An agreement on Corporate Social Responsibility was signed between the Embassy of Denmark and the Ministry of Labour, Invalids and Social Affairs on 8 August 2011.
On 8 August 2011, Vice Minister of Labour, Invalids and Social Affairs Nguyen Trong Dam signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with Ambassador of Denmark John Nielsen on the implementation of the Danish assistance to the Vietnamese National Programme on Occupational Safety and Health (OSH)-Period 2011-2015. With the aim to improve labour conditions in Vietnamese enterprises and create decent jobs, this is one of the biggest Danish supports to Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) in Vietnam. The funding amount will be approximately USD 10 million for a period of 3 years from 2011 to 2013.
Speaking at the signing ceremony, Ambassador John Nielsen said: ‘We would like to see companies focusing even more on Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR). Worldwide, CSR is increasingly considered a comparative advantage for many companies, especially in retaining workers. Many Danish companies believe that if working environments for employees are improved and workers’ rights are being considered, the likelihood of increasing productivity and performance is high. Therefore, improving the working conditions for employees, promoting gender equality and creating friendlier environment is becoming an asset in competitive markets such as Vietnam’.
Vice Minister Nguyen Trong Dam said: ‘The Danish support to the National Programme on OSH in the next 3 years is a significant support which will help improve working condition in Vietnamese enterprises and reduce occupational accidents in Vietnam’.
The signing of the MOU marked an important step forward since it provides crucial principles and mechanisms for an effective implementation of the Danish support to the National Programme on Occupational Safety and Health 2011-2015. The support has been largely built upon successful outcome of the cooperation between the Embassy of Denmark and MOLISA in the area of labour inspection during 2005-2010 under the Business Sector Programme Support.
