ILO and the Vietnam Chamber of Commerce and Industry advance responsible business conduct agenda

Hanoi, Viet Nam (ILO News) - The meeting, led by Ms. Sinwon Park, Director of the ILO Office in Viet Nam, and Ms. Tran Thi Lan Anh, Secretary General of VCCI, with participation from Mr. Gary Rynhart, Senior Employers' Specialist, ILO ACT/EMP (Asia-Pacific), focused on how to better support enterprises in moving from policy commitments to practical implementation of labour standards.

As part of the discussions, participants reviewed ongoing ILO projects in Viet Nam to assess how effectively they are supporting enterprises in the RBC space. While a wide range of initiatives are in place, the review highlighted the need for stronger coordination, greater coherence, and a clearer focus on enterprise-level systems. Requirements linked to ESG, human rights due diligence (HRDD), and supply chain compliance are increasingly embedded in buyer expectations, contracts, and international frameworks. Enterprises are expected to demonstrate systems for managing labour risks, including wages, working conditions, occupational safety and health, and workplace dialogue. This was a key area of discussion. Responsible business conduct is emerging as a core area where VCCI intends to develop services, particularly to help companies meet growing international requirements.

The electronics sector is a key priority for engagement, given its central role in Viet Nam's export economy and its exposure to global supply chain requirements. The ILO is already supporting this sector through its work with major brands, focused on strengthening workplace systems related to labour standards, compliance, and social dialogue. This work supports building practical enterprise-level systems-such as grievance mechanisms, recruitment practices, and risk management processes-that align with responsible business conduct expectations. A proposed electronics sector forum as a structured, ongoing platform for dialogue, bringing together enterprises, government and workers to address implementation challenges more systematically and support the scaling of good practices across the sector is scheduled for later in 2026.