THE ELIMINATION OF FORCED OR COMPULSORY LABOUR IN VIETNAM WITHIN THE CONTEXT OF THE EVFTA AND LESSONS FROM EUROPEAN COUNTRIES
THE ELIMINATION OF FORCED OR COMPULSORY LABOUR IN VIETNAM WITHIN THE CONTEXT OF THE EVFTA AND LESSONS FROM EUROPEAN COUNTRIES

Summary/Abstract: Following centuries of attempts to improve labour standards and fight for the elimination of forced or compulsory labour, the problem remains severe on a worldwide scale. No country or continent in the world can abolish this phenomenon in all of its forms, concomitantly, not only does it affect developed and high-income countries, but it also has an enormous impact on developing ones like Vietnam. In order to preserve a level playing field, protect fair competition, avoid divergence on social and environmental standards, and provide each party with the ability to apply its social norms, this issue must be addressed. Eliminating forced or compulsory labour, therefore, is a remarkable goal that the European Union (EU) aims to achieve in its free trade agreements (FTAs), including the EU-Vietnam free trade agreement (EVFTA). Accordingly, the EU also demanded that Vietnam abide by the prohibition on forced or compulsory labour in EVFTA’s labour commitments. In light of the need to uphold obligations as a member and the potential market with the EU in the future, the study of eradicating forced or compulsory labour in Vietnam is crucial to both the EU and Vietnam's pursuit of sustainable development. This study focuses on evaluating legislation for eliminating Vietnam’s forced or compulsory labour, indicating the compatibility between the EVFTA’s labour commitments and the national legal system, and looking at the other EU countries’ experiences with this problem; from that, it provides recommendations on completing Vietnamese legislation.

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