[14 January 2019] — Economica Vietnam was contracted by the International Labor Organization to implement the final evaluation of the New Industrial Relations Framework – EU Project (NIRF – EU). In recent years, Vietnam has committed to making continued and sustained efforts towards ratifying, to the extent it has not yet done so, fundamental Conventions of the ILO. To date, Vietnam has ratified five of these Conventions, with three outstanding, namely the Freedom of Association and Protection of the Right to Organise Convention, 1948 (No.87); Right to Organise and Collective Bargaining Convention, 1949 (No.98) and Abolition of Forced Labour Convention, 1957 (No.105).

The Project “Promoting Fundamental Conventions of the ILO toward ratification of Conventions 87, 98, 105, and actions to eliminate discrimination and forced labour in Vietnam (NIRF EU project)” has been implemented with funding by the European Union.  The project was designed as part of the "New Industrial Relations Framework / Fundamental Principles and Rights at Work Programme." – a multi-donor programme, comprises a number of projects.

The overall objective of the project to contribute to sustainable and inclusive economic growth of Vietnam by enhancing the existing legislative framework through the better application and implementation of International Labour Standards consistent with the ILO Declaration on Fundamental Principles and Rights at Work and its Follow up (1998).

As the project is nearing its end, Economica Vietnam has been contracted by ILO to conduct the final project evaluation. The main purpose of the evaluation is to support accountability and facilitate learning within the ILO and key project implementing partners. The evaluation experts team of Economica Vietnam implemented the evaluation between November 2018- January 2019. The evaluation complied with evaluation norms, standards and follow ethical safeguards, as specified in the ILO’s evaluation procedures and with requirements of the EU.

The evaluation findings and recommendations will also be used as basis for design and management for results of future ILO cooperation activities in Vietnam.