Independent
Labour Union Created To Provide Real Protection for Vietnamese Workers
Hanoi, October 20, 2006
The President of the Socialist Republic of Vietnam
Vietnam General Confederation of Labour
Media organizations in Vietnam and overseas
c.c.
International Labour Organization
European Trade Union Confederation
All labour unions in the world
Sirs, Mesdames:
Over the last 20 years, since economic reforms were implemented in Vietnam, more
and more foreign investors have come to our country to exploit its abundant and
cheap labour. Private firms owned and operated by Vietnamese nationals have also
flourished. Currently, the private sector in Vietnam plays a crucial role in the
country’s economic activities, and accounts for over one half of its Gross
Domestic Product, especially regarding exports.
With the development of the private sector, the sector’s workers have also made
significant progress. Over the last 20 years, not only has their number
increased, but their skills have improved substantially, to the extent that they
are now at par with their counterparts in other countries in the Pacific Region.
Despite these achievements, however, Vietnamese workers are still living and
working in squalid conditions. They are badly treated by their employers, and
are often subject to harassment, the threat of dismissal, and even beatings,
without protection from anyone. The exports they produce are highly regarded for
their quality, but the workers’ compensation is very low compared to that of
their regional counterparts.
The majority of these workers do not have medical insurance or adequate health
care. They work even when they are sick, lest their employers fire them. There
is no adequate protection for these workers.
The existing Vietnamese General Confederation of Labour has been incapable of
providing these workers either material or spiritual protection. This is why,
over the last few years, there have been thousands of work stoppages as
thousands of workers have fought for improvements in their working conditions.
However, their demands have not been addressed. They are subject to the whims of
their employers. No organization is available to protect them.
According to Articles 53 and 69 of Vietnam’s Constitution,
• Workers have the right to participate in the management of state and social
business and in discussions on issues of common interest, to petition the
government regarding their grievances, and to vote in state referenda;
• All citizens have freedom of expression, freedom of the press, and freedom to
assemble, form organizations, and demonstrate within the confines of the law.
Based on these provisions and in view of the urgent need to provide protection
to Vietnamese workers, we hereby declare the creation of
The Independent Labour Union of Vietnam (ILUV)
The purposes of ILUV are as follows:
• To protect the legitimate rights of Vietnamese workers;
• To provide assistance to needy workers who become sick or disabled; and
• To promote solidarity among all workers.
We request the Vietnamese Communist Party, the Government of Vietnam, and the
state-sponsored and -controlled labour unions to help us in fulfilling our
responsibilities towards Vietnamese workers.
We respectfully call upon the International Labour Union to admit us as one of
its members. We commit ourselves to abide by all ILU rules and regulations.
We appeal to the European Trade Union Confederation and all labour unions in the
world to support and protect us in our initial development and future evolution.
We ask all overseas Vietnamese labour organizations, associations, and
individuals to help us build and develop ourselves.
We call upon all workers in the private sector in Vietnam to join the ILUV.
Together we will build a united organization designed to provide mutual support
in all circumstances. This is the only way to protect ourselves and to protect
the fruit of our labour.
On behalf of the ILUV:
Interim Executive Committee
Nguyen Khac Toan
Le Tri Tue
Tran Thien An
Interim Commissioners
Nguyen Cong Ly
Ngo Cong Quynh
Nguyen Thi Huong
Tran Hoang Duong
Pham Sy Thien
Nguyen Xuan Dao
Tran HuyenThanh
Luong Hoai Nam
Le Chi Dung
Tran Khai ThanhThuy
Tran Quoc Thuy
E-mail address: congdoandoclapvn@gmail.com
Appeal to Workers to Join the Independent Labour Union of Vietnam
To: All Vietnamese workers
Today, October 20, 2006, the Independent Labour Union of Vietnam (ILUV) is
officially launched in Hanoi. It was created with the sole purpose of providing
material and spiritual support to Vietnamese workers. It is not a political
organization and will not participate in political activities.
Every worker can join us. We will use all legal means and rely on our national
and international relationships to help us protect the material and spiritual
rights of our members.
In view of the above mandate and purposes, on behalf of the Executive Committee
of ILUV, we invite all Vietnamese workers to join us.
The ILUV commits itself to the support and protection of the legitimate material
and spiritual rights of its members.
On behalf of the Interim Executive Committee of ILUV,
Nguyen Khac Toan
President
(Translation into English by Can D. Le, Khai Q. Nguyen, Lacy Wright)