Workshop on ‘Sustainable Sourcing and Ethical Recruitment for Business in Viet Nam for Improved

Market Opportunities’

Background

Businesses can exercise significant positive influence in preventing exploitation and improving working
conditions within their supply chains and are increasingly recognized as having social and legal obligations
to do so. The reporting requirements under the UK Modern Slavery Act, the California Transparency in
Supply Chains Act, and the French and Dutch Due Diligence Laws have spurred companies to identify key
geographic and sectoral risk factors, as well as understanding how migration-related factors can also increase
risk.
The Government of Viet Nam has significantly invested in transport links and the attraction of foreign direct
investment, with a focus on export-processing and factory-based production. The Vietnamese economy is
one of the fastest growing economies in the region and has led to intensified internal labour labour migration
flows due to increased employment opportunities. The expansion of transnational production network of
multinational companies has also increased the competition for entering global supply chains for Vietnamese
companies.
In light of the recent legislative developments, global due diligence trends and reporting requirements, as
well as procurement and contracting requirements of trade agreements, it is critically important to invest in
raising awareness of responsible sourcing policies among their companies and suppliers in Vietnam, ensuring
that businesses not only have a better understanding of contractual and non-contractual requirements of
multinational companies, but are also aware of the business case for the protection of labour rights, improved
incomes, and gender diversity.
Socially responsible labour practices will not only improve the reputation of businesses, but also enhance
business competitiveness and create better job opportunities. Considering strong media coverage of labour
issues, as well as legal requirements by governments und multinationals, proactive businesses seeking
compliance with labour laws and international labour standards are likely to enjoy a comparative advantage
and be favored by international buyers, which will create favourable conditions for them to enter global
supply chains. As IOM, we recognize ethical supply chain and labour sourcing practices not only as a way
for creating a momentum for increased investment, but also a pathway to a sustainable national
competitiveness and societal growth.
To further these efforts, the British Embassy jointly with the International Organization for Migration (IOM),
with support of the Swedish Embassy and the Vietnam Chamber of Commerce and Industry (VCCI), is co-
organizing a one-day workshop on ‘Sustainable Sourcing and Ethical Recruitment for Business in Viet
Nam for Improved Market Opportunities, to help local businesses develop strategies on how to meet
multinational companies’ due diligence requirements and sharpen competitive edges to access global
markets.
 Time and Venue
Date : 20 March 2018
Time : 9.00 – 17.00
Venue : Sheraton Hotel Saigon

Agenda

8:30 9:00 Registration & Tea/Coffee

9:00 9:15 Welcome and Introductions H.E. Giles Lever, British Ambassador to Viet Nam

H.E. Pereric Högberg, Ambassador of Sweden to Viet Nam

VCCI (TBC)
9:15 9:30 Social sustainability and Electronics Business Coalition Vietnam TBC (15 min)
responsible labour as key factors
for increasing market access
opportunities: a contribution to
the development of Vietnam’s
economy
9:30 10:00 Tea/ Coffee Break
&
Group Picture
10:00 11:30 The role of the private sector in Trade, emerging legislation and the regulatory environment -
combating modern slavery: Tim Galvin, British Embassy Viet Nam (10 min)
Panel Discussion on challenges
and opportunities Sustainable Supply Chain Management: a case study-
Alexander Christopher Falter, General Director of ECCO
shoes Vietnam (10 min)

Challenges and business opportunities: company testimonials:

(30 min)

Corporate Responsibility in Eliminating Slavery and

Trafficking (CREST): the importance of private sector
partnerships – IOM (10 min)

Q&A (30min)

11:30 12:00 Morning Wrap-Up H.E. Giles Lever, British Ambassador to Viet Nam

H.E. Pereric Högberg, Ambassador of Sweden to Viet Nam

VCCI

David Knight, Chief of Mission Viet Nam and Regional

Coordinator for Viet Nam, Cambodia and Lao PDR, IOM
12:00 13:30 Lunch
13:30-16:30 During registration, when you take your badge you will be assigned to a room for the afternoon. In
Afternoon each room, the 2 workshops will be carried out one after the other – see order per room. The
workshops objective of these workshops is to enable you to get practical takeaways to implement in your
respective companies.
1hour workshop
with 15 min In room X, workshops order: A, B
break In room Y, workshops order: B, A

Workshop A Workshop B
Impact of the new Modern Slavery Act and Ethical Supply Chain Management
practical modern slavery prevention

Practical advice + best practices

Practical advice + best practices
Responsible recruitment and supplier engagement as
critical elements of social sustainability of supply chains
Legal requirements & how to approach it (reviewing
existing statements, criteria for a good statement;
implications for companies and for suppliers); Suggested speakers:

Due Diligence and Remediation – key considerations IOM and IKEA (TBC)

Suggested Speakers:
Grant Thornton and British Business Group Vietnam
(TBC)

16:30 17:00 Closing Remarks Workshop Facilitators/Speakers