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U.S. - Vietnam Labor Dialogue

photo: Participants at the conclusion of the 2012 U.S.-Vietnam Labor Dialogue, Hanoi, Vietnam.

Participants at the conclusion of the 2012 U.S.-Vietnam Labor Dialogue in Hanoi, Vietnam.

The U.S. - Vietnam Labor Dialogue was established through a Memorandum of Understanding in 2000 between the U.S. Department of Labor (DOL) and the Vietnamese Ministry of Labor, Invalids and Social Affairs (MOLISA). It was extended through Letters of Understanding signed in August 2006 and August 2008. The Dialogue was established to provide a forum for the two sides to discuss labor issues, given the absence of labor provisions in the U.S. - Vietnam Bilateral Trade Agreement. The Office of International Relations (OIR) staffs and leads DOL participation in the Dialogue.

Upcoming Events

Fall 2013: The 2013 U.S. - Vietnam Labor Dialogue — The United States

The annual Dialogue will take place in the United States in 2013.

Previous Events

November 9, 2012: The 2012 U.S. - Vietnam Labor Dialogue — Hanoi, Vietnam
The annual U.S.-Vietnam Labor Dialogue took place on November 9, 2012 in Hanoi, Vietnam. Officials from MOLISA and DOL discussed issues of mutual concern related to labor law reform, labor inspections, and technical assistance. Associate Deputy Undersecretary of Labor for International Labor Affairs Mark Mittelhauser led the U.S. delegation.

June 25, 2012: Secretary Solis Meets Senior Vietnamese Officials
Secretary of Labor Hilda Solis met with Madam Nguyen Thi Kim Ngan, vice president of Vietnam’s National Assembly, and accompanying senior officials including the labor minister, Madam Pham Thi Hai Chuyen, on June 25 at the U.S. Department of Labor. They discussed the importance of addressing employment challenges, Vietnam’s recent labor law reform, protection for women, migrant and overseas workers, cooperation on labor policy and technical assistance activities under the long-standing U.S.-Vietnam Labor Dialogue, and the ongoing Trans-Pacific Partnership negotiations.
See photos from this event.

May 7-11, 2012: Vietnam Mid-term Dialogue — Hanoi, Vietnam
A DOL delegation led by Associate Deputy Undersecretary Mark Mittelhauser visited Vietnam the week of May 7 to conduct a mid-term session of the U.S.-Vietnam Labor Dialogue with MOLISA. The delegation met with key National Assembly members to discuss labor law reform. The team also discussed with MOLISA officials the design of a two-year, $1.5 million project on labor inspection. In addition, DOL and MOLISA renewed until 2015 the Letter of Understanding which promotes labor cooperation and dialogue.

Letter of Understanding between DOL and MOLISA regarding Continuing Labor Cooperation, 2012 — (Word) | (PDF)

November 10, 2011: U.S. — Vietnam Labor Dialogue — Washington, DC
The annual U.S.-Vietnam Labor Dialogue took place on November 10 in Washington, D.C. Vietnam's vice minister of labor, Mr. Pham Minh Huan, led a Vietnamese delegation and met with a U.S. delegation headed by Deputy Undersecretary Sandra Polaski to discuss the Better Work Program in Vietnam, ongoing labor law reform and technical cooperation projects to improve industrial relations. Mr. Jason Kearns, minority trade counsel on the House Committee on Ways and Means discussed the importance of addressing labor standards in the context of trade negotiations.

June 13, 2011: U.S. — Vietnam Midterm Review Meeting — Geneva, Switzerland
DOL Deputy Undersecretary for International Affairs Sandra Polaski met with MOLISA Vice Minister Nguyen Thanh Hoa to discuss ongoing bilateral cooperation and preparations for the 2011 annual Labor Dialogue.

Resources

Questions?

Christopher Watson
(202) 693-4858
Watson.christopher@dol.gov