Law No. 50/2024/QH15 of the National Assembly dated November 27, 2024, on Trade Unions: Expanding Membership Eligibility to Foreign Workers
The new Law, consisting of 6 Chapters and 37 Articles, stipulates the functions, tasks, rights, and responsibilities of the Vietnam Trade Union; workers’ rights to establish, join, and participate in trade union activities; the admission of workers’ organizations at enterprises into the Vietnam Trade Union; the rights and responsibilities of trade union members; the responsibilities of the State, agencies, organizations, units, enterprises, and employers towards the Trade Union; ensuring the operation of the Trade Union; resolving disputes and addressing violations of the law on trade unions.
This law introduces a significant amendment by expanding the right to join trade unions to foreign workers. According to Clause 2, Article 5, foreign nationals working in Vietnam under labor contracts with a minimum term of 12 months are eligible to join and participate in activities of grassroots trade unions.
Regarding trade union funding, the Law maintains the contribution rate of 2% of the wage fund, which serves as the basis for compulsory social insurance contributions for workers (Article 29).
The Law will officially take effect on July 1, 2025, replacing the Law on Trade Unions No. 12/2012/QH13 issued on June 20, 2012.
