The delegation of Vietnam Industry and Trade Union was led by Mr. Nguyen Huy Thong - Member of the Standing Committee of Vietnam Industry and Trade Union, Chairman of Vietnam Chemical Industry Union - as Head of the delegation.
The conference was organized by the Global Union of Industrial and Manufacturing Workers (IndustriALL) in Mumba, India with the participation of many Asian countries such as Vietnam, Thailand, Philippines, Indonesia and host India.
In her welcome speech, Ms. Christine Oliver - Assistant Secretary General of IndustriALL - highlighted the challenges that global manufacturing industries in general and the chemical industry in particular are facing. Notably, there has been a significant decline in the number of workers in the chemical industry, with the example of BASF - the world's largest German chemical manufacturing joint venture with more than 50,000 employees in its heyday but now only about 30,000 employees.
At the conference, countries shared their experiences in organizing trade union activities in the chemical industry. These included ways to attract and retain workers; ensure hygiene and occupational safety in an industry with many potential risks; and timely support policies for workers who have accidents during the production process.
After 2 working days, the conference achieved many positive results. Mr. Tom Grinter - Director of Chemicals and Pharmaceuticals, IndustriALL - thanked the delegates for their enthusiastic exchange of information and hoped that the sharing at the conference would be realized in the action plans of the Trade Unions of the countries.
