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Workers’ rights can sharpen businesses’ competitive edge
Stronger involvement by the labour union could help boost the social responsibility of businesses, a workshop was told in Ha Noi on Friday.
The workshop was organised by the Viet Nam General Confederation of Labour (VGCL) and the German Labour Union.
Delegates agreed that during the globalisation process, each business needed to improve its competitive edge by improving the working environment and protecting workers’ rights and interests.
"Exercising social responsibility helps the sustainable development of business," said deputy chairwoman of VGCL Nguyen Thi Thu Hong.
She said the concept of corporate social responsibility was still unpopular in Viet Nam and more research into it was necessary for businesses and also for State agencies.
Hong said a common approach was needed to the adoption of labour regulations as well as to international laws and practices.
VGCL deputy chairman Mai Duc Chinh said that corporate social responsibility would not only help improve competitiveness, but also the working environment and labour relationship.
However, he said, there were still shortcomings in the application of corporate social responsibility because of a lack of information and personnel as well as poor management during the integration process.
Dieter Eich, director of education and training with the German Labour Union said that in Viet Nam, social responsibility received little attention from businesses, particularly small businesses.
He said small and medium-sized businesses found that social responsibility was also hindered by lack of finance.
"To improve the situation, it is necessary for labour unions to stand side by side with businesses and urge them to build sustainable investment policies and closer ties with workers," he said.
Delegates said there was a need to increase the dissemination of information among businesses and labourers – and for better co-operation between the State and labour unions.
In a recent decree, the Government said that those who bought State-owned businesses had to use the same number of workers and implement State policies for them.
VNN
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