The delegation consists of 3 members led by Mr. Nguyễn Đức Thịnh - Member of the Presidium of the Vietnam General Confederation of Labor (VGCL), Head of the International Relations Department of the VGCL, and Member of the ATUC Executive Committee.
The conference was attended by 30 delegates and observers from 18 ATUC member trade unions, along with guests including the General Secretary of the International Trade Union Confederation Asia-Pacific (ITUC-AP) and representatives from the Workers' Activities Branch of the International Labour Organization (ILO ACTRAV).
In his opening speech, Mr. Andi Gani Nena Wea - President of ATUC welcomed the delegates and guests to the conference and expressed his belief that the active and effective participation of ATUC member organizations in the conference would contribute to strengthening the organization, making ATUC a true partner of ASEAN on labor issues in the near future.
Attending and speaking at the opening, Mr. Shoya Yoshida - General Secretary of ITUC-AP stated that to build a better ASEAN, cooperation and dialogue are indispensable, in which ATUC, as the representative organization for workers in the region, established in 1984, has always been steadfast in its goal of promoting social progress and ensuring prosperity is fairly distributed to workers. Ms. Yuki Otsugi - representative of ILO ACTRAV also affirmed ACTRAV's support for ATUC's activities in the coming time and appreciated ATUC's efforts in promoting its influence and participation in labor mechanisms within ASEAN.
The topics focused on for discussion included: Report on ATUC's activities from 2018-2023 and priority action plans for the period up to 2027; providing opinions on amending ATUC's Charter; updating information on ATUC's status in ASEAN's tripartite mechanism; updating the situation of the Myanmar trade union movement; policies on admitting new members to ATUC, specifically the case of Brunei.
After two days of active and effective work, the conference approved important contents, including: (1) Changing the organization's abbreviation from ATUC to ASEANTUC; (2) Approving ASEANTUC's priority programs for the next 5 years, focusing on the following contents: Continuing to promote dialogue with ASEAN; Programs for women and youth labor; Programs on migrant labor and equal treatment for migrant workers; Promoting the implementation of sustainable development goals (SDG) and just transition; Strengthening social security systems; The future of work, digitization, and precarious employment; (3) Agreeing on the process of researching and proposing amendments to ASEANTUC's Charter to be submitted to the nearest Congress for approval; (4) Approving ASEANTUC's resolution supporting the Confederation of Trade Unions Myanmar (CTUM) and the struggle to regain democratic governance for the working people of Myanmar; (5) Requesting ITUC to investigate and assess the situation of the trade union movement in Brunei, providing information for ASEANTUC to consider admitting new members from this country if the activities ensure democracy and independence.
The conference expressed deep condolences to the Vietnam General Confederation of Labor, its members, and Vietnamese workers on the passing of Comrade Nguyễn Phú Trọng, General Secretary of the Central Committee of the Communist Party of Vietnam.
At the conference, Mr. Nguyễn Đức Thịnh shared some important results of the 13th Congress of the Vietnam Trade Union, highlighting the prominent activities of the Vietnam Trade Union in representing, caring for, and protecting the legitimate rights and interests of workers, contributing to the country's development. The Vietnam Trade Union affirmed its commitment to continue actively and responsibly participating in ASEANTUC's activities in the coming time to better promote the role of the ASEAN trade union movement in protecting rights, improving living and working conditions, and providing decent jobs for workers in the region. Mr. Nguyễn Đức Thịnh also conveyed the gratitude of the leadership of the Vietnam General Confederation of Labor to the leaders of ATUC and member organizations for sending condolences on the passing of Comrade Nguyễn Phú Trọng.
The delegation of the Vietnam Trade Union attending the ATUC Executive Committee Conference is an important multilateral foreign activity of the Vietnam Trade Union, contributing to strengthening and tightening relations with trade union organizations in the region, and contributing to the overall results of people's diplomacy.
