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)
