Better Work Viet Nam
In operation since July 2009, Better Work Viet Nam aims to improve the working conditions and competitiveness of Viet Nam's garment and footwear industry.
In operation since July 2009, Better Work Viet Nam aims to improve the working conditions and competitiveness of Viet Nam’s garment and footwear industry. Around 400 factories across the country actively participate in the programme with nearly 700,000 employees, of whom 78 per cent are women. The programme promotes labour standards and competitiveness at the workplace through training services and seminars as well as advisory and compliance assessments.
At the national level, Better Work Viet Nam collaborates with central tripartite partners, including the Ministry of Labour, the Viet Nam Chamber of Commerce and Industry and the Viet Nam General Confederation of Labour. Together, Better Work Viet Nam and the tripartite partners work to promote labour law reforms that align Viet Nam with international labour standards and ILO Conventions. Such partnership is necessary for Viet Nam to fully participate in global supply chains in line with the terms of its existing free trade agreements. Better Work Viet Nam’s role in connecting global brands and retailers with social partners. This integrated approach ensures continuous improvement of working conditions.
Strategic Goals
Better Work Viet Nam's 2023-2027 strategic phase will work to achieve the following outcomes:
By 2027, a joint and inclusive roadmap for a scalable approach to high and sustained compliance and social dialogue agreed to by, and jointly implemented with, programme partners.
By 2027, employers and workers and their representatives in the Better Work programme uphold and are protected by national labour laws and fundamental principles and rights at work; enterprises in the sector that have emerged from the COVID-19 crisis are more sustainable, resilient and inclusive.
By 2027, Better Work’s impact on workers, businesses and compliance is sustained by national institutions that leverage the programme’s approaches, data and evidence.
By 2027, enterprises that participate in Better Work have adopted policies and practices on responsible business conduct that support the realization of decent work.
By 2027, Better Work’s knowledge and methods have created positive social and environmental impacts beyond the programme as they are adopted in other countries and sectors.
Latest news
Greening Viet Nam’s textile and garment sector: a high stakes challenge
Viet Nam’s rapid economic growth and industrialization over the last 30 years has resulted in some of the fastest-growing greenhouse gas emission (GHG) rates in the world. The country now pivots for a greener future.
ILO Director-General visits Better Work-enrolled factory in Viet Nam to talk balance between economic growth and decent work
President of National Council of Switzerland visits Better Work Viet Nam participating factory in Hai Duong province
An inside look at making clothes: 360° factory tour
Priority themes in Viet Nam
Better Work Viet Nam's work focuses on six of these cross-cutting themes, which are essential to achieving our strategic outcomes and will be present in our factory engagement, research, policy influencing and content produced as well as affect how we allocate our human and financial resources:
Data and Evidence
In the context of the government’s priority on the Industrial Revolution 4.0 and the application of digital platforms by the national constituents and industry partners, the programme will optimize the use of digital technologies in communications and the delivery of services. Better Work Viet Nam will also collect qualitative data on the implementation of the collective bargaining agreements to identify best practices in effectively implementing mature industrial relations at the enterprise and sector levels
Social Dialogue
In the context of the government’s priority on the Industrial Revolution 4.0 and the application of digital platforms by the national constituents and industry partners, the programme will optimize the use of digital technologies in communications and the delivery of services. Better Work Viet Nam will also collect qualitative data on the implementation of the collective bargaining agreements to identify best practices in effectively implementing mature industrial relations at the enterprise and sector levels
Gender Equality and Inclusion
In the context of the government’s priority on the Industrial Revolution 4.0 and the application of digital platforms by the national constituents and industry partners, the programme will optimize the use of digital technologies in communications and the delivery of services. Better Work Viet Nam will also collect qualitative data on the implementation of the collective bargaining agreements to identify best practices in effectively implementing mature industrial relations at the enterprise and sector levels
Occupational Safety and Health
In the context of the government’s priority on the Industrial Revolution 4.0 and the application of digital platforms by the national constituents and industry partners, the programme will optimize the use of digital technologies in communications and the delivery of services. Better Work Viet Nam will also collect qualitative data on the implementation of the collective bargaining agreements to identify best practices in effectively implementing mature industrial relations at the enterprise and sector levels
Productivity and Business Performance
In the context of the government’s priority on the Industrial Revolution 4.0 and the application of digital platforms by the national constituents and industry partners, the programme will optimize the use of digital technologies in communications and the delivery of services. Better Work Viet Nam will also collect qualitative data on the implementation of the collective bargaining agreements to identify best practices in effectively implementing mature industrial relations at the enterprise and sector levels
Environmental protection and addressing climate change
In the context of the government’s priority on the Industrial Revolution 4.0 and the application of digital platforms by the national constituents and industry partners, the programme will optimize the use of digital technologies in communications and the delivery of services. Better Work Viet Nam will also collect qualitative data on the implementation of the collective bargaining agreements to identify best practices in effectively implementing mature industrial relations at the enterprise and sector levels
