VietNamNet Bridge – It took a lot of efforts for Nguyen Thi Hoa, a resident of the northern port city of Hai Phong’s Tu Doi Village, to learn how to use scissors. Nguyen Thi Hoa cuts paper flowers to make a bouquet. — Photo tuoitre.vn Holding a piece of yellow paper in one hand and scissors in the other, the 37-year-old woman cut out identical five-petal flowers, then sewed them onto a plastic bottle and decorated it with colourful beads to make a bouquet. She did it with ease, but that has not always been the case. At the age of three she succumbed to an illness that stopped her growth and left her virtually paralysed. Weighing only 10kg, Hoa’s life has been confined to a small bed. Determined not to let life pass her by, Hoa learned to make crafts and developed a small brand of handmade crafts. … [Read more...]

Employment opportunities in Thailand for Vietnamese workers (Illustrative image. Source: VNA) Hanoi (VNA) – The Ministry of Labour, Invalids and Social Affairs (MoLISA) is proposing Thailand offer more sectors and services to receive Vietnamese workers. The MoLISA and the Thai Ministry of Labour signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) on sending and receiving labourers in July 2015. This is the first agreement of the two countries that has created a legal framework for the recruitment of Vietnamese workers in Thailand and vice versa. The two sides will pilot the dispatch of workers for the construction and fisheries sectors. Since the signing of the deal, the two ministries have conducted three technical meetings among their relevant agencies to agree on essential contents, including procedures to bring Vietnamese workers to … [Read more...]

Emaciated body, urinating and defecating onto the floor… His father, Trịnh Nam Khoa stays by him all day and night, not thinking of leaving him for a while for tens of years now. He himself is not well enough to work. Đạt’s grandfather was a former soldier. He died of cancer in 1998. His parents had no idea of Agent Orange until Đạt was diagnosed cerebral palsy. The faith of the children in AO victim families has been decided 56 years ago. However, until now there has not been any specific policy designated for the third generation victims. Between 1961-1971, US troops sprayed some 80 million liters of defoliants over southern Vietnam, 44 million liters of which were Agent Orange. The later contained a total of nearly 370 kilograms of dioxin, the most poisonous toxin people have ever known. As many as 4.8 million Vietnamese people are exposed to AO/dioxin, of whom over 3 million are victims and … [Read more...]

VOV’s reporter Le Phuong reports on government and community efforts aimed at helping Agent Orange/Dioxin victims. Between 1961 and 1971 the US army sprayed about 80 million liters of hazardous chemicals on one-fourth of Vietnam’s southern area. The defoliant Agent Orange has had long-lasting effects on the environment, the ecosystem, and people’s health. The pain of Agent Orange/ Dioxin 4.8 million Vietnamese people were exposed to Agent Orange/Dioxin and more than 3 million people were victims of chemical warfare. Hundreds of thousands of them died and hundreds of thousands more are still struggling with fatal diseases.  Studies by the Vietnam-Russia Tropical Center have shown that Agent Orange/Dioxin causes long-lasting medical and biological consequences that can affect 3 or more generations. The health problems from which AO victims … [Read more...]

VOV’s reporter Le Phuong reports on government and community efforts aimed at helping Agent Orange/Dioxin victims. Between 1961 and 1971 the US army sprayed about 80 million liters of hazardous chemicals on one-fourth of Vietnam’s southern area. The defoliant Agent Orange has had long-lasting effects on the environment, the ecosystem, and people’s health. The pain of Agent Orange/ Dioxin 4.8 million Vietnamese people were exposed to Agent Orange/Dioxin and more than 3 million people were victims of chemical warfare. Hundreds of thousands of them died and hundreds of thousands more are still struggling with fatal diseases.  Studies by the Vietnam-Russia Tropical Center have shown that Agent Orange/Dioxin causes long-lasting medical and biological consequences that can affect 3 or more generations. The health problems from which AO victims … [Read more...]

