Hanoi played host to the 21st ASEAN Labour Ministers meeting and the ASEAN + 3 Labour Ministers meeting on May 24.
In the meetings, ASEAN labour ministers and delegates from China, Korea and Japan approved Vietnam’s initiatives about developing human resources to aide economic recovery and development throughout ASEAN. Vietnam suggested developing human resources and improving protection for workers as well as promoting cooperation within ASEAN.
In order to move ASEAN cooperation forward, the ministers adopted the 2010 – 2015 ASEAN Labour Ministers work program. There was also agreement to support Vietnam’s proposal of an ASEAN joint statement on human resources and skills development for economic recovery and growth to be submitted to leaders for adoption at the 17th ASEAN summit which will be held in Hanoi during October 2010.
Ms Nguyen Thi Kim Ngan, Vietnam's Minister of Labour, Invalids and Social Affairs, said that the ASEAN immigrant labour ministers have reviewed the implementation of cooperative programsme and projects since the 20th ALMM and the ASEAN socio-cultural community blueprint with a focus on human resources and skills development as well as industrial relations to help ASEAN address challenges and difficulties arising from the current economic and financial crisis.
According to the Singapore Manpower Minister Gan Kim Yong, these meeting have helped ASEAN to improve its human resources by creating chances for ASEAN leaders to discuss difficulties surrounding labour issues, find the ways to help each other improve the quality of the workforce as well as the working environment. In addition, the ministers can understand not only the diversity of each ASEAN country but also their concerns.
Speaking in the ALMM 21, Prime Minister Nguyen Tan Dung confirmed that developing human resources will foster cooperation in ASEAN about labour in particular and in general as well as adapt the aims which the International Labour Organization (ILO) raised.
Vietnam’s proposal to accept Lao as a new member to join the ASEAN documents writing committee was also approved during the meetings.
Malaysia and Korea both utilise Vietnamese labourers Malaysia Labour Minister S.Subramaniam: The cooperation about labour between Malaysia and Vietnam is very good. There are a large number of Vietnamese working in many factories in Malaysia. They work very hard and contribute efficiently to the Malaysian economy. Therefore, the Malaysian government always tries to ensure all their rights, protect them and create a good working environment. When companies in Malaysia require foreign workers, we will continue to hire Vietnamese. Korean Labour Vice Minister Lee, Chae-Pil: I think Vietnamese workers are very excellent and highly skilled. Many employers in Korea prefer to hire Vietnamese workers over others. Currently, many Vietnamese are working in Korea. I hope this will continue in the future. |
