The event served as a chance for delegates to share Vietnamese and international experiences, and give recommendations and proposals for the prevention of child labor.

Speaking at the opening, Deputy Minister of MoLISA Nguyen Thi Ha affirmed that Vietnam has made great efforts in solving child labor issues. Vietnam is the first country in Asia and the second one in the world to ratify the United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child.

Through the legal system, social support policies, programs and projects as well as international integration activities have shown Vietnam's commitment on child labor, direction to prevent and reduce the issue. Ms Nguyen Thi Ha speaking at the event

According to a survey by the MoLISA’s Institute of Labour, Science, and Social Affairs across three cities and provinces, more than 7 percent of households have members aged from 5 to 17 engaging in economic activities. Nearly 2 percent of households have a member in this age group involving in heavy, toxic, and dangerous jobs.

Dang Hoa Nam, Head of the Department of Child Care and Protection at the Ministry of Labor, Invalids and Social Affairs, urged regular involvement and close coordination of social partners, state agencies, businesses, trade unions, social organizations, families, and communities to protect children from hard, hazardous, and dangerous labor.

Groups of children at risk and illegal child laborers will be assisted to integrate into the community and provided with opportunities for development. The project focuses on prevention. It also set specific targets relating to awareness, capability, and responsibilities of administrations at all levels, sectors, and organizations who are related to employers, communities, and children.

He said the project on minimizing and eliminating child labor from 2016 to 2020 spells out responsibilities of involved parties.

Meanwhile, ILO Vietnam Director Chang-Hee Lee said that Vietnam has approved the convention on child labour and taken steps towards improving the situation. However, he noted that a large number of children are working in household businesses and the unofficial sector.

Chang-Hee Lee said the ILO wishes to promote partnership with businesses to minimize child labor in Vietnam and help the country address challenges in terms of economics, demography, technology,  the environment and fundamental rights in the workplace.