Vietnamese women have made significant contributions to the process of national construction and development as they have joined hands with men to take part in every aspect of life. The United Nations said that Vietnam can take pride in its achievements in ensuring gender equality. Currently, Vietnamese women play a key role in the country’s social workforce. They account for more than 52 percent of 40 million workers in total with the female proportion making up 70 percent of the garment and textile industry, 60 percent of the food processing sector, 60 percent of the healthcare sector and 70 percent of the education sector.

Women account for 53 percent of the workforce in the agricultural sector and 45 percent in the industrial sector.

Despite being a core force, which generates the majority of material property for society, Vietnamese women’s health is becoming an urgent issue that needs to be addressed.

Rural women still work hard, 12-14 hours a day in the northern region, the central northern region and mountainous areas. Lonely and poor women even work 16 hours a day. In particular, rural women often have to spend six hours a day on housework, 12 times more than most men. Due to overworking, many women have become exhausted, tired, depressed, resulting in serious impacts on their health and even their lives.

The Vietnam Institute of Social Sciences recently conducted a survey on working conditions of female workers in 84 firms. Among 504 respondents, 83.4 percent said they have to work 10-15 extra hours a week and 14 percent said they usually work 10 hours per shift. Low income is the main reason for female workers to work overtime and 69 percent of respondents said they often work under high pressure in 10-12 hour shift.

Labour protection of female workers during prolonged working time is not given due attention. It is estimated that just 41.7 percent of businesses recruit staff in charge of labour insurance. In consequence, nearly half of female workers do not attend regular training courses on labour protection and just one third of them are aware of the need for labour hygiene and safety. Worse still, nearly 70 percent of female workers have daily contact with poisonous substances, while the number of healthcare staff in offices is not sufficient. Around 44 percent of firms do not hold regular medical examinations for employees.

Though Vietnam has issued policies and legal documents to protect the rights of labourers, the documents have not well been property implemented.

To protect the health and working conditions for female workers, the Party and State, particularly functional agencies such as health organizations, trade unions and insurance companies should adopt suitable policies. In addition, the State should further enhance the efficiency of the Labour Code, upgrade technical facilities in offices and factories to minimize hazards for labourers, and build incentives for labourers, particularly female labourers, working in poisonous working environments.