ABSTRACT
Historical, sociocultural, ideological and political factors have shaped Vietnam’s formal industrial relations system. This had led to the development of a state-centred structure in which the official trade union has a high level of formal status but little real influence in an economy whose primary employer is the state. Since the late 1980s, Vietnam has experienced a gradual shift towards a market economy through its policy of economic reform (doi moi). Although there is evidence of escalating tensions and conflict between workers and managers, the Communist government has continued to maintain a direct and dominant influence on the trade union organisation. This raises questions about the legitimacy of institutional and governmental control over trade unions. Fundamental questions for Vietnam’s trade union movement are first: what have been the key changes in the role of trade union and worker’s representatives during the period of economic reform? And, second: what changes have occurred in relationships between state and the union movement? These questions guide our examination of core challenges confronting unions in Vietnam and strategic actions being taken by the unions in response to these challenges. This chapter draws on evidence from recent empirical studies of Vietnam industrial relations, including primary data analysis of a series of in-depth interviews with stakeholders.