  Trịnh Trần Nam Đạt spends his daily life on a bamboo mat in the middle of his home. Emaciated body, urinating and defecating onto the floor… His father, Trịnh Nam Khoa stays by him all day and night, not thinking of leaving him for a while for tens of years now. He himself is not well enough to work. Đạt’s grandfather was a former soldier. He died of cancer in 1998. His parents had no idea of Agent Orange until Đạt was diagnosed cerebral palsy. The faith of the children in AO victim families has been decided 56 years ago. However, until now there has not been any specific policy designated for the third generation victims. Between 1961-1971, US troops sprayed some 80 million liters of defoliants over southern Vietnam, 44 million liters of which were Agent Orange. The later contained a total of nearly 370 kilograms of dioxin, the most poisonous toxin people have ever known. … [Read more...]

By texting "UH” to 1409, an individual can donate VND20,000 to residents in flood-hit localities in the northern mountainous region of Vietnam, including Yen Bai, Son La and Lai Chau provinces. The campaign is co-organized by the Vietnam Red Cross Society (VNRC) and the National Humanitarian Portal 1400. All of the collected money and materials will be donated to flood-affected people by providing fundamental goods, housing and livelihoods. On the same day, the Ministry of Labor, Invalids and Social Affairs has also offered VND250 million and launched a program to call on individuals and organizations to join hands to assist the northern mountainous provinces. The Voice of Vietnam on August 9 supported VND300 million in support for flood victims in northern region. According to the Vietnam Fatherland Front’s Central Committee, to date, the Central Steering Committee for Natural Disaster Prevention and Control has received the donation … [Read more...]

By texting "UH” to 1409, an individual can donate VND20,000 to residents in flood-hit localities in the northern mountainous region of Vietnam, including Yen Bai, Son La and Lai Chau provinces. The campaign is co-organized by the Vietnam Red Cross Society (VNRC) and the National Humanitarian Portal 1400. All of the collected money and materials will be donated to flood-affected people by providing fundamental goods, housing and livelihoods. On the same day, the Ministry of Labor, Invalids and Social Affairs has also offered VND250 million and launched a program to call on individuals and organizations to join hands to assist the northern mountainous provinces. The Voice of Vietnam on August 9 supported VND300 million in support for flood victims in northern region. According to the Vietnam Fatherland Front’s Central Committee, to date, the Central Steering Committee for Natural Disaster Prevention and Control has received the donation … [Read more...]

The Ministry of Planning and Investment held its second biannual meeting to discuss and exchange seven groups of issues under the Vietnam-Japan Joint Initiative Phase VI in Hanoi on August 2, 2017. One of the major issues raised by the Japanese side at the meeting was labour and wages. Mr Nguyen Tien Dang, Department of Labour Relations and Wages under the Ministry of Labour, Invalids and Social Affairs, said that the current issue is unclear minimum wage calculation methods. Although roadmaps are outlined, there are not enough fundamental database and minimum worker livelihood expense survey methods to have the ground for reasonable calculation. The wage growth rate is far away from CPI growth and GDP growth. This affected business performance and development of enterprises investing in Vietnam. In order to address outstanding matters faced by businesses, Japan and Vietnam will discuss methods and procedures for determining the minimum wage. In … [Read more...]

NDO – Nguyen Thi Doan, Former Vice President and also Chairwoman of the Vietnam Association for Study Encouragement, visited and provided a financial aid of VND150 million (US$6,600) for schools in Yen Bai province’s Mu Cang Chai district on August 9, aiming to help them overcome the aftermaths of recent flash floods. >>> Joint efforts made to support flood victims In addition, Yen Bai province received billions of Vietnam dong in assistance from many other provinces and organisations, with VND1.2 billion from the Ho Chi Minh City Fatherland Front Committee, VND300 million from Thai Nguyen province, VND500 million from the Bank for Investment and Development of Vietnam, 100 million from Hoa Binh province and another VND100 million from the Vietnam Farmers’ Association. * On the same day, fund-raising ceremonies to support flood-hit provinces in the Northwestern region were held by the Party Central Committee’s Commission for … [Read more...]

