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 by promoting labour standards and competitiveness at the workplace through training services and seminars as well as advisory and compliance assessments.

Operating Since

2014

Brands and Retailers

28

Factories

314

Workers

752,196

The average firm enrolled in Better Work Viet Nam for four years increases its revenue-to cost ratio by around 25 per cent.

Firms that have participated in Better Work Viet Nam for at least four years have closed the gender pay gap by 85 per cent.

Through training and capacity building, women workers have gained requisite technical knowledge and skills to qualify for and be promoted to more senior managerial positions in Viet Nam.

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.

MORE ABOUT THE PROGRAMME
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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

Featured 19 Jul 2023

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.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Our Partners

We bring all levels of the garment industry together to improve working conditions and drive sustainability.
Governments

Governments

Ministry of Labour (MOLISA) Ministry of Industry and Trade (MOIT)
Factories and manufacturers

Employers

Viet Nam Chamber of Commerce and Industry Viet Nam (VCCI) Viet Nam Textile and Apparel Association (VITAS)
Workers

Workers & Unions

Viet Nam General Confederation of Labour Provincial Federation of Labour
Brands and retailers

Brands and Retailers

45 brands

Our Development Partners

from the people of Japan (1)

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