U.S. pushes Vietnam on union rights, Xinjiang forced labor

Envoy acknowledges issues in America, too, where employers are said to resist unions

Vietnam promised under the CPTPP trade deal that the Communist Party would surrender its monopoly on labor unions, which would mark a rare relaxation of controls. (Photo by Lien Hoang)

LIEN HOANG, Nikkei staff writer

January 30, 2023 14:52 JST

HO CHI MINH CITY -- The U.S. is urging Vietnam to strengthen workers' rights by following through on a landmark law permitting trade unions outside the control of the Communist Party.

Hanoi agreed to give up its monopoly on labor unions to join what was then the Trans-Pacific Partnership trade deal. The U.S. secured this pledge from Vietnam, but pulled out of the deal itself before it took effect.