CHAPTER 1 ................................................................................................................................................................... 1General Provisions ......................................................................................................................................................... 1Article 1 Governing scope................................................................................................................................... 1Article 2 Applicable entities ................................................................................................................................ 1Article 3 Interpretation of terms.......................................................................................................................... 1Article 4 State''''s policy on labour ........................................................................................................................ 2Article 5 Rights and obligations of employees .................................................................................................... 3Article 6 Rights and obligations of employers .................................................................................................... 3Article 7 Labour relationship .............................................................................................................................. 4Article 8 Conduct which is strictly prohibited..................................................................................................... 4CHAPTER 2 ................................................................................................................................................................... 5Employment.................................................................................................................................................................... 5Article 9 Employment and finding jobs............................................................................................................ 5Article 10 Right of workers to work .................................................................................................................. 5Article 11 Right of employers to recruit labour ................................................................................................ 5Article 12 State policy on employment .............................................................................................................. 5Article 13 Employment programs ..................................................................................................................... 5Article 14 Employment services organizations ................................................................................................. 6CHAPTER 3 ................................................................................................................................................................... 6Labour Contracts ........................................................................................................................................................... 6Section 1 ....................................................................................................................................................................... 6Signing Labour Contracts ............................................................................................................................................ 6Article 15 Labour contracts .............................................................................................................................. 6Article 16 Forms of labour contract ................................................................................................................. 6Article 17 Principles for signing labour contracts............................................................................................ 6Article 18 Responsibility to sign labour contracts ............................................................................................ 7Article 19 Responsibility to provide information before signing a labour contract.......................................... 7Article 20 Prohibited conduct by an employer when signing and performing a labour contract ..................... 7Article 21 Entering into multiple labour contracts with multiple employers .................................................... 7Article 22 Types of labour contract................................................................................................................... 7Article 23 Contents of labour contracts ............................................................................................................ 8Article 24 Addenda to labour contracts ............................................................................................................ 9Article 25 Effectiveness of a labour contract .................................................................................................... 9Article 26 Probationary period of work ............................................................................................................ 9Article 27 Duration of probationary period ...................................................................................................... 9Article 28 Wage during probationary period .................................................................................................. 10 Article 29 Termination of probationary period............................................................................................... 10Section 2 ..................................................................................................................................................................... 10Performance of Labour Contracts ............................................................................................................................. 10Article 30 Performing work pursuant to a labour contract............................................................................. 10Article 31 Assigning employee to do other work different from the labour contract ...................................... 10Article 32 Cases in which suspension of performance of a labour contract is permitted ............................... 10Article 33 Responsibility to receive the employee back to work on expiry of suspension of performance of labour contract ............................................................................................................................... 11Article 34 Employees working part-time......................................................................................................... 11Section 3 ..................................................................................................................................................................... 11Amending, Supplementing and Terminating Labour Contracts ................................................................................. 11Article 35 Amending and supplementing labour contracts ............................................................................. 11Article 36 Circumstances in which labour contract is terminated .................................................................. 11Article 37 Circumstances in which an employee has the right to unilaterally terminate the labour contract 12Article 38 Circumstances in which an employer has the right to unilaterally terminate the labour contract 13Article 39 Circumstances in which an employer is not permitted to unilaterally terminate a labour contract........................................................................................................................................................ 14Article 40 Rescission of unilateral termination of labour contract ................................................................. 14Article 41 Illegal unilateral termination of labour contract ........................................................................... 14Article 42 Obligations of employer who unilaterally terminates a labour contract illegally ......................... 14Article 43 Obligations of employee who unilaterally terminates a labour contract illegally ......................... 15Article 44 Obligations of employer in cases of restructuring, change of technology, or [changes for]economic reasons ........................................................................................................................... 15Article 45 Obligations of employer upon merger, consolidation, division or separation of an enterprise orco-operative.................................................................................................................................... 15Article 46 Labour usage plan.......................................................................................................................... 15Article 47 Responsibilities of employers who terminate labour contracts ...................................................... 16Article 48 Severance allowance on retrenchment ........................................................................................... 16Article 49 Severance allowance for job loss ................................................................................................... 16Section 4 ..................................................................................................................................................................... 17Invalid Labour Contracts ........................................................................................................................................... 17Article 50 Invalid labour contract................................................................................................................... 17Article 51 Authority to declare a labour contract invalid ............................................................................... 17Article 52 Dealing with invalid labour contracts............................................................................................ 17Section 5 ..................................................................................................................................................................... 18Labour Outsourcing ................................................................................................................................................... 18Article 53 Labour outsourcing [or sub-leasing] ............................................................................................. 18Article 54 Labour outsourcing enterprises ..................................................................................................... 18Article 55 Labour sublease contract ............................................................................................................... 18Article 56 Rights and obligations of labour outsourcing enterprises.............................................................. 19Article 57 Rights and obligations of sub-leasing employers ........................................................................... 19Article 58 Rights and obligations of sub-leased employees ............................................................................ 20CHAPTER 4 ................................................................................................................................................................. 20Apprenticeship, Providing Training, and Fostering Improvement of Job and Professional Skills ...................... 20Article 59 Apprenticeship and providing trade training ................................................................................. 20Article 60 Responsibilities of employers to provide training, to foster and improve job and professional skills........................................................................................................................................................ 20 Article 61 Apprenticeship and practical training in order to work for an employer ...................................... 20Article 62 Trade training contract between employer and employee and training fees.................................. 21CHAPTER 5 ................................................................................................................................................................. 22Discussion at Workplaces, Collective Bargaining, and Collective Labour Agreements ........................................ 22Section 1 ..................................................................................................................................................................... 22Discussion at Workplaces .......................................................................................................................................... 22Article 63 Objectives and form of discussion at workplaces........................................................................... 22Article 64 Contents of discussion at workplaces ............................................................................................. 22Article 65 Conducting discussion at workplace .............................................................................................. 22Section 2 ..................................................................................................................................................................... 23Collective Bargaining ................................................................................................................................................ 23Article 66 Objective of collective bargaining.................................................................................................. 