Better Work - Vietnam
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Better Work is a comprehensive program that brings together all levels of the apparel industry to improve working conditions and respect of labor rights for workers, while boosting the competitiveness of apparel businesses. As a result of their participation with Better Work, export apparel factories in Vietnam have improved compliance with labor law including issues of compensation, contracts, occupational safety and health and working time. By enhancing working conditions, Better Work Vietnam increases the factories’ productivity and profitability.
The Problem
Vietnam’s textile and apparel industry accounts for about 15 percent of the country’s total exports, reaching almost $ 39 billion (2019). The sector employs approximately 2.8 million people, approximately 80% of whom are women, and it supports millions of others through remittances sent to workers’ families around the country.
Our Strategy
Better Work Vietnam combines labor monitoring and training to apparel factories. By monitoring export apparel factories' compliance with international labor standards, Better Work informs major brands and buyers of labor conditions in each factory. Brands want to work with factories that will protect their reputation, so the program becomes a “race to the top” for increasing conditions, productivity and provide good jobs. The program also educates workers and managers on labor rights and responsibilities, and provides a space for factory level dialogue between management and workers. The main project objective is to increase gender equality in factories. The project aims to achieve this objective by increasing the number of women who are in leadership positions or capable of serving in leadership positions; and creating more enabling environment in the garment industry for women’s full participation and advancement in the workplace.
Results
Since the launch in July 2009, the Better Work Vietnam (BWV) program has provided integrated assessment, advisory and training services in a large apparel export market. By the end of 2020, BWV works in more than 368 factories, reaching 616,593 workers. Better Work Vietnam is committed to promoting gender equality and women's economic empowerment in the garment industry and is currently implementing its Gender Strategy for the period 2018-2022, which will demonstrate its priorities and actions to promote gender equality and fair and inclusive workplaces for women and men in the garment sector. In 2018, BWV worked with the national tripartite actors, the Ministry of Labor, War Invalids, and Social Affairs (MOLISA), the Vietnam Chamber of Commerce and Industry (VCCI) and the Vietnamese General Confederation of Labor (VGCL) and provided Training on Convention 111 concerning Discrimination in Respect of Employment and Occupation or Discrimination. In Sep 2020, the first batch of GEAR training was implemented for more than 30 female workers from 6 factories in the North of Vietnam. GEAR is a program that trains women working in garment factories to progress to higher-level roles, while contributing to increased line-level productivity. Female operators acquire the soft and technical skills necessary to take on supervisory roles, and factory managers receive coaching on how to identify, train and retain female talent.
View the Cluster evaluation conducted by ILO.
- Grantee:
- International Labor Organization (ILO)
- Implementing Partners:
- International Finance Corporation (IFC)
- Contact Information:
- (202) 693-4900 / Office of Trade and Labor Affairs (OTLA)
- Tags:
- Trade
- Factory
- Private Sector Engagement
