Mau Diep said the discussions aimed to serve the amendment of Vietnam’s Labour Law. 

The ministry is considering ratifying the International Labour Organisation (ILO)’s conventions No. 98, 105 and 87 to display Vietnam’s commitments in new-generation agreements, the official said. 

Besides, the ministry has popularised labour commitments in CPTPP and EVFTA, revised the Labour Law and issued guidance documents, he added. 

Dao Quang Vinh, Director of the MoLISA’s Institute of Labour Science and Social Affairs, said the deals are expected to create a larger global free trade area and generate more jobs, especially in areas of Vietnam’s strength like garment-textile, leather and footwear, wooden furniture production, food processing and coffee, while improving wages. 

Delegates at the workshop also discussed Vietnam’s preparations for labour commitments in CPTPP and EVFTA in terms of institutions and human resources, along with the implementation of international labour standards at enterprises.

The CPTPP was signed in Santiago, Chile, on March 8, 2018 by Australia, Brunei, Canada, Chile, Japan, Malaysia, Mexico, New Zealand, Peru, Singapore and Vietnam.

Of the 11, seven countries have ratified the pact, with Vietnam finishing its procedures on November 12. Earlier, New Zealand, Canada, Japan, Mexico, Singapore and Australia ratified the deal.

The deal, to take effect at the end of this year, is expected to bolster economic growth, create more jobs, alleviate poverty and improve living quality in the member states. 

It will create one of the world’s largest free trade blocs with a market of about 500 million people and a GDP of 10.1 trillion USD, accounting for 13.5 percent of global GDP. 

The accord is expected to increase Vietnam’s GDP by 2.01 percent by 2035, according to the Ministry of Planning and Investment.

The EVFTA is a new-generation trade agreement between Vietnam and the 28 EU member countries. Negotiations for the deal concluded on December 1, 2015. The official text of the agreement was published on February 1, 2016.

The European Commission (EC) on October 17 agreed to submit the EVFTA to the European Council to seek its approval for the official signing of the deal.