Children's rights in business are not entirely unfamiliar to the business community in Vietnam, as this concept has been present in the country for over a decade. However, at that time, the number of businesses aware of and concerned about it was not significant, and their perspective on children's rights in business was limited to the purely material aspect. In the current period, after a deep integration process with the world and the impact of foreign businesses, the Vietnamese business community has undergone significant changes in its views and awareness of children's rights in business activities. In practice, it has been demonstrated that businesses recognizing the importance and applying principles regarding children's rights in their business activities have achieved very positive results. This success extends beyond financial gains, contributing to enhancing the reputation and competitive capabilities of these businesses. Some notable examples include:
Northern Region
Sao Mai Company is a leading business in the northern region with five factories operating in Hai Phong, Hai Duong, Nam Dinh, and over 20 joint-stock factories, providing employment for 6,000 workers. The company is highly praised for its long-term sustainable development orientation, always making efforts to ensure the well-being not only of the workers but also of their children. In addition to creating thousands of jobs for the local residents with incomes higher than the average in Hai Phong, the company has built a system of daycare centers for the children of its workers. To reassure the workers during production, the company has also established support systems for the workers' children, facilitating their education and participation in age-appropriate training programs. Furthermore, the company allocates gifts to encourage students with good academic achievements on occasions such as the Mid-Autumn Festival and International Children's Day. With these efforts, the company has been visited and congratulated by the President of Vietnam as an exemplary business in the city of Hai Phong.
Not only private enterprises but even state-owned enterprises are not standing outside the awareness shift regarding children's rights, and the Joint Stock Company 22 is an example. Joint Stock Company 22 is a state-owned enterprise with the mission of producing and trading in various products, including food, agricultural products, and metal, employing hundreds of workers. Recognizing the importance of taking care of the material and mental well-being of its workers as one of the focal points, which needs to be carried out regularly, in recent years, Joint Stock Company 22 has consistently focused on establishing policies and regulations for its workers and their families. Every year, the company organizes regular health check-ups, provides supplements for employees, and ensures hazardous and dangerous allowance regimes for employees with a total budget of over 300 million VND (in 2022). Officials and workers are equipped with appropriate personal protective equipment according to their respective industries, issued health insurance cards, and receive benefits according to legal regulations. The company also provides assistance for difficulties, visits employees who are ill. For the children of employees, the company has organized various activities such as vacations, field trips, and gift-giving on International Children's Day (June 1) and the Mid-Autumn Festival. Additionally, it rewards outstanding students and supports impoverished students facing difficulties.
Southern Region
Pou Chen Vietnam Company (Dong Nai) is one of the largest companies with a high number of workers in Dong Nai as well as in the southern region. Therefore, paying attention to the welfare of employees and their children is a top priority to retain the workforce in the long term. According to surveys, caring for the material and mental well-being of the children of employees is a crucial factor for them to decide to continue their long-term commitment to the company. This helps the company maintain a stable workforce both before and after the Covid-19 pandemic. Pou Chen Company has built daycare centers for the children of employees since 2008, accommodating around 700 children. This initiative has helped the company save approximately 947,000 USD annually. Additionally, the company provides direct financial support of 150,000 VND/month to employees with children under 6 years old, regardless of gender, benefiting over 20,500 children. Furthermore, the company organizes weekly skill enhancement classes, supplementary cultural, language, and computer courses for the children of employees to participate in and improve their soft skills.
...And many more exemplary businesses are leading the way in efforts to promote children's rights in their business activities. It is noteworthy that these pioneering businesses are emerging in various sectors, industries, and regions, demonstrating a strong shift within the business community to adapt to new economic models and meet the current global trend of sustainable development. Alongside the policies enacted by the Party and the State to support children, businesses have also recognized their crucial role in nurturing and contributing to a brighter future for the younger generation in Vietnam.