Keep Us Strong WikiLeaks logo

Currently released so far... 97115 / 251,287

Articles

Browse latest releases

Browse by creation date

Browse by origin

A B C D F G H I J K L M N O P Q R S T U V W Y Z

Browse by tag

A B C D E F G H I J K L M N O P Q R S T U V W X Y Z
ETRD EAGR ETTC EAID ECON EFIN ECIN EINV ELAB EAIR ENRG EPET EWWT ECPS EIND EMIN ELTN EC ETMIN EUC EZ ET ELECTIONS ENVR EU EUN EG EINT ER ECONOMICS ES EMS ENIV EEB EN ECE ECOSOC EK ENVIRONMENT EFIS EI EWT ENGRD ECPSN EXIM EIAD ERIN ECPC EDEV ENGY ECTRD EPA ESTH ECCT EINVECON ENGR ERTD EUR EAP EWWC ELTD EL EXIMOPIC EXTERNAL ETRDEC ESCAP ECO EGAD ELNT ECONOMIC ENV ETRN EIAR EUMEM ENRGPARMOTRASENVKGHGPGOVECONTSPLEAID EREL ECOM ECONETRDEAGRJA ETCC ETRG ECONOMY EMED ETR ENERG EITC EFINOECD EURM EENG ERA EXPORT ENRD ECONEINVETRDEFINELABETRDKTDBPGOVOPIC EGEN EBRD EVIN ETRAD ECOWAS EFTA ECONETRDBESPAR EGOVSY EPIN EID ECONENRG EDRC ESENV ETT EB ENER ELTNSNAR ECHEVARRIA ETRC EPIT EDUC ESA EFI ENRGY ESCI EE EAIDXMXAXBXFFR EETC ECIP EIAID EIVN EBEXP ESTN EING EGOV ETRA EPETEIND ELAN ETRDGK EAIDRW ETRDEINVECINPGOVCS EPEC ENVI ELN EAG EPCS EPRT EPTED ETRB EUM EAIDS EFIC EFINECONEAIDUNGAGM EAIDAR ESF EIDN ELAM EDU EV EAIDAF ECN EDA EXBS EINTECPS ENRGTRGYETRDBEXPBTIOSZ EPREL EAC EINVEFIN ETA EAGER EINDIR ECA ECLAC ELAP EITI EUCOM ECONEFINETRDPGOVEAGRPTERKTFNKCRMEAID EARG ELDIN EINVKSCA ENNP EFINECONCS EFINTS ECCP ETC EAIRASECCASCID EINN ETRP EAIDNI EFQ ECOQKPKO EGPHUM EBUD ECONEINVEFINPGOVIZ ENERGY ELB EINDETRD EMI ECONEFIN EIB EURN ETRDEINVTINTCS EIN EFIM ETIO ELAINE EMN EATO EWTR EIPR EINVETC ETTD ETDR EIQ ECONCS EPPD ENRGIZ EISL ESPINOSA ELEC EAIG ESLCO EUREM ENTG ERD EINVECONSENVCSJA EEPET EUNCH ECINECONCS ETRO ETRDECONWTOCS ECUN EFND EPECO EAIRECONRP ERGR ETRDPGOV ECPN ENRGMO EPWR EET EAIS EAGRE EDUARDO EAGRRP EAIDPHUMPRELUG EICN ECONQH EVN EGHG ELBR EINF EAIDHO EENV ETEX ERNG ED
KMDR KPAO KPKO KJUS KCRM KGHG KFRD KWMN KDEM KTFN KHIV KGIC KIDE KSCA KNNP KHUM KIPR KSUM KISL KIRF KCOR KRCM KPAL KWBG KN KS KOMC KSEP KFLU KPWR KTIA KSEO KMPI KHLS KICC KSTH KMCA KVPR KPRM KE KU KZ KFLO KSAF KTIP KTEX KBCT KOCI KOLY KOR KAWC KACT KUNR KTDB KSTC KLIG KSKN KNN KCFE KCIP KGHA KHDP KPOW KUNC KDRL KV KPREL KCRS KPOL KRVC KRIM KGIT KWIR KT KIRC KOMO KRFD KUWAIT KG KFIN KSCI KTFIN KFTN KGOV KPRV KSAC KGIV KCRIM KPIR KSOC KBIO KW KGLB KMWN KPO KFSC KSEAO KSTCPL KSI KPRP KREC KFPC KUNH KCSA KMRS KNDP KR KICCPUR KPPAO KCSY KTBT KCIS KNEP KFRDCVISCMGTCASCKOCIASECPHUMSMIGEG KNNB KGCC KINR KPOP KMFO KENV KNAR KVIR KDRG KDMR KFCE KNAO KDEN KGCN KICA KIMMITT KMCC KLFU KMSG