Foreign employees working in Vietnam under labor contracts with a term of at least 12 months may soon gain the right to join Vietnamese trade unions and participate in grassroots-level trade union activities.
This development is outlined in the draft revised Law on Trade Unions, prepared by the Vietnam General Confederation of Labor (VGCL) to replace the current 2012 Law.
Foreign Employees to Join Vietnamese Trade Unions
The proposed law aims to promote equality in trade union rights between Vietnamese and foreign employees, reflecting Vietnam's commitment to international integration. The VGCL emphasizes that this measure would ensure consistency with global labor practices while respecting the unique context of Vietnam's labor environment. However, the draft law specifies that foreign employees will not be eligible to hold positions as trade union representatives. Article 4.5 of the draft stipulates that such roles are reserved exclusively for Vietnamese citizens.Additional Rights for Trade Union Members
The draft introduces new rights for trade union members, supplementing the seven rights already provided in the 2012 Law. These include:- The right to question the executive committee or president of their trade union.
- Access to VGCL’s policies on welfare benefits, including the rent of social houses or lodging houses.
- Recognition and rewards for labor achievements, production, and trade union activities.
- Other rights as provided by relevant laws and the Charter of the Vietnam Trade Union.