NDO – Deputy Prime Minister Vu Duc Dam has suggested that national contributors from Dong Nai province should promote their revolutionary tradition to act as good models for locals to follow, contributing to local socio-economic development and building a prosperous country. The government senior official made the suggestion while hosting the delegation of revolutionary contributors from the southern province at the government headquarters yesterday. Reporting to the deputy PM, Deputy Head of Dong Nai Department of Labour, Invalids and Social Affairs, Ho Van Loc stated that the province has more than 56,000 people with commendable services to the revolution, of which more than 13,000 beneficiaries receive monthly allowances. Over the past years, Dong Nai has synchronously implemented a range of programmes related to national contributors, such as posthumously conferring the title of Vietnamese Heroic Mother, building gratitude houses for contributors, and resolving … [Read more...]

So far, 8,928 poor and near poor households have joined the plan. After one year, those who have escaped from the poor status are still being supervised to ensure they achieve sustainable poverty elimination. Nguyen Thi Kim Thoa, Vice President of the provincial chapter of the Vietnam Women’s Union said, 754 out of 1,243 households of poor women have benefited from the plan, worth over VND18.5 billion (US$814,000). 60 of them have escaped from poverty. The Association has encouraged the wealthy ones to lend a helping hand to the poor, and provided saplings, labour force, and vocational training to help its poor members gain stable income. According to the provincial Department of Labour, Invalids and Social Affairs, the province has 37,541 and 17,395 poor and near poor households, respectively. The provincial branch of the Vietnam Bank for … [Read more...]

Assistance to help locals develop suitable livelihood to escape from poverty (Source: VNA) Ben Tre (VNA) – The Mekong Delta province of Ben Tre has implemented a plan with numerous programmes to help locals develop livelihoods and achieve sustainable poverty elimination from 2016 – 2020. So far, 8,928 poor and near poor households have joined the plan. After one year, those who have escaped from the poor status are still being supervised to ensure they achieve sustainable poverty elimination. Nguyen Thi Kim Thoa, Vice President of the provincial chapter of the Vietnam Women’s Union said, 754 out of 1,243 households of poor women have benefited from the plan, worth over 18.5 billion VND (814,000 USD). 60 of them have escaped from poverty. The Association has encouraged the wealthy ones to lend a helping hand to the poor, and provided saplings, labour … [Read more...]

The electronics industry is one of the most globally integrated industries in terms of organisation. Engaging in global electronics supply chains requires electronics companies to improve their competitiveness and ensure compliance with Vietnamese laws and international labour standards. This was affirmed by Mr Hoang Quang Phong, Vice President of the Vietnam Chamber of Commerce and Industry (VCCI), at the Dialogue on Promoting Labour Legislation Compliance in the supply chain of electronics sector, held in Hanoi by VCCI and the International Labour Organisation (ILO). Production processes in different countries and regions connect companies in many different stages in value chains through complicated ownership forms and inter-company relations. The development of this interconnection network is aimed to enhance performance and usually vertically structured. But, this may lead to more … [Read more...]

Wage hike will be less sharp in coming yearsThuy Dung HANOI – The recent spikes in the region-based minimum wages have put great pressure on employers. However, the coming rises will be less sharp as the current wages almost meet workers’ minimum living needs. Tong Thi Minh, head of the Department of Industrial Relations and Wage under the Ministry of Labor, War Invalids and Social Affairs, told the Daily on the sidelines of a press conference on the minimum wage hike for 2018 in Hanoi on August 7 that the past increases of the region-based minimum wages were quite strong, except for this year. The 2017 pay raise is lower than in previous years, at 7.3%, while the figure for next year is expected at 6.5%. As such, the minimum wage can now meet 92-96% of the minimum living needs of workers. “Wage rises in coming years will not be as sharp as in previous years,” Minh noted. However, she admitted, the newly proposed 6.5% pay raise would put huge pressure … [Read more...]

