On November 27th, 2024, the National Assembly passed the Trade Union Law No. 50/2024/QH15, replacing the Trade Union Law 2012, with several notable points as follows:
Subjects of application: This law applies to trade unions at all levels, state agencies, political organizations, socio-political organizations, socio-political-professional organizations, socio-professional organizations, units, enterprises, and other organizations employing workers according to the regulations of law on labor, as well as foreign agencies, organizations, and international organizations operating in the territory of Vietnam (collectively referred to as agencies, organizations, units, or enterprises); labor organizations at enterprises, trade union members, employees and other organizations and individuals related to trade union organization and activities.
The rights to establish, join, and operate trade unions are regulated as follows:
– Vietnamese workers have the right to establish, join, and operate trade unions.
– Foreign workers employed in Vietnam under labor contracts with a term of 12 months or more are allowed to join and operate trade unions at grassroots trade unions.
The establishment, joining, and operation of trade unions must comply with the regulations of the Charter of the Vietnam Trade Union, the Trade Union Law 2024, and other relevant legal regulations.
Therefore, the Trade Union Law 2024 has added regulations allowing foreign workers employed in Vietnam under labor contracts with a term of 12 months or more to join and operate trade unions at grassroots trade unions.
Dossier for joining the Vietnam Trade Union:
– Written request to join the Vietnam Trade Union;
– Copies of documents demonstrating the legality of the employee organization at the enterprise;
– Document showing the decision of the employee organization at the enterprise to join the Vietnam Trade Union; the procedures for approving the decision to join the Vietnam Trade Union must comply with the regulations of law on labor;
– List with signatures of members voluntarily joining the Vietnam Trade Union;
– Documents or agreements according to the regulations of relevant laws for resolving the rights and obligations of the employee organization at the enterprise and its members related to the employee organization at the enterprise.
This Law takes effect from July 01st, 2025.
