Vietnam general confederation of labour

national institute of labour protection

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Though facing many difficulties, Vietnam has had good conditions and Made much effort to develop its information technology. The Vietnamese Government has continually issued legal documents to Form a development strategy for the country's information technology. The Documents include resolutions 173/CP, 245/CP and 49/CP issued in 1975, 1976 and 1993 respectively. A National Steering Committee for Information Technology (NSCIT) was also set up in 1995 and put under the direct Authority of the Prime Minister Minister to help him instruct the implemenlation of the master plan to develop the country's information technology.

One of the most important duties of the NSCIT is to coordinate with Steering committees at localities and branches to make information Technology development plans there, including the whole system of the Vietnamese Trade Union. In terms of labour protection, State management bodies, trade unions as

Well as training and research organisations have given much attempt in Research and application practices to develop the information technology and Increase the capability of labour protection in information management. This has Accelerated the development of labour protection activities lo prevent and

Limit occupational accidents and diseases, as well as protect Vietnamese laborers' health and lives.Such efforts, in combination with the close and efficient help from the International Labour. Organisation (ILO), have resulted in a signing ceremony

at the headquarters of the National Institute of labour Protection (NILP) on February 12, 1996, in which the Ministry of Labour, War Invalids and Social Affairs (MOLISA), the Ministry of Health (MOH) and the Vietnam General Confederation of Iabour (VGCL) signed an agreement on the acting Coordination and organization of the three key terminal bodies of the National Information Network for Occupational Safety and Health (NINOSH). Also in The ceremony, the structure of the network was approved. The network's first Meeting was then organized by the joint-ministries in early December 1997 in Hanoi, which officially declared the establishment of the NINOSH and Approved the Regulation on the Network Organisation and Operation.

In order to implement activities of the NINOSH, with assistances of the ILO, the NILP in early 1998 cooperated with the Institute of Information Technology to set up the Electronic Information Store for Occupational Safety and Health in the Etna network. The store is used as a base for the Management and exchange of OSH information within the country, the Asia- Pacific region and all over the world.

The compilation of this document is also an aspect of the cooperation of The NILP and the ILO aiming at the development of information technology In the labour protection field.

I. Overview on the information technology development Situation in Vietnam.

I.1. Government policies and plans:

Like many other countries, Vietnam has awarded the role of information Technology in supporting directly to State management renovation, increasing The efficiency of business and production practices as well as other socio-Economic activities. The more developed the society is, the more value of Utilization that information has, and also the more important role the Information technology takes. Thus, right after the anti-American war end and The reunification of the country, the Government Council then (the Government now) had promulgated resolutions 173/CP and 245/CP in 1975 And 1976 on increasing the application of mathematics and electronic Calculators in economic management. Particularly iii the country's economic Renewal situation and to satisfy the urgent needs of information technology Development, in August 1993, the Prime Minister signed Resolution No. 49/CP on information technology development in Vietnam during the period Of 1990s.

This important. resolution was made based on serious and thorough Researches of top experts of the Vietnamese information technology sector, With consultation to the experiences of other countries as well as relevant Domestic authorities.

The resolution had analyzed the actual state and concluded:

- Vietnam had still been a backward country in terms of information. It had not yet established proper and reliable information systems for an Efficiently. Exploitation and utilization purpose supporting the management of The State mechanism as well as other socio-economic activities.

- Telecommunications infrastructure had not satisfy domestic and International demands despite it had been significantly upgraded.

- There had been insufficient professional staffs working in the Information technology sector. Although informatics training had been Introduced popularly, in high level programs still existed shortcomings, with Regards to both quality and quantity.

- The implementation of research subjects on modern information Technology had just been in its initial stage.

- The information technology industry had not yet been actually formed On the basis of electronic, informatics, telecommunications and automation Industries.

However, the resolution continued that Vietnam had potential resources And favorable conditions to develop the information technology. 'These Included the intellectual potential of the whole nation, the country's solidly- Implemented economic renewal program and the open-door policy which Encourage the absorbability and application of new information technology Achievements.

