Five garment companies in Van Lam district in northern Vietnam – together with CNV Internationaal – concluded a multi-company collective bargaining agreement.
The Vietnam General Confederation of Labour (VGCL) and Vietnam Chamber of Commerce and Industry (VCCI) were also part of the agreement.
It’s a first-of-a-kind in Vietnam!
CNV Internationaal had successfully managed to make possible such a collective bargaining agreement in Indonesia in 2018.
The agreement aims at improving the working conditions of over 4,000 textile employees in Vietnam.
So, what does the agreement say?
- The employees will be paid a 13th month wage
- Allowance for meals as well as for personal care
- Women will get menstruation allowance
- All employees will now be entitled to a 40-minute break halfway through their eight-hour working day
- A paid day off for workers’ training
At the heart of this achievement is the work of a regional taskforce including at least 1 person from Human Resources and 2 trade unionists/production workers from each participating company.
What is notable is that these taskforce members have been trained by CNV with the intent of bringing benefits for both workers and management through the agreement.
Collective bargaining agreements that reflect the voices and fundamental rights of workers are essential to create decent wages and safe and healthy working conditions.