The 15th National Assembly (NA) approved the revised Trade Union Law with 443 delegates present at its ongoing 8th sitting on November 27 morning voting in favour, equivalent to 92.48% of the total deputies of the legislature.
The new law, taking effect from July 1, 2025, comprises six chapters and 37 articles, outlining the functions, duties, rights, and responsibilities of the Vietnamese trade unions.
Key provisions of the law include workers’ rights to establish and engage in trade union activities, the rights and responsibilities of trade union members, the responsibilities of the State, organisations, enterprises and employers towards trade unions, and settlement of potential disputes.
Central to the revised law is the clear delineation of membership criteria, particularly for foreign workers. While foreigners can join local trade unions, they are not allowed to hold leadership positions.
Presenting a verification report of the NA Standing Committee, Chairwoman of the NA Committee for Social Affairs Nguyen Thuy Anh emphasised that as trade union is a broad political – social organisation representing workers and labourers and operating under the Party leadership, the law seeks to ensure the establishment of, participation in, and operation of the trade union must ensure harmoniousness with the existing legal system while encouraging workers and enterprises’ engagement and meeting the demand of the international integration and ongoing economic development.
The Vietnam General Confederation of Labour will be responsible for providing detailed guidelines for the implementation of the law.
Besides, the new law maintains the rate of trade union fees at 2% of the salary together with introducing regulations on managing and utilising trade union finance.
