U.S. - Vietnam Labor Dialogue

The Bureau of International Labor Affairs (ILAB) represents the U.S. government within APEC’s Human Resources Development Working Group (HRDWG).  Vietnam will host APEC in 2017.  For more information on ILAB’s role in the HRDWG, see our APEC webpage.   

November 15, 2016: The 2016 U.S.-Vietnam Labor Dialogue – Hanoi, Vietnam

A delegation from the U.S. Department of Labor traveled to Hanoi, Vietnam to participate in the 2016 Labor Dialogue on November 15.  Dialogue participants discussed Vietnam’s progress in advancing legislative reform and developments related to DOL-funded technical assistance addressing occupational safety and health, child labor, and industrial relations in Vietnam.  The country delegations also discussed Department of Labor reporting on child labor in Vietnam, as well as future direct engagement on issues including promoting women’s workforce participation and the employment of persons with disabilities. 

June 9, 2015: The 2015 U.S.-Vietnam Labor Dialogue – Geneva, Switzerland

The 2015 Labor Dialogue took place on the margins of the International Labor Conference. Mark Mittelhauser, Associate Deputy Undersecretary of Labor for International Affairs and Vice Minister Nguyen Thanh Hoa led the DOL and MOLISA delegations.  The 2015 Dialogue marked the 15^th anniversary of labor cooperation between DOL and MOLISA and both delegation heads noted the achievements as a result of the cooperation.  They also discussed Vietnam’s possible ratification of ILO Conventions 87 and 98 on Freedom of Association and Collective Bargaining. Vietnam’s new Occupational Safety and Health (OSH) law, and Vietnam’s selection as a pilot country for the ILO Safe and Healthy Youth Global OSH project. 

December 5, 2014: The 2014 U.S. – Vietnam Labor Dialogue — Hanoi, Vietnam

The U.S. – Vietnam Labor Dialogue took place on December 5, 2014 in Hanoi, Vietnam. Mark Mittelhauser, Associate Deputy Undersecretary of Labor for International Affairs, led the Department of Labor (DOL) delegation. MOLISA’s Deputy Minister Doan Mau Diep, head of the Vietnamese delegation, began the Dialogue by announcing approval by the Prime Minister of a DOL-funded $8 million project to prevent and reduce child labor in Vietnam. The Dialogue participants discussed Vietnam’s implementation of labor law reforms, the progress of two DOL-funded projects in Vietnam, and the development of the technical assistance project on child labor. The delegations also explored future technical cooperation on occupational safety and health and the employment of persons with disabilities.

December 4, 2013: The 2013 U.S. - Vietnam Labor Dialogue — Washington, DC

On December 4, 2013, the Dialogue convened in Washington, D.C. and foucsed on efforts to implement Vietnam's recent labor law reforms, progress on Labor Department-funded projects in Vietnam, Vietnam's efforts to address child labor, and future bilateral collaboration, including a potential technical assistance project to address child labor issues.  Associate Deputy Undersecretary for International Affairs Mark Mittelhauser opened this year's dialogue and welcomed Vice Minister Doan Mau Diep, who led the Vietnamese delegation. "This continues to be a constructive forum for us to exchange views on often sensitive issues, develop programs, and work together to promote good jobs and ensure dignity at work in our countries," Mittelhauser told the assembly.