As the world’s second-largest coffee exporter, Viet Nam has made notable advancements in agricultural practices, boasting other key agricultural products such as rice, pepper, and fruit trees. Nevertheless, while improvements have been made, there remain challenges and room for further progress in ensuring farm worker’s safety and preventing child labour.
To provide support in addressing these issues, the International Labour Organization (ILO)’s Vision Zero Fund and ENHANCE projects in Viet Nam collaborated with the Dak Nong Province Cooperative Alliance to conduct a training course during 30 – 31 October 2024, in Gia Nghia, Dak Nong province. This course aimed to equip provincial cooperative officers and coffee cooperative owners with OSH knowledge and tools to improve workplace safety and health using the ILO’s WIND methodology. Additionally, the training included basic concepts, key standards, and laws on child labour, along with measures to prevent it. The training also welcomed participants from other sub-agriculture sectors, including rice, pepper, and fruits.
29 participants, among whom half were women, including representatives from the Central Highlands provinces of Dak Lak, Dak Nong, Lam Dong, Gia Lai, and Kon Tum, engaged in practical sessions and a field trip to evaluate OSH practices on coffee farms and processing sites. Using an OSH Action Checklist, they identified risks and potential improvements, with guidance from an ILO-trained OSH trainer. “This practical approach is easy to understand, easy to implement, and cost-effective,” said Vu Thi Huong, Head of the Green Highlands Service Cooperative, highlighting the WIND methodology’s accessibility.
During the training, participants also learned about OSH concepts and principles that can help them minimize risks, reduce costs, and boost productivity. Concluding the two days, participants committed to implementing the improvements in their cooperatives, starting with simple changes such organizing work tools and progressing to long-term enhancements such as repairing roads to facilitate agricultural product transportation.
Nguyen Van Tien, Deputy Head of Policy and Propaganda Department, Dak Nong Province Cooperative Alliance, remarked, “The Cooperative Alliance holds ILO’s training courses in high regard for their reputation and quality. The professionalism of the course can be seen through in its well-structured programme, knowledgeable lecturers, and carefully crafted training materials.”
As Viet Nam continues to excel in coffee and agricultural production and exports, ensuring the safety and health of all workers and child labour free in the production chain becomes increasingly crucial, especially in the face of challenges like climate change. By striving towards a world of work free from serious injuries and fatalities, the ILO, through its technical support, stands with Viet Nam on its journey towards sustainable development and decent work for all.