KSEC KUM KCUL KMNP KSMT KCOM KOMCSG KSPR KPMI KRAD KIND KCRP KAUST KWAWC KTER KCHG KRDP KPAS KITA KTSC KPAOPREL KWGB KIRP KJUST KMIG KLAB KTFR KSEI KSTT KAPO KSTS KLSO KWNN KPOA KHSA KNPP KPAONZ KBTS KWWW KY KJRE KPAOKMDRKE KCRCM KSCS KWMNCI KESO KWUN KPLS KIIP KEDEM KPAOY KRIF KGICKS KREF KTRD KFRDSOCIRO KTAO KJU KWMNPHUMPRELKPAOZW KEN KO KNEI KEMR KKIV KEAI KWAC KRCIM KWCI KFIU KWIC KCORR KOMS KNNO KPAI KBWG KTTB KTBD KTIALG KILS KFEM KTDM KESS KNUC KPA KOMCCO KCEM KRCS KWBGSY KNPPIS KNNPMNUC KWN KERG KLTN KALM KCCP KSUMPHUM KREL KGH KLIP KTLA KAWK KWMM KVRP KVRC KAID KSLG KDEMK KX KIF KNPR KCFC KFTFN KTFM KPDD KCERS KMOC KDEMAF KMEPI KEMS KDRM KEPREL KBTR KEDU KNP KIRL KNNR KMPT KISLPINR KTPN KA KJUSTH KPIN KDEV KTDD KAKA KFRP KWNM KTSD KINL KJUSKUNR KWWMN KECF KWBC KPRO KVBL KOM KFRDKIRFCVISCMGTKOCIASECPHUMSMIGEG KEDM KFLD KLPM KRGY KNNF KICR KIFR KM KWMNCS KAWS KLAP KPAK KDDG KCGC KID KNSD KMPF KPFO KDP KCMR KRMS KNPT KNNNP KTIAPARM KDTB KNUP KPGOV KNAP KNNC KUK KSRE KREISLER KIVP KQ KTIAEUN KPALAOIS KRM KISLAO KWM KFLOA
PHUM PINR PTER PGOV PREL PREF PL PM PHSA PE PARM PINS PK PUNE PO PALESTINIAN PU PBTS PROP PTBS POL POLI PA PGOVZI POLMIL POLITICAL PARTIES POLM PD POLITICS POLICY PAS PMIL PINT PNAT PV PKO PPOL PERSONS PING PBIO PH PETR PARMS PRES PCON PETERS PRELBR PT PLAB PP PAK PDEM PKPA PSOCI PF PLO PTERM PJUS PSOE PELOSI PROPERTY PGOVPREL PARP PRL PNIR PHUMKPAL PG PREZ PGIC PBOV PAO PKK PROV PHSAK PHUMPREL PROTECTION PGOVBL PSI PRELPK PGOVENRG PUM PRELKPKO PATTY PSOC PRIVATIZATION PRELSP PGOVEAIDUKNOSWGMHUCANLLHFRSPITNZ PMIG PREC PAIGH PROG PSHA PARK PETER POG PHUS PPREL PS PTERPREL PRELPGOV POV PKPO PGOVECON POUS PGOVPRELPHUMPREFSMIGELABEAIDKCRMKWMN PWBG PMAR PREM PAR PNR PRELPGOVEAIDECONEINVBEXPSCULOIIPBTIO PARMIR PGOVGM PHUH PARTM PN PRE PTE PY POLUN PPEL PDOV PGOVSOCI PIRF PGOVPM PBST PRELEVU PGOR PBTSRU PRM PRELKPAOIZ PGVO PERL PGOC PAGR PMIN PHUMR PVIP PPD PGV PRAM PINL PKPAL PTERE PGOF PINO PHAS PODC PRHUM PHUMA PREO PPA PEPFAR PGO PRGOV PAC PRESL PORG PKFK PEPR PRELP PREFA PNG PGOVPHUMKPAO PRELECON PINOCHET PFOR PGOVLO PHUMBA PRELC PREK PHUME PHJM POLINT PGOVPZ PGOVKCRM PGOVE PHALANAGE PARTY PECON PEACE PROCESS PLN PRELSW PAHO PEDRO PRELA PASS PPAO PGPV PNUM PCUL PGGV PSA PGOVSMIGKCRMKWMNPHUMCVISKFRDCA PGIV PRFE POGOV PEL PBT PAMQ PINF PSEPC POSTS PHUMPGOV PVOV PHSAPREL PROLIFERATION PENA PRELTBIOBA PIN PRELL PGOVPTER PHAM PHYTRP PTEL PTERPGOV PHARM PROTESTS PRELAF PKBL PRELKPAO PKNP PARMP PHUML PFOV PERM PUOS PRELGOV PHUMPTER PARAGRAPH PERURENA PBTSEWWT PCI PETROL PINSO PINSCE PQL PEREZ PBS

