Korean investors should address their Vietnamese employees as “our fellow citizen” and provide a safe and healthy working environment for them, said Chairman of KISA Hong-Ji Rhee

On the occasion of International Conference on Occupational Safety and Health and Environment being held in Dong Nai, the Dong Nai Newspaper’s Phuong Lieu interviewed Chairman of Korea Industrial Safety Association (KISA) Mr. Hong-Ji Rhee.

Mr. Rhee-Hong-Ji.

To date, Vietnam has drawn 823 ROK invested projects, worth US$ 4.7 billion. Especially, ROK is the 3^rd largest investor in Dong Nai with 110 projects totaling US$ 1.13 billion. As the Chairman of KISA, can you tell about relations between your organization and Korean businesses in Vietnam , particularly in Dong Nai?

Vietnam ’s economy hit a record-high growth rate since 1992 year-on-year. Accordingly, Vietnam emerges as a new developing potential market in the ASEAN region. Foreign investors thought that Vietnam had a very bright future and was a very promising country for them. Most of them were convinced by the Vietnamese cheap labor that was more skillful than in other countries in the ASEAN region. Korean businesses come increasingly to invest and do business in Vietnam . They invested here in different economic sectors such as heavy industry, key industries including electronics, auto manufacturing, textile and garment…. Our organization plays an important role in protecting the safety and health care workers. We coordinated with Vietnam National Institute of Labor Protection (NILP) and Federations of Labor in Ho Chi Minh city, Binh Duong and Dong Nai provinces to propagandize and encourage Vietnamese and Korean employees working for enterprises at both of countries in order to increase their awareness of health, safety and environment in various workplaces. Besides, we together with related organizations in Vietnam implemented promotion activities to ensure a safe and sound working environment at workplaces.

What is your assessment of deploying the occupational health and safety programme? How do you carry out the programme in the next time?

Recently, Vietnamese economy has recorded rapid growth that enables it to absorb a great numbers of foreign direct investment from around the world including Korean investors. I see that Vietnamese workers are diligent, skillful. In addition, they always abide by the country’s labor laws and regulations. Initially, we have obtained effective results through cooperation between NILP and KISA. Both of parties are going to exchange on safety issues in industrial systems relating to train occupational heath and safety technologists. We will promote further the exchange of information and technical documents relating to industrial safety programme. At the same time, we will make efforts to promote education for Vietnamese employees and Korean businesses at both of countries in accident prevention measures in workplaces.

`Labor Exchange Agreement has been signed between ROK and Vietnam since February 2004. What benefits do employees get through mutual agreement?

ROK invested in many countries around the world. At the same time, the country also attracted numerous employees worldwide including 20,000 Vietnamese people to work for Korean companies. The bilateral agreement between ROK and Vietnam benefits to employees at both of countries.This makes sure we achieve stable bilateral cooperation in labor exchange and industrial safety training programme.

What is your assessment of the relations between Korean employers and Vietnamese workers in Vietnam ?

2 years ago, I paid a visit to Korean companies operating in HCM city, Binh Duong province and other localities across the country. Most of Korean businesses told that they enjoyed a favorable investment environment and established a good relationship with Vietnamese workers. Besides, local governments offer good conditions for Korean investors to facilitate their businesses.

Presently, record level of ROK investment poured into Vietnam but many companies donot pay enough attention to industrial safety and environmental protection. What will KISA advise Korean businesses operating in Vietnam through this conference?

I want to advise Korean investors doing business in Vietnam that they should address their Vietnamese employees as “our fellow citizen” and provide a safe and healthy working environment for them. I also expect full cooperation from Vietnamese employees in foreign companies including Korean companies and create an atmosphere where foreign investors enjoy a good relationship with their workers. In the next time, more ROK investment will be poured into Vietnam . This will not only benefit Korean investors but also create more jobs for Vietnam labor force if we actively promote cooperation on the basis of mutual benefit to aim at developing Vietnam ’s economy. If Korean investors consider the damages either to property or people caused by unsafe working condition, they will recognize to invest in industrial safety that enables them to increase their competitiveness in the world markets.

Phuong Lieu