HANOI, Viet Nam (ILO News) – The capacity of trade unions in Viet Nam has been strengthened to help them support the transition towards a greener chemical and pharmaceutical industry.

The chemical and pharmaceutical industry has one of the highest environmental footprints in Viet Nam due to unsystematic treatment of wastewater disposal of chemical substances.

Some 38 trade unionists, mainly from chemical companies in northern Viet Nam, participated in the Green Jobs and Just Transition capacity-building training that took place 14-15 December 2022, in Hanoi, Viet Nam.

Held by the ILO and Vietnam General Confederation of Labour, the training was assisted by the Vietnam National Union of Workers in Industry and Trade (VUIT) and supported by the ILO-Japan partnership programme.

The training introduced participants to the ILO Guidelines on Just Transition towards environmentally sustainable economies and societies for all, which guides policies in addressing the climate emergency while ensuring a human-centered approach. The ILO Mini Toolkit for the Chemical and Pharmaceutical Industries to facilitate the practical application of the ILO Guidelines by trade unions was introduced. The environmental impact assessment (EIA) system and regulations on the safe use of chemicals and occupational safety and health (OSH) requirements in Viet Nam were also covered.

In the opening remarks, Ms Ingrid Christensen, Director of ILO Country Office for Viet Nam, highlighted the importance of countries’ commitment to addressing environmental challenges as agreed in COP 21, in which the Just Transition was recognized as a global solution for climate change.

Mr Tran Quang Huy, President of Vietnam National Union of Workers in Industry and Trade (VUIT) also highlighted the importance of the Just Transition.

“Just Transition refers not only to environmental impacts, but also economic and social impacts for all affected parties. Thus, Just Transition promotes equality and equity for workers and surrounding communities,” he said.

The ILO’s “Making Just Transition Work through Stronger Workers’ Organizations in Chemical and Pharmaceutical Industries” project works with the Vietnam General Confederation of Labour (VGCL) to improve the technical knowledge and institutional capacity of trade unions in order to promote a Just Transition of the chemical and pharmaceutical industry towards greener economy and green jobs.

For further information please contact:

Pong-Sul Ahn
Regional Specialist in Workers' Education
ILO Regional Office for Asia and the Pacific
Email: ahn@ilo.org

Eric Roeder
Technical Specialist on Green Jobs, Climate Action and Resilience through Just Transition - Asia Pacific Region
ILO Decent Work Technical Support Team for East and South-East Asia and the Pacific
Email: roeder@ilo.org