Browse by classification

Community resources

courage is contagious

Viewing cable 08STATE117469, DOL HOSTS SIXTH U.S.-VIETNAM LABOR DIALOGUE

If you are new to these pages, please read an introduction on the structure of a cable as well as how to discuss them with others. See also the FAQs

Understanding cables
Every cable message consists of three parts:
  • The top box shows each cables unique reference number, when and by whom it originally was sent, and what its initial classification was.
  • The middle box contains the header information that is associated with the cable. It includes information about the receiver(s) as well as a general subject.
  • The bottom box presents the body of the cable. The opening can contain a more specific subject, references to other cables (browse by origin to find them) or additional comment. This is followed by the main contents of the cable: a summary, a collection of specific topics and a comment section.
To understand the justification used for the classification of each cable, please use this WikiSource article as reference.

Discussing cables
If you find meaningful or important information in a cable, please link directly to its unique reference number. Linking to a specific paragraph in the body of a cable is also possible by copying the appropriate link (to be found at theparagraph symbol). Please mark messages for social networking services like Twitter with the hash tags #cablegate and a hash containing the reference ID e.g. #08STATE117469.
Reference ID Created Released Classification Origin
08STATE117469 2008-11-04 20:33 2011-08-25 00:00 UNCLASSIFIED//FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY Secretary of State
VZCZCXRO3052
PP RUEHCHI RUEHCN RUEHDT RUEHHM
DE RUEHC #7469/01 3092044
ZNR UUUUU ZZH
P 042033Z NOV 08
FM SECSTATE WASHDC
TO RUEHHI/AMEMBASSY HANOI PRIORITY 7948
INFO ASSOCIATION OF SOUTHEAST ASIAN NATIONS COLLECTIVE PRIORITY
RUEHHM/AMCONSUL HO CHI MINH CITY PRIORITY 2844
UNCLAS SECTION 01 OF 02 STATE 117469 
 
