Hanoi (VNA) –The issue of labour productivity attracted much attention at a forum in Hanoion September 24 that focused on Vietnamese trade unions’ support for the Government’sefforts to improve national competitiveness and sustainable development.

The forum, part of the activities for 12thCongress of the Vietnam General Confederation of Labour, was attended by PrimeMinister Nguyen Xuan Phuc, Chairwoman of the Party Central Committee’sCommission for Mass Mobilisation Truong Thi Mai, Deputy Prime Ministers Vu DucDam and Vuong Dinh Hue, and many other officials.

Nguyen Khoa Hoai Huong, Presidentof the provincial Thua Thien-Hue Confederation of Labour, said Vietnam’s labourproductivity is particularly low compared to other countries in the region and aroundthe world, a factor which is attributable to the lack of skills education, discordantinterests between employers and employees, and unreasonable salaries andwelfare for workers.

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

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

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

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

Loi called for vocationaltraining 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 theFourth Industrial Revolution and the country’s economic integration.

The Government’s plan forsocial housing development has set a target of 250,000 houses to be built by2020 for workers, however only just over 10 percent of them have beenconstructed so far, Loi told the participants.

The official asked theGovernment to propose that the National Assembly approve a loan package forworkers to buy houses, noting that this will help the working class improvetheir basic living conditions, and thus promote their labour productivity.–VNA