Viet Nam and EFTA Conclude FTA Negotiations

News Viet Nam and EFTA Conclude FTA Negotiations after Nearly 14 Years: Implications for Businesses Exporting to These Markets? On 2 July 2026, Viet Nam and the European Free Trade Association (EFTA) — Iceland, Liechtenstein, Norway and Switzerland — officially announced the conclusion of negotiations on a comprehensive Free Trade Agreement, opening a new gateway…

Base Salary Increase from 01/07/2026: What Businesses Need to Know

From 1 July 2026, Decree No. 161/2026/NĐ-CP, which adjusts the base salary applicable to cadres, civil servants, public employees and the armed forces, officially takes effect. Although it does not apply directly to the private sector, the new base salary will trigger important changes to social insurance (SI) contribution and benefit levels that private-sector businesses and employees need to update in order to remain compliant.

ILO ITC E-learning course on Forced Labour

In the context of increasing pressure on global supply chains regarding transparency and social responsibility, understanding Forced Labour has become a mandatory requirement for export-oriented companies.
The International Training Centre of the ILO (ILO ITC) offers a free e-learning course on Forced Labour. This is a self-paced online course, designed to help participants gain in-depth knowledge and apply it in business operations and supply chains.

CSDDD Implementation: Beyond Auditing Toward Capacity Building and Sustainable Supply Chains

The adoption of the EU Corporate Sustainability Due Diligence Directive (CSDDD) marks a significant regulatory shift from voluntary commitments to legally binding obligations for companies to identify, prevent, mitigate, and remediate adverse human rights and environmental impacts across their operations and value chains.

EU Bans Destruction of Unsold Clothes and Shoes: A Major Step for the Environment and the Circular Economy

On February 9, 2026, the European Commission officially adopted new rules under the Ecodesign for Sustainable Products Regulation (ESPR) aimed at preventing the destruction of unsold essential goods, particularly clothing, accessories, and footwear — one of the significant sources of resource waste and greenhouse gas emissions across the Union.

A guide to key terms related to fundamental principles and rights at work, trade and supply chains

This publication offers a practical, plain-language guide to the essential concepts that shape today’s world of work. It explains the fundamental principles and rights at work, key terms commonly used in trade agreements and labour governance, as well as the labour dimensions of global supply chains.

Safety management of fork-lifts

The textile and footwear industries are labor-intensive sectors, where factory spaces are often cramped, while the need for lifting and transporting goods by forklift (such as fabric rolls, finished-goods pallets, and raw and auxiliary materials) occurs continuously. For this reason, forklifts become one of the major sources of serious occupational accident risks if they are not managed and controlled with strict safety measures.

Decree No. 337 on Electronic Labor Contracts

Government Decree No. 337/2025/ND-CP, issued on 24 December 2025, is an important legal document detailing regulations on electronic labor contracts and officially takes effect from 01 January 2026. The Decree was promulgated to operationalize provisions of the Labor Code and the Law on Electronic Transactions, meeting the requirements of digital transformation in the labor and employment sector.

Course: Business and Decent Work – Introducing the MNE Declaration and the Role of Business in Promoting Decent Work

The “Business and Decent Work” course is a free, self-guided E-learning module developed by the International Training Centre of the International Labour Organization (ITCILO). It aims to provide foundational knowledge of the ILO Tripartite Declaration of Principles concerning Multinational Enterprises and Social Policy (MNE Declaration) and to explore the relationship between business operations and decent work.

Decree No. 293/2025/NĐ-CP: Update on Regional Minimum Wages for 2026

On November 10, 2025, the Government issued Decree No. 293/2025/NĐ-CP stipulating the monthly minimum wage and hourly minimum wage for employees working under labor contracts. This Decree replaces Decree No. 74/2024/NĐ-CP and takes effect from January 1, 2026. Below are the key updates that businesses should note. 1. Regional Minimum Wages for 2026 (Average Increase…