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Vietnam set to ratify key UN trade union convention this year

Vietnam is set to ratify the UN’s Freedom of Association and Protection of the Right to Organise Convention this year, Reuters is reporting citing UN officials and diplomats.This would essential give workers the right to organise their own trade unions independent of the government–currently, all trade unions must be affiliated with the Vietnam General Confederation of Labour which is an extension of the national government.

Reuters also notes that ratifying the agreement is a condition of the Comprehensive and Progressive Agreement for Trans-Pacific Partnership agreement and the European Union-Vietnam Free Trade Agreement.

Analysis: The big question here is how this will materialise on a practical level. Unwritten rules play a big part in everyday life in Vietnam. Whereas the ability to form an independent trade union may become codified, there are myriad ways that Vietnam’s political elite will be able to influence their structure and leadership. For example, the mainstream media is state controlled could make disseminating an independent trade union’s message or purpose challenging without government support.

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