23Article 67 Principles for collective bargaining ............................................................................................... 23Article 68 Right to require collective bargaining............................................................................................ 23Article 69 Representation at collective bargaining......................................................................................... 23Article 70 Matters subject to collective bargaining ........................................................................................ 24Article 71 Collective bargaining process ........................................................................................................ 24Article 72 Responsibilities during collective bargaining of the trade union, of the organization representing the employer, and of the State administrative body for labour....................................................... 25Section 3 ..................................................................................................................................................................... 25Collective Labour Agreement..................................................................................................................................... 25Article 73 Collective labour agreement ........................................................................................................... 25Article 74 Signing a collective labour agreement ........................................................................................... 25Article 75 Sending copies of a collective agreement to State administrative bodies....................................... 26Article 76 Effective date of collective labour agreement ................................................................................ 26Article 77 Amendments and additions to collective labour agreement ........................................................... 26Article 78 Invalid collective labour agreement ............................................................................................... 26Article 79 Authority to declare a collective labour agreement invalid ........................................................... 26Article 80 Dealing with an invalid collective labour agreement..................................................................... 27Article 81 Expiry of collective labour agreement............................................................................................ 27Article 82 Expenses for collective bargaining and for signing collective labour agreement.......................... 27Section 4 ..................................................................................................................................................................... 27Enterprise Collective Labour Agreement ................................................................................................................... 27Article 83 Signing an enterprise collective labour agreement ........................................................................ 27Article 84 Implementation of enterprise collective labour agreement ............................................................ 27Article 85 Duration of enterprise collective labour agreement ...................................................................... 28Article 86 Implementation of collective labour agreement when an enterprise transfers ownership of, right to manage or right to use the enterprise, or merges, consolidates, divides or separates ................... 28Section 5 ..................................................................................................................................................................... 28Industry Collective Labour Agreement ...................................................................................................................... 28Article 87 Signing an industry collective labour agreement ........................................................................... 28Article 88 Relationship between enterprise collective labour agreement and industry collective labour agreement ....................................................................................................................................... 28Article 89 Duration of industry collective labour agreement.......................................................................... 29CHAPTER 6 ................................................................................................................................................................. 29 Wages ............................................................................................................................................................................ 29Article 90 Wages ............................................................................................................................................. 29Article 91 Minimum wage rate........................................................................................................................ 29Article 92 National Wage Council .................................................................................................................. 30Article 93 Formulation of wage scales, wage tables and labour rates ........................................................... 30Article 94 Method of payment of wages .......................................................................................................... 30Article 95 Periodic payment of wages............................................................................................................. 30Article 96 Principles for payment of wages .................................................................................................... 30Article 97 Wages for working overtime and for night work ............................................................................ 31Article 98 Wages on ceasing work .................................................................................................................. 31Article 99 Payment of wages by [contractor''''s] foreman................................................................................. 31Article 100 Payment of wages in advance......................................................................................................... 32Article 101 Deducting sums from wages ........................................................................................................... 32Article 102 Regime on allowances, subsidies, promotion and wage increases................................................. 32Article 103 Bonuses .......................................................................................................................................... 32CHAPTER 7 ................................................................................................................................................................. 32Working Hours and Rest Breaks ................................................................................................................................ 32Section 1 ..................................................................................................................................................................... 32Working Hours ........................................................................................................................................................... 32Article 104 Normal working hours.................................................................................................................... 32Article 105 Night working hours ....................................................................................................................... 33Article 106 Additional working hours [overtime] ............................................................................................. 33Article 107 Additional working hours [overtime] in special cases ................................................................... 33Section 2 ..................................................................................................................................................................... 34Rest Breaks................................................................................................................................................................. 34Article 108 Rest breaks during working periods ............................................................................................... 34Article 109 Rest breaks in order to transfer between shifts .............................................................................. 34Article 110 Weekly days off ............................................................................................................................... 34Article 111 Annual leave ................................................................................................................................... 34Article 112 Additional leave according to years of employment....................................................................... 35Article 113 Payment of wages in advance and travelling expenses for annual leave ....................................... 35Article 114 Payment of wages for leave not taken ............................................................................................ 35Section 3 ..................................................................................................................................................................... 35Festivals [Public Holidays], Personal Leave of Absence and Leave without Pay ..................................................... 35Article 115 Festivals [public holidays] and New Year ..................................................................................... 35Article 116 Personal leave of absence and leave without pay .......................................................................... 36Section 4 ..................................................................................................................................................................... 36Working hours and Rest Breaks for Workers on Jobs of a Special Nature ................................................................ 36Article 117 Working hours and rest breaks for workers on jobs of a special nature ........................................ 36CHAPTER 8 ................................................................................................................................................................. 36Labour Discipline and Liability for Damage ............................................................................................................. 36Section 1 ..................................................................................................................................................................... 36Labour Discipline....................................................................................................................................................... 36 Article 118 Labour discipline............................................................................................................................ 36Article 119 Internal labour rules ...................................................................................................................... 37Article 120 Registration of internal labour rules .............................................................................................. 37Article 121 File for registration of internal labour rules .................................................................................. 37Article 122 Effective date of internal labour rules ............................................................................................ 37Article 123 Principles and sequence for dealing with breach of labour discipline........................................... 38Article 124 Limitation period for dealing with breach of labour discipline ..................................................... 38Article 125 Forms of dealing with breach of labour discipline ........................................................................ 39Article 126 Application of dismissal as a form of dealing with breach of labour discipline ............................ 39Article 127 Automatic clearance, and reduction of term of compliance with a labour disciplinary decision .. 39Article 128 Prohibited conduct when dealing with breach of labour discipline ............................................... 40Article 129 Temporary suspension of work....................................................................................................... 40Section 2 ..................................................................................................................................................................... 40Liability for Material Loss ......................................................................................................................................... 40Article 130 Payment of compensation for loss and damage ............................................................................. 40Article 131 Principles, sequence and procedures for ordering payment of compensation for loss and damage41Article 132 Complaints about labour discipline and about liability for loss and damage................................ 41CHAPTER 9 ................................................................................................................................................................. 41Occupational Safety and Hygiene ............................................................................................................................... 41Section 1 ..................................................................................................................................................................... 