The program was organized by the Vietnam General Confederation of Labor in coordination with UNICEF and the Nghe An Provincial Labor Federation with the participation of more than 300 union officials, union members, and workers at factories and enterprises in Nghe An province.
Speaking at the program, Ms. Tran Thu Phuong, Deputy Head of Women's Union - Vietnam General Confederation of Labor said that the program aims to improve knowledge and skills to help prevent and reduce child labor, while promoting training and vocational development policies for young workers, contributing to building a sustainable working environment and creating conditions for the development of young human resources.
According to information from the forum, in Vietnam, 2018 data shows that there are an estimated 1 million children under 17 years old participating in labor. Of these, 519,805 children are engaged in hazardous work, with 20.1% of child laborers working more than 42 hours/week. This can have long-term consequences on children's physical and mental development and affect economic development.
For young workers, although there are labor law regulations on working time and conditions for this group, most of them need guidance and support from employers and trade unions.
Since 2018, with the help of the United Nations Children's Fund UNICEF, Vietnam has integrated transferable skills into vocational training for children aged 15-18 in a number of localities. The results have been highly appreciated by vocational training institutions and learners and should be recommended for widespread application.
At the forum, Ms. Nguyen Thi Minh Huong, lecturer of the Vietnam Youth Academy, provided knowledge about child labor, prevention and reduction of young labor; vocational training and skills needed for young laborers... through the form of asking questions.
Although the time was not long, the forum was very exciting and effective, providing the most basic knowledge about the current situation and harmful effects of child labor, the current situation of young labor and vocational training for young laborers. At the same time, it pointed out the responsibility of society, trade unions, and employers in preventing and reducing child labor.
Ending hazardous child labor and improving occupational health and safety for young workers will help the next generation start their careers as productive workers, with fair incomes, capable of contributing to society and economic growth. From there, contributing to improving the safety and health of workers, ensuring a better life for each individual and family...
The forum “Preventing, reducing child labor and protecting and improving skills for young workers” is part of a series of programs to protect, care for and educate children, creating the best development environment for them, thereby helping them to maximize their qualities, abilities and strengths, contributing to an increasingly civilized and better family and society.
It is known that Nghe An is one of four provinces in the country where the Vietnam General Confederation of Labor in collaboration with the United Nations Children's Fund UNICEF organized the Forum "Preventing and reducing child labor and protecting and improving skills for young workers".
