Labour Commitments in the EVFTA: Amendments and Supplements to Vietnamese Law and Recommendations

Abstract

Following months of negotiations, Vietnam and the European Union (EU) signed the EU-Vietnam free trade agreement (EVFTA) on June 30, 2019 (effective from August 1, 2020). Although this agreement opens up enormous opportunities for cooperation with the EU in many trade areas, Vietnam would still ensure compliance with other non-trade provisions, particularly with the labour clauses in this agreement, in accordance with the principle pacta sunt servanda, which is a fundamental principle of international law. By using a synthesis research method, comprehensive assessment, and in-depth comparison with documents of the International Labour Organization (ILO), EVFTA regulations, and Vietnamese legal documents on labour, this study aims to review the amendments and modifications of Vietnam’s labour law to fulfil the commitments in labour in the EVFTA, as well as provide recommendations on how to enhance the Vietnamese labour law to ensure effective implementation of these international labour responsibilities.

Keywords: EVFTA, EU, labour, commitment.

DOI: 10.7176/JLPG/125-10

Publication date:October 31^st 2022