41General Provisions on Occupational Safety and Hygiene ......................................................................................... 41Article 133 Compliance with law on occupational safety and hygiene............................................................. 41Article 134 State''''s policy on occupational safety and hygiene.......................................................................... 41Article 135 Program on occupational safety and hygiene ................................................................................ 41Article 136 National technical regulations on occupational safety and hygiene .............................................. 41Article 137 Ensuring occupational safety and hygiene in the workplace ......................................................... 42Article 138 Obligations of employers and employees for occupational safety and hygiene work .................... 42Section 2 ..................................................................................................................................................................... 43Work-Related Accidents and Occupational Disease .................................................................................................. 43Article 139 Person conducting occupational safety and hygiene work............................................................. 43Article 140 Dealing with incidents and emergency rescue ............................................................................... 43Article 141 Allowance in kind to employees working in a dangerous or toxic environment............................. 43Article 142 Work-related accidents................................................................................................................... 43Article 143 Occupational disease ..................................................................................................................... 44Article 144 Responsibilities of employers owed to employees who contract an occupational disease or are injured in a work-related accident ................................................................................................. 44Article 145 Rights of employees injured in a work-related accident or who contract an occupational disease44Article 146 Conduct which is prohibited in the occupational safety and hygiene sector.................................. 45Section 3 ..................................................................................................................................................................... 45Prevention of Work-Related Accidents and Occupational Disease ........................................................................... 45Article 147 Testing and verification of machinery, equipment and materials with strict requirements for occupational safety......................................................................................................................... 45Article 148 Plan on occupational safety and hygiene ....................................................................................... 45Article 149 Personal protective facilities for workers ...................................................................................... 45Article 150 Training on occupational safety and hygiene................................................................................. 46Article 151 Information about occupational safety and hygiene ...................................................................... 46 Article 152 Health care for employees.............................................................................................................. 46CHAPTER 10 ............................................................................................................................................................... 47Separate Provisions on Female Employees ................................................................................................................ 47Article 153 State policies on female employees ................................................................................................ 47Article 154 Obligations of employers owed to female employees ..................................................................... 47Article 155 Protecting pregnancy of female employees .................................................................................... 47Article 156 Right of pregnant employees to unilaterally terminate or postpone performance of labour contract........................................................................................................................................................ 48Article 157 Maternity leave............................................................................................................................... 48Article 158 Guaranteeing jobs of female employees on maternity leave .......................................................... 49Article 159 Subsidies when taking leave to care for a sick child, to attend a pregnancy examination, or tocarry out family planning programs............................................................................................... 49Article 160 Work which must not be assigned to female employees ................................................................. 49CHAPTER 11 ............................................................................................................................................................... 49Separate Provisions on Junior Workers and a Number of Other Classes of Workers .......................................... 49Section 1 ..................................................................................................................................................................... 49Junior Workers........................................................................................................................................................... 49Article 161 Junior workers................................................................................................................................ 49Article 162 Employment of junior workers ....................................................................................................... 49Article 163 Principles for employing junior workers ........................................................................................ 49Article 164 Employment of workers under the age of fifteen (15) years ........................................................... 50Article 165 Prohibited jobs and prohibited workplaces in the case of junior employees ................................. 50Section 2 ..................................................................................................................................................................... 51Senior Workers........................................................................................................................................................... 51Article 166 Senior workers................................................................................................................................ 51Article 167 Employment of senior workers ....................................................................................................... 51Section 3 ..................................................................................................................................................................... 52Vietnamese Working Abroad, Labour for Foreign Organizations or Individuals in Vietnam, Foreign EmployeesWorking in Vietnam.................................................................................................................................................... 52Article 168 Vietnamese working abroad, and Vietnamese working for foreign organizations and individuals inVietnam .......................................................................................................................................... 52Article 169 Conditions for foreign citizens to work in Vietnam ........................................................................ 52Article 170 Conditions for recruiting workers being foreign citizens ............................................................... 52Article 171 Work permits for foreigners working in Vietnam ........................................................................... 53Article 172 Foreign citizens working in Vietnam not required to have work permits....................................... 53Article 173 Valid duration of work permits....................................................................................................... 53Article 174 Circumstances in which validity of work permit expires ................................................................ 53Article 175 Issuance, re-issuance and withdrawal of work permits.................................................................. 54Section 4 ..................................................................................................................................................................... 54Disabled Workers ....................................................................................................................................................... 54Article 176 State policies on disabled workers ................................................................................................. 54Article 177 Employment of disabled persons .................................................................................................... 54Article 178 Prohibited conduct when employing disabled workers .................................................................. 54Section 5 ..................................................................................................................................................................... 55 Workers being Domestic Servants.............................................................................................................................. 55Article 179 Domestic servants........................................................................................................................... 55Article 180 Labour contracts of domestic servants ........................................................................................... 55Article 181 Obligations of employers owed to domestic servants ..................................................................... 55Article 182 Obligations of domestic servants.................................................................................................... 55Article 183 Conduct by employers which is strictly prohibited......................................................................... 56Section 6 ..................................................................................................................................................................... 56Other Workers ............................................................................................................................................................ 56Article 184 Employees in the artistic sector, and sports and physical training sector ..................................... 56Article 185 Workers performing home-based work .......................................................................................... 56CHAPTER 12 ............................................................................................................................................................... 56Social Insurance ........................................................................................................................................................... 56Article 186 Participation in social insurance ................................................................................................... 56Article 187 Retirement age................................................................................................................................ 57CHAPTER 13 ............................................................................................................................................................... 57Trade Unions ................................................................................................................................................................ 57Article 188 Role of trade unions in the labour relationship.............................................................................. 57Article 189 Establishing, joining and participating in activities of trade unions at enterprises, agencies and organizations .................................................................................................................................. 57Article 190 Conduct which is strictly prohibited by an employer regarding establishing, joining and participating in trade union activities ............................................................................................ 58Article 191 Rights of grassroots trade union officials in the labour relationship ............................................. 58Article 192 Responsibilities of employers owed to trade unions....................................................................... 58Article 193 Guarantee of operational conditions of trade unions at enterprises, agencies and organizations 59CHAPTER 14 ............................................................................................................................................................... 59Resolution of Labour Disputes .................................................................................................................................... 