National Wage Council proposes 6.5% hike next yearThuy Dung After three rounds of negotiations, the National Wage Council has reached an agreement to push for a 6.5% hike in the region-based minimum wages next year - PHOTO: UYEN VIEN HANOI – After three rounds of negotiations, the National Wage Council has reached an agreement to push for a 6.5% hike in the region-based minimum wages next year. As such, the highest minimum wage would be VND3.98 million (US$175) in region one. At a press conference on the 2018 minimum wage hike in Hanoi on August 7, Doan Mau Diep, Deputy Minister of Labor, Invalids and Social Affairs and president of the National Wage Council, said the proposed pay raise would help meet 92-95% of the minimum living needs of workers. The council will ask the Government to consider and approve it. Diep noted representatives of the employer and the employee had taken a slew of factors into account to determine the final minimum … [Read more...]

The flag raising ceremony at the headquarters of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs was attended by Deputy Foreign Minister (FM) Bui Thanh Son, Deputy Minister of Labor, Invalids and Social Affairs Doan Mau Diep, and Vice Chairman of the Hanoi municipal People’s Committee Nguyen Van Suu, among others.  Delegates attending the flag raising ceremony in Hanoi  Foreign guests at the ceremony included heads of the diplomatic corps in Hanoi and Venezuela Ambassador to Vietnam Jorge Rondon Uzcategui, and ambassadors and embassy representatives of ASEAN member countries and ASEAN partner countries in the capital city.  Guards of honor approach positions  Addressing the ceremony, Deputy FM Bui Thanh Son emphasized that the foundation of the ASEAN Community in 2015 is a historic milestone in the connectivity … [Read more...]

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs held a flag raising ceremony in Hanoi on August 8 on the occasion of the 50th founding anniversary of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) and 22 years of Vietnam’s membership in the association. Officials participate in the ASEAN flag raising ceremony in Hanoi  The event was attended by Deputy Foreign Minister Bui Thanh Son, Deputy Minister of Labour, War Invalids and Social Affairs Doan Mau Diep, and Vice Chairman of Hanoi People’s Committee Nguyen Van Suu, among others. Foreign guests at the ceremony included head of the diplomatic corps in Hanoi and Ambassador of Venezuela Jorge Rondon Uzcategui, and Ambassadors and embassy representatives of ASEAN member countries and ASEAN partner countries in the capital city. Addressing the ceremony, Deputy FM Bui Thanh Son emphasised that the founding of the ASEAN Community in 2015 is a historic milestone in the … [Read more...]

Hanoi, August 8 (VNA) – The Ministry of Foreign Affairs held a flag raising ceremony in Hanoi on August 8 on the occasion of the 50th founding anniversary of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) and 22 years of Vietnam’s membership in the association.  The event was attended by Deputy Foreign Minister Bui Thanh Son, Deputy Minister of Labour, War Invalids and Social Affairs Doan Mau Diep, and Vice Chairman of Hanoi People’s Committee Nguyen Van Suu, among others.  Foreign guests at the ceremony included head of the diplomatic corps in Hanoi and Ambassador of Venezuela Jorge Rondon Uzcategui, and Ambassadors and embassy representatives of ASEAN member countries and ASEAN partner countries in the capital city.  Addressing the ceremony, Deputy FM Bui Thanh Son emphasised that the founding of the ASEAN Community in 2015 is a historic milestone in the connectivity process … [Read more...]

Officials participate in the ASEAN flag raising ceremony in Hanoi (Photo: VNA) Hanoi (VNA) – The Ministry of Foreign Affairs held a flag raising ceremony in Hanoi on August 8 on the occasion of the 50th founding anniversary of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) and 22 years of Vietnam’s membership in the association. The event was attended by Deputy Foreign Minister Bui Thanh Son, Deputy Minister of Labour, War Invalids and Social Affairs Doan Mau Diep, and Vice Chairman of Hanoi People’s Committee Nguyen Van Suu, among others. Foreign guests at the ceremony included head of the diplomatic corps in Hanoi and Ambassador of Venezuela Jorge Rondon Uzcategui, and Ambassadors and embassy representatives of ASEAN member countries and ASEAN partner countries in the capital city. Addressing the ceremony, Deputy FM Bui Thanh Son emphasised that the … [Read more...]