Vietnam trade agreement poses no labour rights worries for FESI
26/06/2019
At its most recent meeting, the European Council, the body that comprises the heads of state or government of the EU member states, gave the proposed free trade agreement the green light. FESI said it hoped the newly elected European Parliament would quickly begin the ratification process for the deal.
This agreement will eliminate more than 99% of the customs duties currently imposed on goods traded between the two parties, but more than three years have passed already since negotiations between the European Union and Vietnam concluded.
“I am glad that the Council finally gave its consent to the signature of this agreement,” commented FESI president, Frank Dassler. “Vietnam has always been a strong partner for our industry and I’m sure this agreement will bring great benefits for European and Vietnamese companies, workers and consumers.”
The organisation’s general secretary, Jérôme Pero, said the sporting goods industry is “fully aware” of concerns some stakeholders have about labour rights and working conditions in Vietnam. He explained: “Over the last few years, FESI members have engaged with various factory partners, independent organisations, international programmes and partnerships in order to address these challenges and make sure that the Vietnamese workers benefit from this agreement.”
He added that Vietnam was working with the International Labour Organisation to revise its labour code and said this was “a very good signal of positive developments to come”.
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