59Section 1 ..................................................................................................................................................................... 59General Provisions on Resolution of Labour Disputes .............................................................................................. 59Article 194 Principles for resolution of labour disputes ................................................................................... 59Article 195 Responsibilities of agencies, organizations and individuals in resolution of labour disputes ....... 60Article 196 Rights and obligations of the two parties during resolution of a labour dispute ........................... 60Article 197 Rights of agencies, organizations and individuals competent to resolve labour disputes .............. 60Article 198 Labour conciliators ........................................................................................................................ 60Article 199 Labour arbitration councils ........................................................................................................... 61Section 2 ..................................................................................................................................................................... 61Authority and Procedures for Resolution of Individual Labour Disputes.................................................................. 61Article 200 Agencies and individuals authorized to resolve individual labour disputes................................... 61Article 201 Sequence and procedures for resolution of individual labour disputes by labour conciliators ..... 61Article 202 Limitation periods for requesting resolution of an individual labour dispute................................ 62Section 3 ..................................................................................................................................................................... 62Authority and Procedures for Resolution of Collective Labour Disputes .................................................................. 62 Article 203 Agencies, organizations and individuals authorized to resolve collective labour disputes............ 62Article 204 Order for resolution of a collective labour dispute at the grassroots level .................................... 63Article 205 Resolution of a collective labour dispute about rights by the chairman of the district people''''s committee ....................................................................................................................................... 63Article 206 Resolution of a collective labour dispute about benefits by a labour arbitration council.............. 64Article 207 Limitation period for requesting resolution of a collective labour dispute about rights ................ 64Article 208 Prohibition on unilateral acts during the process of resolution of a collective labour dispute ..... 64Section 4 ..................................................................................................................................................................... 65Strikes and Resolution of Strikes ................................................................................................................................ 65Article 209 Strikes ............................................................................................................................................. 65Article 210 Organizing and leading a strike ..................................................................................................... 65Article 211 Sequence for a strike ...................................................................................................................... 65Article 212 Procedures for obtaining opinions from the labour collective ....................................................... 65Article 213 Notification of time of commencement of a strike .......................................................................... 65Article 214 Rights of parties before and during a strike ................................................................................... 66Article 215 Circumstances in which a strike is illegal ...................................................................................... 66Article 216 Notification of decision to temporarily close a workplace ............................................................. 67Article 217 Circumstances in which it is prohibited to temporarily close a workplace.................................... 67Article 218 Wages and other lawful benefits of employees during period of a strike ....................................... 67Article 219 Conduct which is prohibited before, during and after a strike....................................................... 67Article 220 Circumstances in which strikes are prohibited .............................................................................. 68Article 221 Decision staying or suspending a strike ......................................................................................... 68Article 222 Dealing with a strike which does not comply with sequence and procedures ................................ 68Section 5 ..................................................................................................................................................................... 68Strikes and Resolution of Strikes ................................................................................................................................ 68Article 223 Petitioning a court to consider legality of a strike ......................................................................... 68Article 224 Procedures for lodging a petition with a court to consider legality of a strike .............................. 69Article 225 Authority to consider legality of a strike ........................................................................................ 69Article 226 Composition of Council of Adjudicators to consider legality of a strike........................................ 69Article 227 Procedures for resolution of a petition to consider [hear] legality of a strike............................... 69Article 228 Staying consideration of legality of a strike ................................................................................... 69Article 229 Persons [required to] participate in a session hearing legality of a strike .................................... 70Article 230 Stay of a session hearing legality of a strike .................................................................................. 70Article 231 Procedures for a session hearing legality of a strike ..................................................................... 70Article 232 Decision on legality of a strike ....................................................................................................... 70Article 233 Dealing with breaches.................................................................................................................... 71Article 234 Sequence and procedures for resolving a complaint about a decision on legality of a strike ........ 71CHAPTER 15 ............................................................................................................................................................... 71State Administration of Labour .................................................................................................................................. 71Article 235 Contents of State administration of labour..................................................................................... 71Article 236 Authority for State administration of labour .................................................................................. 72CHAPTER 16 ............................................................................................................................................................... 72State Inspection of Labour and Dealing with Breaches of the Law on Labour ...................................................... 72Article 237 Duties of State Labour Inspectorates ............................................................................................. 72Article 238 Labour Inspectorates...................................................................................................................... 72Article 239 Dealing with breaches in the labour sector.................................................................................... 73 CHAPTER 17 ............................................................................................................................................................... 73Implementing Provisions ............................................................................................................................................. 73Article 240 Effectiveness ................................................................................................................................... 73Article 241 Effectiveness in the case of locations employing less than ten employees...................................... 73Article 242 Detailed regulations and guidelines on implementation ................................................................ 74
LAW 10-2012-QH13 LABOUR CODE Dated 18 June 2012 TABLE OF CONTENTS CHAPTER General Provisions Article Article Article Article Article Article Article Article Governing scope Applicable entities Interpretation of terms State's policy on labour Rights and obligations of employees Rights and obligations of employers Labour relationship Conduct which is strictly prohibited CHAPTER Employment Article Article 10 Article 11 Article 12 Article 13 Article 14 Employment and finding jobs Right of workers to work Right of employers to recruit labour State policy on employment Employment programs Employment services organizations CHAPTER Labour Contracts Section Signing Labour Contracts Article 15 Labour contracts Article 16 Forms of labour contract Article 17 Principles for signing labour contracts Article 18 Responsibility to sign labour contracts Article 19 Responsibility to provide information before signing a labour contract Article 20 Prohibited conduct by an employer when signing and performing a labour contract Article 21 Entering into multiple labour contracts with multiple employers Article 22 Types of labour contract Article 23 Contents of labour contracts Article 24 Addenda to labour contracts Article 25 Effectiveness of a labour contract Article 26 Probationary period of work Article 27 Duration of probationary period Article 28 Wage during probationary period 10 Allens Arthur Robinson - Vietnam Laws Online Database on www.vietnamlaws.com i Article 29 Termination of probationary period 10 Section 10 Performance of Labour Contracts 10 Article 30 Performing work pursuant to a labour contract 10 Article 31 Assigning employee to other work different from the labour contract 10 Article 32 Cases in which suspension of performance of a labour contract is permitted 10 Article 33 Responsibility to receive the employee back to work on expiry of suspension of performance of labour contract 11 Article 34 Employees working part-time 11 Section 11 Amending, Supplementing and Terminating Labour Contracts 11 Article 35 Amending and supplementing labour contracts 11 Article 36 Circumstances in which labour contract is terminated 11 Article 37 Circumstances in which an employee has the right to unilaterally terminate the labour contract 12 Article 38 Circumstances in which an employer has the right to unilaterally terminate the labour contract 13 Article 39 Circumstances in which an employer is not permitted to unilaterally terminate a labour contract 14 Article 40 Rescission of unilateral termination of labour contract 14 Article 41 Illegal unilateral termination of labour contract 14 Article 42 Obligations of employer who unilaterally terminates a labour contract illegally 14 Article 43 Obligations of employee who unilaterally terminates a labour contract illegally 15 Article 44 Obligations of employer in cases of restructuring, change of technology, or [changes for] economic reasons 15 Article 45 Obligations of employer upon merger, consolidation, division or separation of an enterprise or co-operative 15 Article 46 Labour usage plan 15 Article 47 Responsibilities of employers who terminate labour contracts 16 Article 48 Severance allowance on retrenchment 16 Article 49 Severance allowance for job loss 16 Section 17 Invalid Labour Contracts 17 Article 50 Invalid labour contract 17 Article 51 Authority to declare a labour contract invalid 17 Article 52 Dealing with invalid labour contracts 17 Section 18 Labour Outsourcing 18 Article 53 Labour outsourcing [or sub-leasing] 18 Article 54 Labour outsourcing enterprises 18 Article 55 Labour sublease contract 18 Article 56 Rights and obligations of labour outsourcing enterprises 19 Article 57 Rights and obligations of sub-leasing employers 19 Article 58 Rights and obligations of sub-leased employees 20 CHAPTER 20 Apprenticeship, Providing Training, and Fostering Improvement of Job and Professional Skills 20 Article 59 Article 60 Apprenticeship and providing trade training 20 Responsibilities of employers to provide training, to foster and improve job and professional skills 20 Allens Arthur Robinson - Vietnam Laws Online Database on www.vietnamlaws.com ii Article 61 Article 62 Apprenticeship and practical training in order to work for an employer 20 Trade training contract between employer and employee and training fees 21 CHAPTER 22 Discussion at Workplaces, Collective Bargaining, and Collective Labour Agreements 22 Section 22 Discussion at Workplaces 22 Article 63 Objectives and form of discussion at workplaces 22 Article 64 Contents of discussion at workplaces 22 Article 65 Conducting discussion at