The workshop, entitled “labour unions act to ensure employment for workers during the global economic crisis,” was co-organised by the Vietnam General Confederation of Labour (VGCL) and the World Federation of Trade Unions (WFTU).

Speaking at the seminar, WFTU General Secretary George Mavrikos said that the event was held to celebrate the founding of Vietnam’s Labour Union 80 years ago (July 28, 1929).

It was an important forum for the world’s trade unions to share information and experiences in dealing with the fallouts of the economic crisis and to draw up strategies to ensure stable employment and living standards for workers, he added.

Nearly 50 delegates from 23 labour unions throughout 18 countries in Asia, Africa, Latin America and Europe took part in the workshop.

“These delegations give the Vietnamese labour union and its workers a strong sense of international solidarity and support. It is a huge source of encouragement for the Vietnamese people and workers everywhere to pursue their goal of national modernisation and industrialisation,” VGCL Chairman Dang Ngoc Tung said.

The main issues that dominated the forum were measures to protect the legitimate rights of the workers, who always face a bigger threat in times of global economic downturn.