Ngo Duy Hieu, vice president of the Vietnam General Confederation of Labor, speaks at a conference on supplements and amendments to the laws on labor unions on July 3 in Hanoi - PHOTO: LDO

The request is also aimed at adjusting Vietnamese laws on labor unions to set them in line with those of other countries and the recommendations of the International Labor Organization, he said at a conference on supplements and amendments to the laws on labor unions on July 3 in Hanoi, the local media reported.

According to draft supplements and amendments to these laws, foreign employees working at companies founded and operated in Vietnam that already have grassroots labor unions and work permits granted by authorized State agencies can join local labor unions if their labor contracts are valid for at least six months.

However, they are not allowed to take part in senior labor unions.

Thousands of foreign employees are working in foreign-invested firms or local companies in Vietnam. Conflicts between foreign employees and their employers have been reported at several companies.

In these cases, labor unions should perform their role of tightening ties to protect employees’ rights and interests.

However, the VGCL vice president added that the request remains a complicated, controversial issue.

Accordingly, specific regulations on the right to become a member of a local labor union and take part in their activities will be issued.

In addition, the impact of the proposal will be evaluated to ensure social security and order in the country, he said. SGT