workplace 22 Section 23 Collective Bargaining 23 Article 66 Objective of collective bargaining 23 Article 67 Principles for collective bargaining 23 Article 68 Right to require collective bargaining 23 Article 69 Representation at collective bargaining 23 Article 70 Matters subject to collective bargaining 24 Article 71 Collective bargaining process 24 Article 72 Responsibilities during collective bargaining of the trade union, of the organization representing the employer, and of the State administrative body for labour 25 Section 25 Collective Labour Agreement 25 Article 73 Collective labour agreement 25 Article 74 Signing a collective labour agreement 25 Article 75 Sending copies of a collective agreement to State administrative bodies 26 Article 76 Effective date of collective labour agreement 26 Article 77 Amendments and additions to collective labour agreement 26 Article 78 Invalid collective labour agreement 26 Article 79 Authority to declare a collective labour agreement invalid 26 Article 80 Dealing with an invalid collective labour agreement 27 Article 81 Expiry of collective labour agreement 27 Article 82 Expenses for collective bargaining and for signing collective labour agreement 27 Section 27 Enterprise Collective Labour Agreement 27 Article 83 Signing an enterprise collective labour agreement 27 Article 84 Implementation of enterprise collective labour agreement 27 Article 85 Duration of enterprise collective labour agreement 28 Article 86 Implementation of collective labour agreement when an enterprise transfers ownership of, right to manage or right to use the enterprise, or merges, consolidates, divides or separates 28 Section 28 Industry Collective Labour Agreement 28 Article 87 Signing an industry collective labour agreement 28 Article 88 Relationship between enterprise collective labour agreement and industry collective labour agreement 28 Article 89 Duration of industry collective labour agreement 29 CHAPTER 29 Allens Arthur Robinson - Vietnam Laws Online Database on www.vietnamlaws.com iii Wages 29 Article 90 Article 91 Article 92 Article 93 Article 94 Article 95 Article 96 Article 97 Article 98 Article 99 Article 100 Article 101 Article 102 Article 103 Wages 29 Minimum wage rate 29 National Wage Council 30 Formulation of wage scales, wage tables and labour rates 30 Method of payment of wages 30 Periodic payment of wages 30 Principles for payment of wages 30 Wages for working overtime and for night work 31 Wages on ceasing work 31 Payment of wages by [contractor's] foreman 31 Payment of wages in advance 32 Deducting sums from wages 32 Regime on allowances, subsidies, promotion and wage increases 32 Bonuses 32 CHAPTER 32 Working Hours and Rest Breaks 32 Section 32 Working Hours 32 Article 104 Normal working hours 32 Article 105 Night working hours 33 Article 106 Additional working hours [overtime] 33 Article 107 Additional working hours [overtime] in special cases 33 Section 34 Rest Breaks 34 Article 108 Rest breaks during working periods 34 Article 109 Rest breaks in order to transfer between shifts 34 Article 110 Weekly days off 34 Article 111 Annual leave 34 Article 112 Additional leave according to years of employment 35 Article 113 Payment of wages in advance and travelling expenses for annual leave 35 Article 114 Payment of wages for leave not taken 35 Section 35 Festivals [Public Holidays], Personal Leave of Absence and Leave without Pay 35 Article 115 Festivals [public holidays] and New Year 35 Article 116 Personal leave of absence and leave without pay 36 Section 36 Working hours and Rest Breaks for Workers on Jobs of a Special Nature 36 Article 117 Working hours and rest breaks for workers on jobs of a special nature 36 CHAPTER 36 Labour Discipline and Liability for Damage 36 Section 36 Labour Discipline 36 Allens Arthur Robinson - Vietnam Laws Online Database on www.vietnamlaws.com iv Article 118 Article 119 Article 120 Article 121 Article 122 Article 123 Article 124 Article 125 Article 126 Article 127 Article 128 Article 129 Labour discipline 36 Internal labour rules 37 Registration of internal labour rules 37 File for registration of internal labour rules 37 Effective date of internal labour rules 37 Principles and sequence for dealing with breach of labour discipline 38 Limitation period for dealing with breach of labour discipline 38 Forms of dealing with breach of labour discipline 39 Application of dismissal as a form of dealing with breach of labour discipline 39 Automatic clearance, and reduction of term of compliance with a labour disciplinary decision 39 Prohibited conduct when dealing with breach of labour discipline 40 Temporary suspension of work 40 Section 40 Liability for Material Loss 40 Article 130 Payment of compensation for loss and damage 40 Article 131 Principles, sequence and procedures for ordering payment of compensation for loss and damage 41 Article 132 Complaints about labour discipline and about liability for loss and damage 41 CHAPTER 41 Occupational Safety and Hygiene 41 Section 41 General Provisions on Occupational Safety and Hygiene 41 Article 133 Compliance with law on occupational safety and hygiene 41 Article 134 State's policy on occupational safety and hygiene 41 Article 135 Program on occupational safety and hygiene 41 Article 136 National technical regulations on occupational safety and hygiene 41 Article 137 Ensuring occupational safety and hygiene in the workplace 42 Article 138 Obligations of employers and employees for occupational safety and hygiene work 42 Section 43 Work-Related Accidents and Occupational Disease 43 Article 139 Person conducting occupational safety and hygiene work 43 Article 140 Dealing with incidents and emergency rescue 43 Article 141 Allowance in kind to employees working in a dangerous or toxic environment 43 Article 142 Work-related accidents 43 Article 143 Occupational disease 44 Article 144 Responsibilities of employers owed to employees who contract an occupational disease or are injured in a work-related accident 44 Article 145 Rights of employees injured in a work-related accident or who contract an occupational disease44 Article 146 Conduct which is prohibited in the occupational safety and hygiene sector 45 Section 45 Prevention of Work-Related Accidents and Occupational Disease 45 Article 147 Testing and verification of machinery, equipment and materials with strict requirements for occupational safety 45 Article 148 Plan on occupational safety and hygiene 45 Article 149 Personal protective facilities for workers 45 Article 150 Training on occupational safety and hygiene 46 Article 151 Information about occupational safety and hygiene 46 Allens Arthur Robinson - Vietnam Laws Online Database on www.vietnamlaws.com v Article 152 Health care for employees 46 CHAPTER 10 47 Separate Provisions on Female Employees 47 Article 153 Article 154 Article 155 Article 156 Article 157 Article 158 Article 159 Article 160 State policies on female employees 47 Obligations of employers owed to female employees 47 Protecting pregnancy of female employees 47 Right of pregnant employees to unilaterally terminate or postpone performance of labour contract 48 Maternity leave 48 Guaranteeing jobs of female employees on maternity leave 49 Subsidies when taking leave to care for a sick child, to attend a pregnancy examination, or to carry out family planning programs 49 Work which must not be assigned to female employees 49 CHAPTER 11 49 Separate Provisions on Junior Workers and a Number of Other Classes of Workers 49 Section 49 Junior Workers 49 Article 161 Junior workers 49 Article 162 Employment of junior workers 49 Article 163 Principles for employing junior workers 49 Article 164 Employment of workers under the age of fifteen (15) years 50 Article 165 Prohibited jobs and prohibited workplaces in the case of junior employees 50 Section 51 Senior Workers 51 Article 166 Senior workers 51 Article 167 Employment of senior workers 51 Section 52 Vietnamese Working Abroad, Labour for Foreign Organizations or Individuals in Vietnam, Foreign Employees Working in Vietnam 52 Article 168 Vietnamese working abroad, and Vietnamese working for foreign organizations and individuals in Vietnam 52 Article 169 Conditions for foreign citizens to work in Vietnam 52 Article 170 Conditions for recruiting workers being foreign citizens 52 Article 171 Work permits for foreigners working in Vietnam 53 Article 172 Foreign citizens working in Vietnam not required to have work permits 53 Article 173 Valid duration of work permits 53 Article 174 Circumstances in which validity of work permit expires 53 Article 175 Issuance, re-issuance and withdrawal of work permits 54 Section 54 Disabled Workers 54 Article 176 State policies on disabled workers 54 Article 177 Employment of disabled persons 54 Article 178 Prohibited conduct when employing disabled workers 54 Section 55 Allens Arthur Robinson - Vietnam Laws Online Database on www.vietnamlaws.com vi Workers being Domestic Servants 55 Article 179 Domestic servants 55 Article 180 Labour contracts of domestic servants 55 Article 181 Obligations of employers owed to domestic servants 55 Article 182 Obligations of domestic servants 55 Article 183 Conduct by employers which is strictly prohibited 56 Section 56 Other Workers 56 Article 184 Employees in the artistic sector, and sports and physical training sector 56 Article 185 Workers performing home-based work 56 CHAPTER 12 56 Social Insurance 56 Article 186 Article 187 Participation in social insurance 56 Retirement age 57 CHAPTER 13 57 Trade Unions 57 Article 188 Article 189 Article 190 Article 191 Article 192 Article 193 Role of trade unions in the labour relationship 57 Establishing, joining and participating in activities of trade unions at enterprises, agencies and organizations 57 Conduct which is strictly prohibited by an employer regarding establishing, joining and participating in trade union activities 58 Rights of grassroots trade union officials in the labour relationship 58 Responsibilities of employers owed to trade unions 58 Guarantee of operational conditions of trade unions at enterprises, agencies and organizations 59 CHAPTER 14 59 Resolution of Labour Disputes 59 Section 59 General Provisions on Resolution of Labour Disputes 59 Article 194 Principles for resolution of labour disputes 59 Article 195 Responsibilities of agencies, organizations and individuals in resolution of labour disputes 60 Article 196 Rights and obligations of the two parties during resolution of a labour dispute 60 Article 197 Rights of agencies, organizations and individuals competent to resolve labour disputes 60 Article 198 Labour conciliators 60 Article 199 Labour arbitration councils 61 Section 61 Authority and Procedures for Resolution of Individual Labour Disputes 61 Article 200 Agencies and individuals authorized to resolve individual labour disputes 61 Article 201 Sequence and procedures for resolution of individual labour disputes by labour conciliators 61 Article 202 Limitation periods for requesting resolution of an individual labour dispute 62 Section 62 Authority and Procedures for Resolution of Collective Labour Disputes 62 Allens Arthur Robinson - Vietnam Laws Online Database on www.vietnamlaws.com vii Article 203 Article 204 Article 205 Article 206 Article 207 Article 208 Agencies, organizations and individuals authorized to resolve collective labour disputes 62 Order for resolution of a collective labour dispute at the grassroots level 63 Resolution of a collective labour dispute about rights by the chairman of the district people's committee 63 Resolution of a collective labour dispute about benefits by a labour arbitration council 64 Limitation period for requesting resolution of a collective labour dispute about rights 64 Prohibition on unilateral acts during the process of resolution of a collective labour dispute 64 Section 65 Strikes and Resolution of Strikes 65 Article 209 Strikes 65 Article 210 Organizing and leading a strike 65 Article 211 Sequence for a strike 65 Article 212 Procedures for obtaining opinions from the labour collective 65 Article 213 Notification of time of commencement of a strike 65 Article 214 Rights of parties before and during a strike 66 Article 215 Circumstances in which a strike is illegal 66 Article 216 Notification of decision to temporarily close a workplace 67 Article 217 Circumstances in which it is prohibited to temporarily close a workplace 67 Article 218 Wages and other lawful benefits of employees during period of a strike 67 Article 219 Conduct which is prohibited before, during and after a strike 67 Article 220 Circumstances in which strikes are prohibited 68 Article 221 Decision staying or suspending a strike 68 Article 222 Dealing with a strike which does not comply with sequence and procedures 68 Section 68 Strikes and Resolution of Strikes 68 Article 223 Petitioning a court to consider legality of a strike 68 Article 224 Procedures for lodging a petition with a court to consider legality of a strike 69 Article 225 Authority to consider legality of a strike 69 Article 226 Composition of Council of Adjudicators to consider legality of a strike 69 Article 227 Procedures for resolution of a petition to consider [hear] legality of a strike 69 Article 228 Staying consideration of legality of a strike 69 Article 229 Persons [required to] participate in a session hearing legality of a strike 70 Article 230 Stay of a session hearing legality of a strike 70 Article 231 Procedures for a session hearing legality of a strike 70 Article 232 Decision on legality of a strike 70 Article 233 Dealing with breaches 71 Article 234 Sequence and procedures for resolving a complaint about a decision on legality of a strike 71 CHAPTER 15 71 State Administration of Labour 71 Article 235 Article 236 Contents of State administration of labour 71 Authority for State administration of labour 