ABSTRACT
This chapter identifies the major challenges and opportunities for trade unions in China and Vietnam under their special political, social and economic systems in the transition period towards the twenty-first century in an era of globalization. It reviews the issue of 'globalization' and illustrates the function of the trade unions in both countries, such as representing workers and protecting workers' interests in different enterprises with different ownership systems. The chapter examines the new legal framework of industrial relations in relation to the challenges of the market-driven economy and labour market developments. It also examines the ongoing problems and dilemmas associated with the changes to the system of labour regulation and trade unions. The chapter also identifies the major issues concerned by the trade unions in relation to globalization and the possible direction for the development of the trade unions in China and Vietnam.