SENSITIVE 
SIPDIS 
 
E.O. 12958: N/A 
TAGS: ELAB EAID ECON ETRD EINV WTRO VM
SUBJECT: DOL HOSTS SIXTH U.S.-VIETNAM LABOR DIALOGUE 
 
1. (SBU) SUMMARY:  Deputy Under Secretary of Labor for 
International Affairs (DUS) Charlotte Ponticelli hosted the 
sixth annual labor dialogue with Vietnam's Ministry of Labor, 
Invalids and Social Affairs (MOLISA) on October 17, 2008, in 
Washington.  MOLISA Vice Minister Nguyen Thanh Hoa led the 
Vietnamese side.  Discussion focused on topics key to freedom 
of association and the right to collective bargaining, 
revision of the Vietnamese labor code, and possibilities for 
cooperation on occupational health and safety and social 
insurance.  Vice Minister Hoa was vague in response to DOL 
concerns over Vietnam's limits on freedom of association and 
the rights to collective bargaining.  Hoa emphasized that 
Vietnam's Labor Code is still under revision and that the 
Ministry of Internal Affairs is responsible for crafting the 
legal framework for freedom of association.  END SUMMARY. 
 
FREEDOM OF ASSOCIATION AND COLLECTIVE BARGAINING 
--------------------------------------------- --- 
 
2. (U) Deputy Under Secretary of Labor for International 
Affairs Charlotte Ponticelli hosted the sixth annual labor 
dialogue with Vietnam's MOLISA on October 17, 2008, in 
Washington.  MOLISA Vice Minister Nguyen Thanh Hoa led the 
Vietnamese side.  DUS Ponticelli opened the dialogue by 
praising the August 2008 signing of a four year extension of 
the Letter of Understanding (LOU) between DOL and MOLISA to 
continue the labor dialogue process.  She emphasized the U.S. 
interest at this dialogue round to learn the extent of 
Vietnam's freedom of association and independence of its 
labor unions.  (Note:  While neither side discussed Vietnam's 
Generalized System of Preferences (GSP) application, both 
delegations were fully aware of the significance of labor 
issues in that process.  End Note.) 
 
3. (SBU) Vice Minister Hoa explained that Vietnam's efforts 
to reform its labor code aim at ensuring a market-oriented 
approach while complying with international labor standards. 
 He also noted the GVN's interest in addressing worker rights 
including freedom of association, collective bargaining, and 
other issues related to workplace safety and social safety 
net programs.  So far, Vietnam has ratified 17 ILO 
Conventions, including five of the eight Core Conventions. 
He highlighted the government's June 2008 ratification of 
Convention 144, which creates a system for tripartite 
consultation. 
 
4. (SBU) Under the current Vietnamese system, said Hoa, 
MOLISA consults with workers and employees on policy and 
legal issues.  MOLISA is working to improve legal compliance, 
increase inspections, and ensure that domestic law is 
compatible with international labor law.  All MOLISA legal 
documents are now posted on the Ministry website for 60 days 
for review, he added. 
 
5. (SBU) On revision of Vietnam's labor code, Hoa explained 
that the drafting committee includes government, worker, and 
employer representatives, with the Vietnam General 
Confederation of Labor (VGCL) serving as the voice of 
workers.  Workers and employers are consulted at all levels, 
including through special one day sessions between the Prime 
Minister and VGCL, and MOLISA and VGCL.  NGOs are not on the 
drafting committee, Hoa acknowledged, but he noted that draft 
laws are posted on the MOLISA website for 60 days before 
being forwarded to the National Assembly. 
 
6. (SBU) DUS Ponticelli pressed on whether the Vietnamese 
government would accept unions not linked to VGCL.  Hoa 
replied that Workers can establish trade unions at the local, 
provincial and central levels, said Hoa, but all are under 
the VGCL umbrella.  Union representatives are elected at all 
levels.  Hoa also noted that the Vietnamese Union of Postal 
Workers now has an international affiliation.  He 
acknowledged that the Ministry of Internal Affairs was in 
charge of drafting Vietnam's new freedom of association law, 
as the law would cover all associations -- not just those 
related to industrial relations.  He could not provide 
details of the draft law or the status of the draft. 
 
