Representatives of the signatories show the joint statement at the signing ceremony on June 22 (Photo: VNA)Hanoi (VNA) – A joint statement on a cooperationinitiative to address COVID-19 impacts on workers and businesses of thetextile-garment and leather- footwear-handbag industries in Vietnam was signedin Hanoi on June 22.
The signatories consist of the Vietnam GeneralConfederation of Labour (VGCL), the Vietnam Chamber of Commerce and Industry(VCCI), the Vietnam Textile and Apparel Association (VITAS), the VietnamLeather, Footwear and Handbag Association (LEFASO), and the National Federationof Christian Trade Unions in the Netherlands (CNV).
Via this document, they call for the building ofan agenda and a roadmap which involve social partners wishing to join hands toovercome crises and develop sustainable and prosperous industries.Particularly, they recommend investing in strategic partnerships and promotingsocial dialogue that suits the context in Vietnam and international labourstandards.
VGCL Vice President Ngo Duy Hieu said amid theCOVID-19 pandemic that is still raging around the world, the VGCL and relevantparties call on the governments of Vietnam and EU member countries, along withEU partners and brands, to provide timely support for workers and businessesaffected by this outbreak by minimising administrative procedures and assistingthe sectors to become creative industries applying sustainable andenvironmentally friendly production methods.
According to him, the COVID-19 pandemic has influencedemployment in the textile-garment and leather- footwear-handbag industries.More than 1 million of the 4.3 million employees in these sectors have becomejobless while the rest have worked at only 50-60 percent of capacity, and thustheir income has also decreased by 40 percent. Meanwhile, more than 75 percentof workers in the two industries are women who form a more vulnerable group insociety.
Although businesses and trade unions havestrived to sustain jobs and income for employees, job losses and incomereduction among 4.3 million workers have still affected nearly 3 millionfamilies, he noted.
Hieu added it’s now time to promote thedevelopment of the textile-garment and leather-footwear-handbag industries bycapitalising on trade agreements, thereby boosting training for and job seekingcapacity of workers. Enhancing the sense of responsibility of brands in supplychains will also help maintain jobs and livelihoods for workers.
In 2020, the export turnover of thetextile-garment industry is forecast to drop by 8.5 billion USD while that of theleather-footwear-handbag sector may fall 5.5 billion USD. Due to COVID-19impacts, shipments to the EU alone by both industries are projected to decreaseby nearly 5 billion USD this year./.
VNA
