Deputy Chairman of the National Assembly's Social Affairs CommitteeBui Si Loi spoke with Thoi bao Kinh te Viet Nam (Vietnam Economic Times)about safeguarding migrant labourers' rights.

*The topics ofmigrant labourers' rights and their lives in industrial parks have beendiscussed a lot. Do these issues continue to be a concern?

Inthe context of economic difficulties, the turnover from industrialprocessing and economic parks has contributed an important part to thecountry's GDP. The country currently has over 200 operating industrialparks with more than 2 million labourers. Migrant labourers haveaccounted for 80- 90 percent of the labourers at indutrial parks,especially at big ones. So, many pressing and regular issues relating tothe migrant's rights and their lives require our attention.

Surveyand research results have shown that the most pressing issues are laweducation for migrants including the Labour Code, social insurance andlabour union laws.

The other issues are jobs, housing,kindergarten schools for migrants' children or residence registrationfor labourers. The children of migrant workers have been facingdifficulties in registering for schools because they have not holdpermanent resident status. Last but not least are issues relating tospiritual life, eradication of social evils and security in industrialparks.

*What are the measures that can strengthen law enforcement of migrant rights?

Forme, three measure groups should be put forward for the protection ofmigrant labourers in industrial and processing parks. I absolutelyemphasise that labourers must be the ones to decide their lives bythemselves.

About measure groups, it is necessary to payattention to the labour unions. The labour union's position was veryimportant in the revised Labour Code. The union was the mainstay ofsupport and protected the legal benefits of the labourer. For example,the labour union would organise meetings between the employer andlabourers. The union should ensure that all workers have labourcontracts or agreements that follow the Labour Code. In labour disputes,the union would be the representative of the labourers or set upconfrontations or go on strike.

The measures relating to localauthorities' responsibilities are residence registration management andsocial policies to support labourers in housing and infrastructure.

Theother measures are inspections and handling violations. We asked theMinistry of Labour, Invalids and Social Affairs' inspection authority totake part in and handle violations relating to labourers' benefits.

*How should measures be implemented for protecting the labourers' rights?

Comprehensivemeasures should be implemented to ensure income and related socialpolicies for the labourers, such as social and health insurance. Thecare of labourers and protection of their rights are the responsibilityof the Vietnam General Confederation of Labour.

Social andlow-income housing programmes have been proposed to the Government toresolve the issue of housing for workers. Measures are also needed totackle the issues of kindergarten schools and learning for workers'children because if we do not pay enough attention to education, theycould be caught in a vicious circle of poverty forever.

Theresidence law has been revised with an aim to tackle problems relatingto residence registration for those living in industrial parks,including migrant labourers. The current laws and regulations have poseddifficulties for migrant workers and their children in matters ofliving, learning and health care services.

Currently, some modelsinvolving information kiosks, groups of workers in residence areas,self-management by workers in enterprises or mobile legal consultinghave shown effectiveness in supporting and protecting migrant workers.These measures should be implemented throughout the country.-VNA