It is now high time for Vietnam to join Convention 105 (C105) on the abolition of forced labor, one of the core conventions of the International Labor Organization (ILO), Minister of Labor, Invalids and Social Affairs Dao Ngoc Dung said at a National Assembly meeting on May 20.

Dung stressed the necessity to join the convention as it has implications on all political, socio-economic and legal aspects of Vietnam. The country’s adherence to C105 will not change Vietnam’s international obligations as the country has already been member of the ILO's Convention No.29 on Forced Labor since 2007.

Minister Dao Ngoc Dung makes a presentation report on acceding to Convention 105. Photo: Quochoi.vn

The minister said Vietnam’s participation in the convention was in accordance with the Party’s guidelines to ensure human and civil rights. It demonstrated Vietnam’s political commitment to implementing obligations as an ILO member state and new generation free trade agreements.

Dung noted that the country’s participation in C105 will contribute to the implementation of Vietnam’s foreign policy of international integration.

Joining C105 will fulfill the obligations of an ILO member. According to the 1998 ILO Declaration, ILO member countries, whether they have acceded to the eight fundamental ILO Conventions or not, including C105, are obliged to comply with the labor standards provided for in these conventions, the minister stressed.

He added that C105’s standards have been incorporated into Vietnam’s commitments under the EU-Vietnam Free Trade Agreement (EVFTA) and Comprehensive and Progressive Agreement for Trans-Pacific Partnership (CPTPP). Vietnam’s accession to C105 would send a strong message to the international community and trading partners showing that Vietnam is a serious and responsible member with its international commitments.

On asking for the parliament's approval on joining C105, Vice State President Dang Thi Ngoc Thinh said that in the context that Vietnam is strengthening economic and international integration, the accession to C105 is of great significance to all political, socio-economic and legal aspects.

Joining the convention will contribute to affirming and implementing the Vietnamese Party's and State's foreign policies and international integration, as well as Vietnam's strong political commitment as a member state of the ILO, the vice president emphasized.