Vietnam Takes Steps to Ensure Worker Protection

Vietnam had undertaken a remarkable five-year program to ensure the health and safety of its workers. Social Affairs Ministry figures show that Vietnam averages 4,633 work-place accidents each year. Of these, 468 are fatal and the cost of the accidents is about $15 million US dollars. Figures provided by the ministry’s Department for Work Safety show employer participation in Occupational Safety and Health, or OSH, training increased from 6.52 per cent in 2004 to 58.7 last year. Employee participation rose from 30.93 per cent in 2004 to 74.23 per cent in 2007. Electric installation is considered one of the country’s riskiest jobs and sometimes leads to fatalities.