MOLISA weighs in on push to slash weekly work hours to less than 48

The Ministry of Labour, Invalids and Social Affairs (MOLISA) has reported to the Government regarding proposals from the Vietnam General Confederation of Labour focusing on reducing working hours.

The Confederation cited Resolution 101/2019/QH14, urging the Government to study reducing weekly working hours to below 48 hours and report to the National Assembly.

It recommended MOLISA coordinate with other ministries to implement the resolution promptly, aiming to ensure fairness between the public sector (40 hours/ week) and business sector (48 hours/week) working hours, and to allow workers to rest and take care of their families.

In response, MOLISA acknowledged the significant socio-economic impact of reducing normal working hours to below 48 hours per week. It promised to conduct thorough studies to ensure the feasibility of such policy changes during the process of amending and supplementing the Labour Code.

Currently, the Labour Code 2019 stipulates that normal working hours should not exceed eight hours per day and 48 hours per week. Employers have the right to determine daily or weekly working hours but must inform workers. Weekly

working hours should not exceed ten hours per day or 48 hours per week.

The State encourages a 40-hour workweek for workers and emphasises the responsibility of employers to ensure workers' safety and limit exposure to hazards according to national technical standards and relevant laws.

The proposal to reduce working hours has been deliberated by various organisations and experts during the drafting of the Labour Code 2019. It was also part of the recommendations put forward by workers at the 13th Congress of the Vietnam General Confederation of Labour last December.