In a recent report published by Bangkok-based advocacy group Project88, it was revealed that Vietnam’s ruling Communist Party has instructed officials to tighten control over trade unions as the country prepares to expand workers’ rights. Alongside this directive, officials are also tasked with closely monitoring foreign organizations and citizens traveling abroad.
The internal directive issued by the Politburo of the party in July, as reported by Project88, contains orders that may seem contradictory to Vietnam’s commitments under international trade agreements aimed at improving the protection of workers. While the authenticity of the document could not be independently verified, some parts of it were mentioned in state media.
One of the measures outlined in the directive involves ensuring the continued control of party cells and government management at all levels in the implementation of a U.N. convention on workers’ rights that Vietnam plans to ratify this year. Despite the convention’s objective of allowing the establishment of trade unions, the directive mandates officials to prevent such organizations from forming based on ethnicity or religion.
The International Labour Organization’s office in Vietnam did not respond to requests for comment, and the country’s foreign ministry, responsible for handling queries from foreign media, also remained silent on the matter.
Furthermore, the internal directive highlights a crackdown on foreign aid by urging officials to closely manage international cooperation activities and reject funding for projects deemed sensitive. Officials are also instructed to prevent any threats to national security arising from reforms that could potentially lead to foreign investors acquiring dominant stakes in crucial economic sectors.
In a move to maintain political control, the one-party state reminds officials in the directive that independent political organizations are not permitted in the country. Security measures are to be heightened in industrial parks, residential areas, economic zones, and locations with a significant concentration of workers.
Citizens of Vietnam traveling abroad are to be subject to close monitoring, as outlined in the analysis of the internal document provided by Project88. Additionally, the media is encouraged to play a more active role in combating civil disobedience, countering threats from hostile forces, and preserving the nation’s customs and traditions in the face of foreign influences.
The directives outlined in the document shed light on Vietnam’s approach to managing trade unions, international cooperation, foreign investment, political organizations, and citizen surveillance. As the country aims to ratify the U.N. convention on workers’ rights, these measures reflect a complex balance between expanding workers’ rights and maintaining political control.
It remains to be seen how these directives will be implemented and what impact they will have on Vietnam’s domestic policies and international relations. The conflicting priorities of protecting workers’ rights while monitoring foreign influences present a challenge for the ruling Communist Party as it navigates the evolving landscape of global trade and politics.
With concerns raised by advocacy groups like Project88, the spotlight is now on Vietnam’s government to address questions regarding the balance between promoting workers’ rights and preserving national security in a rapidly changing world.
(Reporting by Reuters staff)