72 CHAPTER 16 72 State Inspection of Labour and Dealing with Breaches of the Law on Labour 72 Article 237 Article 238 Article 239 Duties of State Labour Inspectorates 72 Labour Inspectorates 72 Dealing with breaches in the labour sector 73 Allens Arthur Robinson - Vietnam Laws Online Database on www.vietnamlaws.com viii CHAPTER 17 73 Implementing Provisions 73 Article 240 Article 241 Article 242 Effectiveness 73 Effectiveness in the case of locations employing less than ten employees 73 Detailed regulations and guidelines on implementation 74 Allens Arthur Robinson - Vietnam Laws Online Database on www.vietnamlaws.com ix NATIONAL ASSEMBLY SOCIALIST REPUBLIC OF VIETNAM Independence - Freedom – Happiness Law 10-2012-QH13 Ha Noi, 18 June 2012 LABOUR CODE Pursuant to the 1992 Constitution of the Socialist Republic of Vietnam as amended by Resolution 51-2001QH10; The National Assembly hereby promulgates the Labour Code CHAPTER General Provisions Article Governing scope The Labour Code regulates labour standards; the rights, obligations and responsibilities of employees, employers, organizations representing labour collectives, and organizations representing employers in the labour relationship and in other relationships directly related to the labour relationship; and regulates State administration of labour Article Applicable entities 1 Vietnamese employees, people studying trades or practising trades [trainees and apprentices] , and other employees stipulated in the Labour Code Employers Foreign employees working in Vietnam Other agencies, organizations and individuals directly related to the labour relationship Article Interpretation of terms In this Code, the following terms are construed as follows: Employee means a person at least fifteen (15) years of age, with the ability to work, who works pursuant to a labour contract, who is paid wages and who is subject to management by the employer Employer means an enterprise, agency, organization, co-operative, business household or individual who hires [or] employs labour pursuant to a labour contract; and in the case of an individual employer must have full legal capacity for civil acts Labour collective means an organized collective of employees working together for one employer or within any one section of the organizational structure of an employer Allens Arthur Robinson footnote: Square brackets contain translator's comments only Allens Arthur Robinson - Vietnam Laws Online Database on www.vietnamlaws.com Resolution of a labour dispute must, first and foremost, be based on direct negotiation between the two parties aimed at reaching a harmonious solution of the interests of the two parties to the dispute, stabilizing production and business, and ensuring social order and safety A labour dispute shall be resolved by an agency, organization or individual authorized to conduct labour dispute resolution if one of the two parties files a petition [for resolution] because the other refused to conduct negotiation, if negotiation was conducted but was unsuccessful, or if negotiation was successful but a party failed to implement [the agreement reached] Article 195 Responsibilities of agencies, organizations and individuals in resolution of labour disputes State administrative authorities for labour are responsible to coordinate with trade unions and with organizations representing employers to guide and assist the parties to resolve a labour dispute The Ministry of Labour, War Invalids and Social Affairs shall arrange training to raise the professional capacity of labour conciliators and labour arbitrators for resolution of labour disputes Competent State authorities must take the initiative in promptly conducting resolution of collective labour disputes about rights Article 196 Rights and obligations of the two parties during resolution of a labour dispute The two parties have the following rights during resolution of a labour dispute: (a) (b) To withdraw the petition for resolution or to amend the items in dispute; (c) To participate in the resolution process either directly or via a representative; To request that the person directly resolving the labour dispute be replaced if there is any reason why such person will be unable to be objective or fair The two parties have the following obligations during resolution of a labour dispute: (a) To promptly provide all relevant documents and evidence in order to prove the party's requests (b) To strictly comply with all agreements reached, and with any legally effective judgment or decision Article 197 Rights of agencies, organizations and individuals competent to resolve labour disputes Agencies, organizations and individuals competent to resolve labour disputes have the right, within the scope of their respective duties and power, to require the two disputing parties and other agencies, organizations and individuals concerned to provide data and evidence; and have the right to seek assessments and to invite attendance by witnesses and other relevant people Article 198 Labour conciliators The State administrative authority for labour of a district, town or provincial city shall appoint labour conciliators to conciliate labour disputes and disputes about trade training contracts The Government shall regulate the criteria and authority for appointing labour conciliators Allens Arthur Robinson - Vietnam Laws Online Database on www.vietnamlaws.com 60 Article 199 Labour arbitration councils The Chairman of a provincial people's committee shall issue a decision on establishment of a Labour Arbitration Council A Labour Arbitration Council shall comprise as its President the head of the State administrative authority for labour, and the secretary of the Council and its members shall be representatives of the provincial level trade unions and of organizations representing employers The number of members of a Labour Arbitration Council shall be an odd number, but shall not exceed seven (7) In necessary cases, the President of a Labour Arbitration Council may invite representatives of relevant agencies and organizations and people with experience in the sector of labour management in the locality A Labour Arbitration Council shall conduct conciliation of the following collective labour disputes: (a) A collective labour dispute about benefits; (b) A collective labour dispute occurring at employing units not permitted to strike as stipulated in the list regulated by the Government The Labour Arbitration Council shall make a decision on the principle of majority vote after a secret ballot Provincial people's committees shall ensure the necessary conditions for Labour Arbitration Councils to carry out their activities Section Authority and Procedures for Resolution of Individual Labour Disputes Article 200 Agencies and individuals authorized to resolve individual labour disputes [The following agencies and individuals are authorized to resolve individual labour disputes: Labour conciliators People's Courts Article 201 Sequence and procedures for resolution of individual labour disputes by labour conciliators An individual labour dispute must pass through procedures for conciliation by a labour conciliator prior to a petition to a court to resolve the dispute, except for the following labour disputes for which it is not mandatory to conduct conciliation procedures: (a) A dispute relating to the disciplinary measure of dismissal for breach of the law on labour, or a dispute arising from unilateral termination of a labour contract; (b) A dispute relating to payment of compensation for loss and damage, or payment of allowances upon termination of a labour contract; (c) A dispute between a domestic servant and the employer; (d) A dispute relating to social insurance in accordance with the law on social insurance, or health insurance in accordance with the law on health insurance; Allens Arthur Robinson - Vietnam Laws Online Database on www.vietnamlaws.com 61 (dd) A dispute relating to payment of compensation for loss and damage between an employee and an enterprise or professional entity sending a worker to work overseas pursuant to a contract A conciliator must terminate the conciliation within five (5) working days from the date of receipt of the request for conciliation The two disputing parties must be present at a conciliation session but may appoint authorized representatives to participate at the conciliation session [on their behalf] The labour conciliator is responsible to guide the parties in their negotiations, and if the two parties reach a settlement then the labour conciliator shall prepare minutes of settlement In the event that the two parties not reach a settlement, the labour conciliator shall provide a settlement proposal for consideration by the two parties If the two parties agree to the settlement proposal, then the labour conciliator shall prepare minutes of successful conciliation If the two parties to the dispute fail to agree on the settlement proposal, or if one of the parties has been validly summonsed twice but is still absent without a legitimate reason, then the labour conciliator shall prepare minutes of unsuccessful conciliation The minutes shall be signed by the parties in dispute who were present and also by the labour conciliator Copies of minutes of settlement or minutes of unsuccessful conciliation must be sent to the two disputing parties within one working day after the date of preparation of such minutes In the event of an unsuccessful conciliation, or if one of the parties fails to implement the agreement set out in the minutes of successful conciliation, or if on expiry of the time-limit for conciliation stipulated in clause of this article the labour conciliator has not conducted a conciliation, each disputing party has the right to petition the people's court to resolve the dispute Article 202 Limitation periods for requesting resolution of an individual labour dispute The limitation period for requesting a labour conciliator to resolve an individual labour dispute is six (6) months from the date of discovery of the conduct which a disputing party claims breaches his or her lawful rights and interests The limitation period for requesting a court to resolve an individual labour dispute is one year from the date of discovery of the conduct which a disputing party claims breaches his or her lawful rights and interests Section Authority and Procedures for Resolution of Collective Labour Disputes Article 203 Agencies, organizations and individuals authorized to resolve collective labour disputes Agencies, organizations and individuals authorized to resolve collective labour disputes about rights comprise: (a) Labour conciliators; Allens Arthur Robinson - Vietnam Laws Online Database on www.vietnamlaws.com 62 (b) (c) Chairmen of people's committees of a district, town or provincial city (hereinafter referred to as the chairman of a district people's committee); People's courts Agencies, organizations and individuals authorized to resolve collective labour disputes about benefits comprise: (a) Labour conciliators; (b) Labour arbitration councils Article 204 Order for resolution of a collective labour dispute at the grassroots level The order for conciliation of a collective labour dispute shall be implemented in accordance with the provisions in article 201 of this Code Minutes of conciliation must specify the type of collective labour dispute If a conciliation is unsuccessful or if either of the parties fails to implement the agreement set out in the minutes of successful conciliation, then the following provision applies: (a) (b) In the case of a collective labour dispute about rights, the parties have the right to petition the chairman of the district people's committee to resolve the dispute; In the case of a collective labour dispute about benefits, the parties have the right to petition a labour arbitration council to resolve the dispute If on expiry of the time-limit for resolution stipulated in article 201.2 of this Code the labour conciliator has not conducted a conciliation, the parties have the right to petition the chairman of the district people's committee to resolve the dispute The chairman of the district people's committee is responsible, within two (2) working days from receipt of a petition, to determine whether the dispute is one about rights or one about benefits If the collective labour dispute is about rights, then it shall be resolved in accordance with clause 2(a) of this article and article 205 of this Code If the collective labour dispute is about benefits, then the parties must be immediately guided to request dispute resolution in accordance with clause 2(b) of this article Article 205 Resolution of a collective labour dispute about rights by the chairman of the district people's committee The chairman of a district people's committee must conduct resolution of a collective labour dispute about rights within five (5) working days from receipt of the request for resolution The authorized representatives of the two disputing parties must be present at a session resolving a collective labour dispute about rights In necessary cases, the chairman of the district people's committee may invite representatives of other agencies and organizations concerned to attend the session Allens Arthur Robinson - Vietnam Laws Online Database on www.vietnamlaws.com 63 The chairman of a district people's committee must rely on the law on labour, the collective labour agreement, internal labour rules which have been registered, and on other legal regulations and agreements in order to hear and resolve the labour dispute In the event that the parties disagree with the decision of the chairman of the district people's committee, or if such chairman has not resolved the matter on expiry of the time-limit, then the parties have the right to petition the court