ILO and Viet Nam's commerce chamber launch initiative to advance responsible business practices in electronics sector

• Facebook
• X
• Linkedin

HA NOI (ILO News) - The International Labour Organization (ILO) and the Viet Nam Chamber of Commerce and Industry (VCCI) today officially launched the Compliance Edge Lab 2026-27, a new industry programme designed to help electronics suppliers in Viet Nam move beyond conventional regulatory compliance towards responsible business conduct, advancing decent work and enterprise competitiveness.

Viet Nam's electronics industry is one of the country's most dynamic economic engines. The sector employs over 1.5 million workers, 60 per cent of whom are women. In 2025, it generated a record US$165 billion in exports. As the sector deepens its integration into global supply chains governed by increasingly rigorous due diligence and sustainability standards, the imperative for responsible labour and business practices has never been greater.

The Compliance Edge Lab is built on the premise that responsible business conduct is a strategic advantage for enterprises. Drawing on lessons learned from the ILO's earlier Advisory Programme for Electronics Supply Chain in Viet Nam 2022-24, the Lab is designed as a shared platform, enabling participating factories to learn from one another and from industry experts, while engaging with policymakers and other stakeholders in shaping sector-wide solutions.

The programme will enrol up to 50 electronics factories across Viet Nam, with activities running from June 2026 through October 2027. Participating enterprises span different tiers of the electronics supply chain and represent diverse geographies, with a higher allocation of places for factories located in the northern provinces.

"We expect that the Lab will serve as a shared platform for electronics suppliers, opening opportunities to foster responsible business practices across the sector, beyond participating enterprises. Thus, the ILO appreciates the partnership with VCCI and stakeholders in this programme. This initiative shows Viet Nam's strong commitment to advancing sustainable development in the electronics supply chain, while supporting improved working conditions for workers in a responsible and sustainable manner," said Sinwon Park, Director of ILO Country Office for Viet Nam

The Lab's programme is designed to be practical, factory-centred, and forward-looking. It combines five core components:

• Training credited programme: Needs-based on-site and standardized off-site training courses covering topics from workplace cooperation and supervisory skills to occupational safety and health, gender equality, and ESG reporting requirements.
• Industry seminars: One-day participatory events fostering peer-to-peer knowledge sharing on wage practices, risk assessment, fair labour practices, and more.
• Sectoral dialogues: Structured exchanges enabling enterprises to engage directly with policymakers, unions and associations to shape better regulations.
• Multi-stakeholder forums: High-level events bringing together buyers, researchers, policy makers and development partners to share insights on global trends and coordinate action for a more sustainable, resilient supply chain.
• The Electronics Connect, a quarterly newsletter keeping enterprises informed of regulatory updates, global industry trends, and responsible business conduct good practices throughout the programme.

In addition, factories will have the chance to benefit from tailored guidance on labour law compliance challenges specific to each enterprise.

Speaking of the benefits for enterprises throughout initiatives supporting electronics sector, Madame Tran Thi Lan Anh, Secretary General and Director of Bureau for Employers' Activities (VCCI) said : "Enterprises participating in APEV 2022-24 reported clear improvements in their compliance practices and provided very positive feedback on the programme's relevance to their work. As a next step, The Compliance Edge Lab will support enterprises in strengthening responsible business conduct practices, through learning directly from industry peers, and gradually integrating international standards into their daily operations and long-term strategies. In the context of increasingly stringent requirements from global supply chains, these efforts will not only help enterprises enhance compliance, but also improve their competitiveness, resilience, and sustainable growth."

Electronics suppliers operating in Viet Nam who are interested in joining The Compliance Edge Lab are invited to register via this online registration form by 9 June 2026. The registration process is open to factories nationwide; selection will be based on the level of need for assistance and the enterprise's commitment to completing Lab activities. Some preference will be given to previous participants of ILO/VCCI initiatives.