Benefits of dialogues in workplaces were highlighted in Vietnam

 

 

 

In cooperation with partners SWP enabled interaction between different industry sectors and the union in Vietnam to address the importance of dialogue in the workplace. The seminars highlighted benefits for sustainable business, crisis management as well as good working conditions.

How social dialogue in the workplace contributes to better working conditions and sustainable business was the focus when SWP, the Vietnamese Chamber of Commerce and Industry, VCCI and the Swedish Embassy in Vietnam hosted a seminar in Hanoi.

The Swedish Minister of Foreign Affairs, Ann Linde, emphasized in her keynote speech that:

Social dialogue in the workplace is not only a means to an end but also an end in itself. It stresses the value of the individual worker, while at the same time creating business and societal economic growth and prosperity.

The over 100 participants representing businesses and workers, government agencies and civil society agreed to this fact and SWP, IKEA, H&M and a supplier to H&M, the Vietnamese company Crystal Martin gave examples on how social dialogue can be conducted at the workplace in benefit of all parties.

 

SWP, the Vietnamese Chamber of Commerce and Industry, VCCI and the Swedish Embassy in Vietnam hosted a seminar in Hanoi.

Workplace cooperation for better crisis management

SWP and the Vietnam General Confederation of Labour (VGCL) gathered representatives from the National Industrial Unions for a seminar about how social dialogue and workplace cooperation can contribute to better crisis management in times of COVID-19.

 “We had good discussions. The participants expressed that they really appreciated the setting and interaction between different industry sectors” says, Nguyen Thu Hien coordinator for SWP in Vietnam.

Currently COVID-19 has halted a period of rapid income and wage growth for workers and households in Vietnam according to the World Bank. The country is slowly getting back to normal from the lockdowns that affected employment, incomes, with closed factories, sometimes having staff living on site for months to maintain the production.

In the seminar SWP introduced how workplace cooperation can be a long-term strategy contributing to the resilience of both companies and employees. This was the first of a series of knowledge seminars in 2022 together with the Vietnamese union on transition and workplace cooperation to develop decent work.

SWP and the Vietnam General Confederation of Labour (VGCL) gathered representatives from the National Industrial Unions for a seminar.

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EXECUTIVE SUMMARY

This executive summary presents the findings from the study “Workplace Cooperation: Finding Practical Solutions in the Colombian Context,” conducted by the Fundación Ideas para la Paz (FIP). The study evaluates the added value of the Swedish Workplace Programme (SWP) dialogue and cooperation model within the Colombian labor market.

Throughout 2022, FIP dedicated efforts to thoroughly understand the SWP model, including its concept, foundations, implementation process, and contributions to the labor market. In 2023, FIP documented the experiences of three companies—SKF Latin Trade, Securitas, and Epiroc—that implemented the SWP model in practice. The study also included face-to-face workshops to gather feedback from various stakeholders including civil society, businesses, government, academia, and international cooperation. The findings suggest that the SWP model has the potential to strengthen labor relations, contribute to decent work, and resolve workplace conflicts in Colombia.

The case studies highlight the importance of collaboration between employers and workers to promote decent work and sustainable development in Colombia. They demonstrate that social dialogue facilitates worker participation in labor decision-making, enhances their representativeness, and promotes cooperation between employers and employees, thus improving labor relations and contributing to the well-being of both employees and companies.

The SWP model is particularly noted for improving workplace relationships and commitment to jointly finding solutions to challenges faced by workers and the company. It empowers workers, enhances leadership, and helps integrate business policies into daily practices, reducing the initial disconnect between management objectives and the day-to-day realities of workers. The study also highlights the model’s capacity to manage conflicts constructively, transforming the perception of conflict as an opportunity for improvement. Structured dialogues deepen understanding of the underlying causes of conflicts, fostering empathy and facilitating effective resolution. This promotes a culture of collaboration and a democratic approach to decision-making, building trust.

Additionally, the model is recognized for enabling workers to make decisions, identify challenges, and propose solutions that impact their well-being, and bridging gender gaps in the workplace. Its inclusive approach adapts to the unique needs and characteristics of each company, promoting a stronger and more diverse organizational culture. It also drives good work performance and productivity by involving workers in problem identification and resolution, as well as in implementing improvements and efficiently identifying ESG (Environmental, Social, and Governance) risks for companies.

The document identifies the SWP model’s added value in empowering direct interaction among labor stakeholders in Colombia, overcoming historical or cultural reservations, and contributing to the development of stronger labor relations and improved workplace environments in the country.

Challenges and opportunities of the model are also discussed. The study points out the importance of addressing value chain risks, particularly in a global context where corporate clients demand decent work processes and due diligence. It emphasizes the need to integrate SMEs into this process and use anchor companies as drivers of social dialogue throughout the value chain. The role of the state in social dialogue and the importance of highlighting the benefits of the model for adoption across various business sectors are discussed.

The opportunities of the model include raising awareness of human rights in the workplace in line with the United Nations Guiding Principles (UNGP), to strengthen due diligence, manage risks, promote long-term sustainability, and improve organizational culture. The document also underscores the importance of involving workers in change processes, leveraging their insights for continuous improvement of processes, and fostering innovation opportunities. Lastly, it suggests replicating the model in value chains to address work environment risks and gender biases, involving suppliers and contractors, and integrating the model into corporate policies to strengthen existing programs and transform organizational culture towards resource efficiency and effective participation of employers and workers.