Forum stresses labour productivity in national competitiveness

Nguyen Khoa Hoai Huong, President of the provincial Thua Thien-Hue Confederation of Labour, speaks at the forum on September 24 (Photo: VNA)

The forum, part of the activities for 12th Congress of the Vietnam General Confederation of Labour, was attended by Prime Minister Nguyen Xuan Phuc, Chairwoman of the Party Central Committee’s Commission for Mass Mobilisation Truong Thi Mai, Deputy Prime Ministers Vu Duc Dam and Vuong Dinh Hue, and many other officials.

Nguyen Khoa Hoai Huong, President of the provincial Thua Thien-Hue Confederation of Labour, said Vietnam’s labour productivity is particularly low compared to other countries in the region and around the world, a factor which is attributable to the lack of skills education, discordant interests between employers and employees, and unreasonable salaries and welfare for workers.

She said authorised agencies should release statistics each year to orient people towards ‘hot’ sectors and jobs so that they can learn and practice the skills necessary for future work. Businesses and employers should devise measures to improve awareness and professionalism amongst workers, Huong added.

Meanwhile, the material interests of employers and employees need to be harmonised and included in collective bargaining agreements so as to enhance workers’ trust in their businesses, she said.

Vice Chairman of the National Assembly’s Committee for Social Affairs Bui Sy Loi said labour productivity in Vietnam is equivalent to 102 million VND (nearly 4,400 USD) per capita at present, proving that labour productivity has increased considerably in recent times. 

If the quality of human resources improves, then labour productivity will rise, he said, attributing the low productivity to the limited training for workers. Although 57 percent of existing human resources have been trained, only 21 percent have received vocational training for a minimum of three months and obtained certificates.

Loi called for vocational training to be stepped up, not only for new workers but also existing labourers, so as to create a high-quality workforce able to meet the requirements of the Fourth Industrial Revolution and the country’s economic integration.

The Government’s plan for social housing development has set a target of 250,000 houses to be built by 2020 for workers, however only just over 10 percent of them have been constructed so far, Loi told the participants.

The official asked the Government to propose that the National Assembly approve a loan package for workers to buy houses, noting that this will help the working class improve their basic living conditions, and thus promote their labour productivity./.

VNA