Digital platform workers need to have their rights guaranteed
With about 2 million workers on digital platforms, many opinions affirm that there needs to be mechanisms and policies to ensure the rights of this group of workers.
Limited access to social security systems
According to the survey, 94% of basic workers consider this a main job (because they have working hours of over 4 hours/day). 80% of people work on platforms for 1 year or more. 78% do not have social insurance (mandatory and voluntary). 33% of people do not know that if they participate in voluntary social insurance contributions, they will be supported by the State, at least 264,000 VND.
Some characteristics of digital platform labor are flexible work, being able to work for multiple platforms simultaneously; Fluctuating income; Relatively high level of autonomy; Highly dependent on digital platforms; Limited access to traditional social security systems.
The issue that many people are interested in today is the legal status of foundational labor; what mechanisms help workers dialogue with the foundation about unit prices, deduction levels, safety, complaint resolution and conditions for locking accounts? How can trade unions coordinate with social insurance agencies to advise, support registration, and monitor the rights of union members...
Strengthen participation in dialogue and negotiation
Labor relations expert, Dr. Do Quynh Chi shared about 2 models in India and China. In both of these countries, technology drivers are not recognized as workers - meaning they do not enjoy the same rights as traditional workers but they are guaranteed certain rights. For example, in China, algorithms do not allow affecting the salary and working hours of this labor group...
At the seminar "Legal Position and Employment for Digital Platform Workers in Vietnam" organized by the Vietnam General Confederation of Labour, Mr. Le Dinh Quang - former Deputy Head of the Labor Relations Department of the Vietnam General Confederation of Labour - pointed out 4 gaps for this labor group. First, lack of clear legal definition of digital labor. Second, lack of confirmation of responsibility of business owners. Third, lack of State data. Fourth, lack of models to ensure social security and benefits for this group. From that reality, Mr. Quang proposed to overcome it by having a chapter on digital platform labor in the revised Labor Code, which needs to have content on ensuring social security in a flexible way and strengthening protection mechanisms.
Mr. Quang emphasized that in this chapter, there needs to be content on unity between state management agencies as well as strengthening the establishment of Trade Union organizations...
Many other opinions at the seminar suggested that it is necessary to identify this as a worker with labor relations and it is necessary to amend the Labor Law so that they are guaranteed social security as well as transparency of the algorithms.
According to Standing Vice President of the Vietnam General Confederation of Labour Ngo Duy Hieu, since 2020, the Vietnam General Confederation of Labour has had a research topic on digital-based labor in Vietnam, but the most necessary thing now is the responsibility of technology businesses and the concern of state management.
In the near future, the VGCL will continue to research and propose policies to ensure the rights of digital-based workers; focusing on strengthening participation in negotiation and dialogue.
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