to resolve the matter Article 206 Resolution of a collective labour dispute about benefits by a labour arbitration council The Labour Arbitration Council must complete a conciliation of a collective labour dispute about benefits within seven (7) working days from the date of receipt of a request for resolution The representatives of the two disputing parties must be present at a session held by the Labour Arbitration Council In necessary cases, Labour Arbitration Council may invite representatives of other agencies, organizations and individuals concerned to attend the session The Labour Arbitration Council is responsible to assist the parties to conduct their own negotiations, but if the parties are unable to reach a settlement then the Labour Arbitration Council shall provide a settlement proposal for the two parties' consideration If the two parties reach their own settlement or agree to the settlement proposal, the Labour Arbitration Council shall prepare minutes of successful conciliation and at the same time issue a decision recognizing the agreement reached by the parties If the two parties fail to reach an agreement, or if one of the disputing parties has been validly summonsed twice but is still absent without a legitimate reason, then the Labour Arbitration Council shall prepare minutes of unsuccessful conciliation Minutes shall be signed by the party/parties present and also by the President and secretary of the Labour Arbitration Council Copies of minutes of successful conciliation or minutes of unsuccessful conciliation must be sent to the two disputing parties within one (1) working day from the date of preparation of such minutes If one of the parties fails to implement the agreement reached after expiry of five (5) days from the date on which the Labour Arbitration Council prepared the minutes of successful conciliation, then the labour collective has the right to conduct procedures in order to strike In a case where the Labour Arbitration Council prepared the minutes of unsuccessful conciliation, the labour collective has the right to conduct procedures in order to strike after expiry of three (3) days [from the date of preparation of such minutes] Article 207 Limitation period for requesting resolution of a collective labour dispute about rights The limitation period for requesting resolution of a collective labour dispute about rights is one year from the date of discovery of the conduct which either disputing party claims breached its lawful rights and interests Article 208 Prohibition on unilateral acts during the process of resolution of a collective labour dispute Neither party is permitted to act unilaterally against the other party during the period of resolution of a collective labour dispute by an authorized agency, organization or individual as prescribed in this Code Allens Arthur Robinson - Vietnam Laws Online Database on www.vietnamlaws.com 64 Section Strikes and Resolution of Strikes Article 209 Strikes A strike means a temporary and voluntary cessation of work organized by the labour collective in order to achieve demands during resolution of a labour dispute A strike may only be held in respect of a collective labour dispute about benefits and on expiry of the time-limits prescribed in article 206.3 of this Code Article 210 Organizing and leading a strike A strike must be organized and led by the executive committee of the grassroots trade union in any location where there is a grassroots trade union organization The superior level trade union organization may organize and lead a strike at the request of workers in any location where there is not yet a grassroots trade union organization Article 211 Sequence for a strike Obtaining opinions from the labour collective Issuing a decision to strike Holding the strike Article 212 Procedures for obtaining opinions from the labour collective In the case of a labour collective which has a grassroots trade union organization, opinions shall be taken from the members of the executive committee of the grassroots trade union and from the leaders of manufacturing groups In a case where there is not a grassroots trade union organization, opinions shall be taken from leaders of manufacturing groups or from the employees Taking of opinions may be in the form of voting or by collecting signatures The contents of obtaining opinions about striking shall comprise: (a) (b) The proposal of the executive committee of the trade union about the items stipulated in subclauses (b), (c) and (d) of article 213.2 of this Code; Opinion of the employees agreeing or not agreeing to a strike The time-limit for and form of taking opinions about striking shall be decided by the executive committee of the trade union and must be notified to the employees at least one day in advance Article 213 Notification of time of commencement of a strike When there are opinions in agreement from more than fifty (50) per cent of the employees on the proposal made by the executive committee of the trade union, then such executive committee shall issue a written decision on a strike Allens Arthur Robinson - Vietnam Laws Online Database on www.vietnamlaws.com 65 A decision on a strike must contain the following particulars: (a) Results of obtaining opinions on the strike; (b) Time of commencement of the strike and the location of the strike; (c) Scope within which the strike will be conducted; (d) Demands of the labour collective; (dd) Full name of the person representing the executive committee of the labour union and a contact address for resolution At least five (5) working days prior to the date of commencement of a strike, the executive committee of the trade union must send the decision on the strike to the employer, and at the same time send one copy to the provincial State administrative authority for labour and one copy to the provincial trade union If by the time for commencement of the strike the employer fails to agree to the demands of the labour collective, then the executive committee of the trade union shall organize and lead the strike Article 214 Rights of parties before and during a strike To continue to reach agreement on resolution of the contents of the collective labour dispute, or to jointly propose that the provincial State administrative authority for labour, the provincial trade union organization and the organization representing employers at the provincial level conduct a conciliation The executive committee of the trade union has the following rights: (a) (b) To withdraw the decision to strike if the strike has not yet taken place, or to end a strike which has commenced; To petition a court to declare that the strike is lawful [legal] An employer has the following rights: (a) To agree with all or a part of the demands and to provide written notification thereof to the executive committee of the trade union organization and to the leaders of the strike; (b) To temporarily close workplaces during the duration of a strike if there are insufficient conditions for maintaining normal activities or in order to protect assets; (c) To petition a court to declare that the strike is illegal Article 215 Circumstances in which a strike is illegal The strike does not arise from a collective labour dispute The strike is not held by employees jointly working for the same employer The strike is held when a collective labour dispute remains unresolved by, or is currently being resolved by an [authorized] agency, organization or individual pursuant to the provisions of this Code Allens Arthur Robinson - Vietnam Laws Online Database on www.vietnamlaws.com 66 The strike is held at an enterprise at which strikes are prohibited pursuant to the list issued by the Government There is a decision staying or suspending the strike Article 216 Notification of decision to temporarily close a workplace An employer must, at least three (3) working days prior to the date on which it temporarily closes a workplace, publicly list such decision on temporary closure at the workplace and also notify the following agencies and organizations: The executive committee of the trade union organization, and the leaders of the strike The provincial trade union The organization representing the employer The provincial State administrative authority for labour The district people's committee in the locality where the employer's head office is located Article 217 Circumstances in which it is prohibited to temporarily close a workplace Within twelve (12) hours of the time of commencement of the strike as recorded in the decision to strike After the labour collective has stopped the strike Article 218 Wages and other lawful benefits of employees during period of a strike Any employee not participating in a strike who must cease work because of the strike shall be paid salary for cessation of work in accordance with article 98.2 of this Code and shall be entitled to other benefits in accordance with the law on labour Employees participating in a strike shall not be paid salary or other benefits pursuant to law, unless the two parties agree otherwise Article 219 Conduct which is prohibited before, during and after a strike Interfering with exercise of the right to strike; or inciting, embroiling or coercing employees to strike; preventing an employee not participating in a strike from going to work Using violence; causing damage to machinery, equipment or assets of the employer Infringing public order and safety Terminating a labour contract or applying a labour disciplinary penalty to employees or to organizers or leaders of a strike, or transferring employees or leaders of a strike to other work or to work at another location because of their preparation for or participation in a strike Taking revenge on or victimizing any employee participating in a strike or any person leading a strike Taking advantage of a strike in order to act contrary to law Allens Arthur Robinson - Vietnam Laws Online Database on www.vietnamlaws.com 67 Article 220 Circumstances in which strikes are prohibited A strike is prohibited at any enterprise employing workers engaged in essential activities for the national economy and where a strike could threaten national defence and security, or public health and order in accordance with the list issued by the Government State administrative bodies must periodically hold sessions to hear [collect] the opinions of labour collectives and of employers in order to promptly assist and resolve legitimate demands of labour collectives Article 221 Decision staying or suspending a strike If it is considered that a strike poses a danger of serious infringement to the national economy or public interest, the chairman of the provincial people's committee may issue a decision staying or suspending the strike and shall assign an authorized State body or [other authorized] organization to resolve the matter The Government shall provide regulations on staying or suspending strikes and on resolving the interests of labour collectives Article 222 Dealing with a strike which does not comply with sequence and procedures If the organization of and leading a strike fails to comply with the provisions in articles 212 and 213 of this Code, the chairman of the provincial people's committee shall issue a decision declaring the strike to be in breach of [stipulated] sequence and procedures and shall immediately notify the chairman of the district people's committee The chairman of the district people's committee shall, within twelve (12) hours of receipt of notification from the chairman of the provincial people's committee, co-ordinate with the same level State authority for labour and with the same level trade union and other agencies and organizations concerned to directly meet the employer and the executive committee of the grassroots trade union or the superior level trade union, in order to hear their opinions and assist the parties to find a way of resolving the matter and normalizing production and business activities Section Strikes and Resolution of Strikes Article 223 Petitioning a court to consider legality of a strike Either party has the right to petition a court to consider [hear] the legality of a strike during the process of the strike or within a period of three (3) months from the end of a strike A petition must contain the following main particulars: (a) The date of the petition; (b) The name of the court to receive the petition; (c) The name and address of the applicant; (d) The names and addresses of the organizers and leaders of the strike; (dd) The name and address of the employer where the labour collective is or was on strike; Allens Arthur Robinson - Vietnam Laws Online Database on www.vietnamlaws.com 68 (e) (g) The issues which the court is requested to resolve; Other information which the applicant considers essential for resolution of the matter The applicant must enclose with the petition a copy of the decision to strike, of the decision or minutes regarding conciliation prepared by the agency or organization authorized to resolve the collective labour dispute, and other data and evidence relevant to a consideration of the legality of the strike Article 224 Procedures for lodging a petition with a court to consider legality of a strike The procedures for lodging a petition, accepting jurisdiction, the obligations to provide data and evidence for a court to hear and decide the legality of a strike shall be implemented the same as the procedures for lodging petitions, accepting jurisdiction, and the obligations to provide data and evidence at courts as regulated in the Civil Procedure Code Article 225 Authority to consider legality of a strike The provincial people's court in the location where a strike occurs [or occurred] has authority [jurisdiction] to hear the legality of the strike The People's Supreme Court has authority [jurisdiction] to resolve any complaint about a decision on the legality of a strike Article 226 Composition of Council of Adjudicators to consider legality of a strike The Council of Adjudicators to consider the legality of a strike shall be composed of three judges The Council of Adjudicators to resolve a complaint about a decision on the legality of a strike shall be composed of three judges as appointed by the Chief Judge of the People's Supreme Court The procedures set out in the Civil Proceedings Code shall apply to any change of judges being members of the Council of Adjudicators appointed to hear the legality of a strike Article 227 Procedures for resolution of a petition to consider [hear] legality of a strike The Chief Judge of the Provincial People's Court shall, immediately after receipt of a petition, appoint a Council of Adjudicators to hear the legality of the strike, and shall allocate one judge to preside over resolution of the petition Within five (5) working days of the date of receipt of the petition, the judge allocated to preside over resolution of the petition must issue a decision placing the case in the list for hearing, and the decision opening a session to hear the legality of the strike must be sent to the executive committee of the trade union, to the employer, and to other agencies and organizations concerned Within five (5) working days of the date of issuing a decision to consider the legality of a strike, the Council of Adjudicators must open a session to consider the legality of the strike Article 228 Staying consideration of legality of a strike The Court shall only stay consideration [hearing] of the legality of a strike in the following circumstances: The applicant withdraws its petition Allens Arthur Robinson - Vietnam Laws Online Database on www.vietnamlaws.com 69 The two parties reach agreement on resolution of the strike and lodge a petition requesting the Court not to resolve the matter The applicant has been validly summonsed twice but is still absent without a legitimate reason Article 229 Persons [required to] participate in a session hearing legality of a strike [The following persons shall participate in a session hearing legality of a strike:] The Council of Adjudicators with the judge allocated [pursuant to article 227.1] acting as presiding judge; and the secretary of the Court to record minutes of the session Representatives of the labour collective and of the employer Representatives of other agencies and organizations as requested by the court Article 230 Stay of a session hearing legality of a strike The Judge allocated to preside over a session hearing the legality of a strike or the Council of Adjudicators may stay the session in the same circumstances as the law on civil proceedings permits the stay of a court session The duration of stay of a court session hearing the legality of a strike shall not exceed three (3) working days Article 231 Procedures for a session hearing legality of a strike The presiding judge of the session hearing the legality of the strike shall read out the decision opening the session to hear the legality of the strike and shall summarize the contents of the petition Representatives of the labour collective and of the employer shall explain their opinions The presiding judge of the session hearing the legality of the strike may request representatives of any agency or organization participating in the session to explain their opinions The Council of Adjudicators shall debate the issues and reach a majority decision Article 232 Decision on legality of a strike The decision of the Court on legality of a strike must specify the reasons and the grounds for concluding that the strike is lawful The decision of the Court on legality of a strike must be publicly announced at court and immediately sent to the executive committee of the trade union and to the employer, and also to the same level People's Procuracy The labour collective and the employer are responsible to implement the decision of the Court but have the right to lodge a complaint in accordance with the procedures stipulated in this Code After the decision of a Court ruling that a strike is unlawful is announced, employees participating in the strike must immediately cease striking and return to work Allens Arthur Robinson - Vietnam Laws Online Database on www.vietnamlaws.com 70 Article 233 Dealing with breaches If the decision of the Court rules that a strike is unlawful but the employees fail to stop striking and fail to return to work, then depending on the seriousness of the breach, such employees may be subject to a labour disciplinary penalty in accordance with the law on labour If an unlawful strike causes loss and damage to the employer, then the trade union organization which led the strike must pay compensation for loss and damage in accordance with law Any person taking advantage of a strike in order to cause public disorder or to damage machinery, equipment or assets of the employer; any person who interferes with exercise of the right to strike, or who incites, embroils or coerces employees to strike; or any person committing an act of revenge or victimizing another person participating in or leading a strike may, depending on the seriousness of the breach, be subject to an administrative penalty or criminal prosecution; and if such offender causes loss and damage, he or she must pay compensation in accordance with law Article 234 Sequence and procedures for resolving a complaint about a decision on legality of a strike Within fifteen (15) days from the date of receipt of a decision on legality of a strike [ruling that the strike was lawful or unlawful], the executive committee of the trade union and the employer have the right to lodge a complaint about such decision with the People's Supreme Court Immediately on receipt of a complaint petition about the decision ruling that the strike was lawful [or unlawful], the People's Supreme Court shall make a written request to the lower court which considered the legality of the strike to transfer the file on the case to the People's Supreme Court to hear and resolve the matter Within three (3) working days from receipt of the written request from the People's Supreme Court, the lower court which considered the legality of the strike shall transfer the file on the case to the People's Supreme Court to hear and resolve the matter Within five (5) working days from the date of receipt of the file from the lower court, a Council [of the People's Supreme Court] shall resolve the complaint about the decision on whether a strike is lawful or unlawful The decision of the People's Supreme Court on the legality [or illegality] of a strike shall be final CHAPTER 15 State Administration of Labour Article 235 Contents of State administration of labour State administration of labour comprises the following main contents: Promulgating and arranging implementation of legal instruments on labour Monitoring, maintaining statistics on, and supplying information about labour supply and demand and changes in such market; making decisions on policies, master planning and plans on manpower, on providing occupational training, on development of technical skills, on formulation of national general trade and occupation standards, and on allocation and employment of labour in all sections of society Regulating a list of trades and occupations in which only employees who have already passed training courses or who have national trade certificates are permitted to be employed Allens Arthur Robinson - Vietnam Laws Online Database on www.vietnamlaws.com 71 Organizing and conducting scientific research on labour, and collecting statistics and information on labour and the labour market and on the living standards and income levels of workers Formulating regimes including assistant regimes for the development of the labour relationship on a harmonious, stable and progressive basis Inspecting, conducting checks and resolving complaints and denunciations, and dealing with breaches of the law and labour; resolving labour disputes in accordance with law Conducting international co-operation on labour Article 236 Authority for State administration of labour The Government shall uniformly carry out State administration of labour throughout the entire country The Ministry of Labour, War Invalids and Social Affairs is responsible before the Government to carry out State administration of labour Ministries and ministerial equivalent bodies are responsible, within the scope of their respective duties and powers, to implement and co-ordinate with the Ministry of Labour, War Invalids and Social Affairs in implementing State administration of labour People's committees at all levels shall carry out State administration of labour within their respective localities CHAPTER 16 State Inspection of Labour and Dealing with Breaches of the Law on Labour Article 237 Duties of State Labour Inspectorates The Inspectorate of the Ministry of Labour, War Invalids and Social Affairs has the following main duties: To inspect compliance with provisions of the law on labour To investigate work-related accidents and breaches of occupational safety and hygiene [regulations] To participate in guiding application of the systems of standards and technical specifications on labour conditions, occupational safety and hygiene To resolve complaints and denunciations relating to labour in accordance with law To deal with breaches of the law on labour or make recommendations to other competent agenices to deal with them Article 238 Labour Inspectorates The Inspectorate of the Ministry of Labour, War Invalids and Social Affairs, and Inspectorates of Departments of Labour, War Invalids and Social Affairs exercise the function of specialized State labour inspection agencies Allens Arthur Robinson - Vietnam Laws Online Database on www.vietnamlaws.com 72 The inspection of occupational safety and hygiene in the sectors of radioactive materials; exploration and exploitation of oil and gas; means of transportation by rail, inland waterway, road and air; in units of the armed forces shall be carried out by the State administrative agency for the relevant sector in coordination with the specialized State labour inspection agencies Article 239 Dealing with breaches in the labour sector Any person whose conduct breaches the provisions of this Code shall, depending on the seriousness of the breach, be disciplined, be subject to an administrative penalty, or be prosecuted for criminal liability; and if such conduct causes loss and damage, then the offender must pay compensation in accordance with law CHAPTER 17 Implementing Provisions Article 240 Effectiveness This Code shall be of full force and effect as from May 2013 As from the effective date of this Code, the following shall no longer be effective: the Labour Code dated 23 June 1994, Law 35-2002-QH10 amending the Labour Code, Law 74-2006-QH11 amending the Labour Code, and Law 84-2007-QH11 of year 2007 amending the Labour Code As from the effective date of this Code: (a) Labour contracts, collective labour agreements and other lawful agreements which have already been entered into, and agreements with more greater [more favourable] benefits for employees than those stipulated in this Code shall continue to be implemented; agreements inconsistent with the provisions in this Code must be amended and/or supplemented; (b) Provisions on the period of entitlement to the maternity regime prescribed in the Law 71-2006QH11 on Social Insurance shall be implemented in accordance with the provisions in this Code In the case of female employees on maternity leave prior to the effective date of this Code but who as at May 2013 are still on maternity leave pursuant to the provisions of the Law on Social Insurance, the period of entitlement to the maternity regime shall be implemented in accordance with the provisions in this Code The labour regimes applicable to State employees, to members of the people's army and of the people's security forces, to employees of other social organizations and cooperatives which are regulated by other legal instruments, shall be governed by the provisions in this Code applicable to such entities The Government shall issue specific wage policies for application to State employees, members of the people's army and members of the people's security forces Article 241 Effectiveness in the case of locations employing less than ten employees Employers employing less than ten (10) employees must implement the provisions in this Code, but shall be subject to reduction and exemption of a number of criteria and procedures as stipulated in Government regulations Allens Arthur Robinson - Vietnam Laws Online Database on www.vietnamlaws.com 73 Article 242 Detailed regulations and guidelines on implementation The Government and other competent agencies shall provide detailed regulations and guidelines for implementation of articles and clauses in this Code This Code was passed by Legislature XIII of the National Assembly of the Socialist Republic of Viet Nam in its 3rd session on 18 June 2012 Chairman of the National Assembly NGUYEN SINH HUNG Allens Arthur Robinson - Vietnam Laws Online Database on www.vietnamlaws.com 74 ... 52 Vietnamese Working Abroad, Labour for Foreign Organizations or Individuals in Vietnam, Foreign Employees Working in Vietnam 52 Article 168 Vietnamese working abroad, and Vietnamese. .. ASSEMBLY SOCIALIST REPUBLIC OF VIETNAM Independence - Freedom – Happiness Law 10 -2012- QH13 Ha Noi, 18 June 2012 LABOUR CODE Pursuant to the 1992 Constitution of the Socialist Republic of Vietnam as... 51-2001QH10; The National Assembly hereby promulgates the Labour Code CHAPTER General Provisions Article Governing scope The Labour Code regulates labour standards; the rights, obligations and responsibilities