CAPACITY BUILDING, HR DEVELOPMENT 
--------------------------------- 
 
7. (SBU) Vietnam's system allows for effective consultations 
with workers and employers, said Hoa, but suffers from a lack 
of capacity and a shortage of labor inspectors. 
Specifically, he said, trade unions are inexperienced in 
negotiating collective bargaining agreements, and sanctions 
 
STATE 00117469  002 OF 002 
 
 
for violations are insufficient. 
 
8.  (SBU) In reply to DUS Ponticelli's question about 
MOLISA's plans for developing a workforce for the 21st 
century, Hoa emphasized that the GVN sees human resource 
development as the key.   The government is implementing a 
program of large-scale vocational training, with the initial 
goal of training or re-training 40-50% of the workforce by 
2010.  The GVN is seeking to direct greater resources to 
improvements in education and training at the central, 
provincial, and local levels, said Hoa.  The percentage of 
GDP dedicated to education and training is expected to rise 
from 6.7% in 2008 to 10% in 2009.  Private sector resources 
are also being mobilized for projects such as establishing 
vocational training centers near industrial zones.  The GVN 
is backing the creation of these training centers by 
providing land, tax incentives and soft loans for investors 
and educational credits for trainees. 
 
9.  (SBU) Hoa added that migrant workers are entitled to 
union membership, but that enforcement of this is inadequate. 
 He said the Ministry of Foreign Affairs has decreed that 
Vietnamese embassies must have a Labor Division and be 
prepared to protect Vietnamese workers overseas.  Also, since 
2006 laws permit sanctions of recruitment agencies with 
illegal practices, but enforcement is a problem. 
 
OCCUPATIONAL SAFETY AND HEALTH, SOCIAL INSURANCE 
--------------------------------------------- --- 
 
10.  (SBU) At MOLISA's request, DOL gave a briefing on the 
USG approach to promoting occupational safety and health. 
The presentation emphasized the importance of record keeping, 
inspections, enforcement and compliance, and the different 
responsibilities of federal and state governments.  MOLISA 
questions focused on what were the most dangerous industries 
in the U.S., and how OSHA offices are organized at the 
regional level.  Vice Minister Hoa stated that Vietnam has 
only 300 labor inspectors for approximately 300,000 
enterprises. Hoa said that the National Assembly had passed 
legislation in 2006 on unemployment insurance which becomes 
effective January 2009, and on voluntary social insurance 
which became effective in January 2008.  MOLISA is interested 
in how the U.S. enforces employer contributions, said Hoa, 
and would welcome any information on best practices in this 
area. 
 
THE WAY FORWARD 
---------------------- 
 
11. (SBU) In closing, DUS Ponticelli and Vice-Minister Hoa 
agreed that progress on labor issues was a step by step 
process, but it was vital to continue moving ahead. 
Atmospherics had been cordial and friendly throughout. DOL 
and MOLISA identified three primary areas for future 
cooperation: labor code reform, occupational safety and 
health (OSHA), and social insurance.  Cooperation on labor 
code reform might include, as requested by the MOLISA 
delegation: (1) A U.S. study tour by the Labor Code Drafting 
Committee to the U.S.; (2) A joint workshop by U.S. 
industrial relations experts; and (3) DOL provision of 
written materials on labor code revision to Vietnam.  On OSHA 
and Social Insurance, DOL offered assistance to include: (1) 
support in developing database and record keeping; (2) 
technical exchange and cooperation in establishing and 
managing a worker's compensation fund; (3) capacity training 
for officers and inspectors; and (4) exchange of written 
materials on best practices.  DUS Ponticelli noted the l 
lack of funding for DOL to conduct technical cooperation 
activities but said that both sides should look at innovative 
ways to conduct exchanges of information, experts and 
relevant officials, which can be carried out with little or 
no additional expenses. 
 
12. (SBU) DUS Ponticelli and Vice Minister Hoa agreed that 
the seventh labor dialogue will take place in Vietnam in 
October 2009 at a date and site to be determined.  They also 
agreed to a progress review of the ongoing bilateral 
relationship in six months by DVC or in person, either in the 
U.S. or Vietnam. 
 
13. (U) DUS Ponticelli cleared this cable. 
RICE