Decent Work and Adaptation to Climate Change
Presentation Workshop on Ensuring Decent Work for Workers in the Mekong Delta to Adapt to Climate Change
Mr Michael Siegner - HSF Vietnam resident representative and Mr Bui Ton Hien - ILSSA Director chaired the Workshop
HSF
Given the fact that Vietnam and especially its Mekong Delta region are radically affected by climate change which has complex effects on the employment of local people, the concept “decent work” as a tool for climate change adaptation and sustainable development should be given careful attention. Against this background, Hanns Seidel Foundation in Vietnam (HSF) has been supporting the Labour Science and Social Affairs (ILSSA) in conducting an empirical research on this topic.
The main purpose of this Presentation Workshop is to present key findings of their empirical research “Ensuring Decent Work for Labourers Affected by Drought and Saltwater Intrusion in the Mekong Delta to Adapt to Climate Change”. By providing a significant insight into employment vulnerability caused by climate change, especially saltwater intrusion and drought in the Mekong Delta, this study will be helpful for policy makers when formulating new policies to support people in the Mekong Delta of Vietnam. This is of great importance as the majority of people living there are particularly vulnerable to climate change due to their employment status as low-skilled workers without labour contracts in agriculture and aquaculture sectors. Furthermore, the study also highlights the need for skill improvement and decent work for local people, provides decent work indicators, and come up with several policy recommendations for ensuring decent work for people in the region in coming years.
Prof. Dr. Le Anh Tuan, Deputy Director of DRAGON Institute, Can Tho University made some comments on research results
HSF
The results presented during the Presentation Workshop is the outcome of not only extensive stakeholder and community consultations within the framework of the research carried out from April to October this year, but also of expert consultations during the consultation workshop that took place on 2nd October in Ca-Mau Province. The finalised report containing the inputs collected within the framework of this Presentation Workshop will soon be published and presented to relevant policy makers to inform future policy responses.