Resolution No. 49/CP outlined targets [or the establishment and Development of Vietnam's information technology by 2000. They include the Establishment of a firm foundation of an infrastructure capable to meet basic Information requirements in State management and socio-economic activities. The information sector will be developed to be one of the country's keys Industries, helping Vietnam take a better position iii the region when the 21^st Century comes.

After the promulgation of Resolution No. 49/CP, in April 1995, the Prime Minister issued Decision No. 221/TTg which approved the master plan of the National Program on Information Technology by 2000. The National Steering Committee for Information Technology (NSCIT) was then organized [Allowing Decision No. 154/TTg dated March II, 1995 to implement the Masterplan. The NSCIT was put under the direct. Authority of the Prime Minister to help him instruct the implementation of Resolution No. 49/CP.

The information technology development master plan Is detailed as follows:

Is detailed as

- Information technology supporting State management: State-level Information technology projects like the State Administration Management System, the General Economic Information System. The information System Of Scientific, Technological, Natural Resources and Environment. Potentials, Etc. should be worked out and implemented soon.

- Information technology supporting socio-economic activities: projects On information systems of State management in sectors of banking and Finance, marketing pricing, imp- export, transport, communications, postal Services, power production, etc, should be worked out and implemented soon.

- Information technology supporting education and training activities: a National information technology project should be worked out and Implemented soon in the education and training sector in order to train Professional information experts and introduce informatics knowledge’s Popularly.

- Investment should be poured in the constitution of professional units,Which belong to diverse economic sectors, for information technology Research. Information technology research should also be promoted in Universities.

- Create bases for an information technology industry: investment. Should Be funneled in software production to satisfy domestic demands and export. Hardware manufacturing units should be constructed by using overseas Modern and state-of the-art technology transfer.

- Construct a telecommunications-telecommunications infrastructure: a national

Data communicatiom network should soon be set. Up in line with an "open System" which agrees with international standards and allows the installation Of application systems distributing in branches, localities and countries.

Based on the masterplan, the NSCIT will coordinate with information Technology steering committees of ministries, branches and localities to work Out information technology development plans for units. In the immediate Future, key projects should be focused on to create bases for succeeding steps. These projects aim at:

- Creating human resources for information technology development by Strengthening and expanding education and training activities in accordance With the Ministry of Education and Training (MOET) implementation plans of In formation technology projects;

- Step by step designing and setting up the national data communication Network;

- Setting up informaticalised information systems for the management of Administration, banking, financial, planning and statistic practices,

- Determining and working out policies relating lo tax, investment. Promotion, intellectual property right protection in order to promote the Development of information technology.

- Working out and determining common standards to create an open System for the development of information technology applications, including A unified set of standards for processing Vietnamese language in computers. Like many other countries, State management and instruction obviously Play the decisive role in developing information technology in Vietnam. The State management and instruction role demonstrates as follows:

- Determine main tactics and targets of information technology Development. Work out important plans and projects to implement the tactics And reach the targets.

- Study and promulgate policies, regimes to create a good social Environment and economic conditions to needed fur information technology Development.

- Directly invest in and instruct the implementation of State-level projects On information technology application. Conduct information technology Education and training, as well as scientific researches.

- Give out measures and instruct the implementation. Assist international Cooperation relation in the information technology sector.

Herein after are the main capital sources mobilized to develop information Technology:

- The non-refundable investment from the State budget is funneled Directly into information technology projects supporting State management, Security, national defense, education and training, information technology Scientific research.

- The capital the State invests to construct and develop information Technology infrastructure including informatics and telecommunications units, Technical and production enterprises; construct and put in use some national Information processing centers; connect national information systems with Regional and global ones and make them become a business.

- Capital invested by production, business and service units belonging to Different economic sectors. This self-investment is then accounted in selling Prices of products or services that businesses offer the entire society. This Capital source is taking a larger and larger share in the total capital invested in Information technology. The State will promulgate favorable policies arid Regimes in terms of tax applied to this source.

- Capital borrowed from foreign countries or built up by financial Assistance sources from domestic or overseas organisations.

I.2. The National Information and Data System:

Vietnam has so far set up a national information and data system covering Almost all economic branches, scientific and technological fields of central, City and province levels throughout the country. The system consists of:

- The National Scientific and Technological information and Data Center;

- 2 national specialized information centers, including the Information Center for Standard and Quality Control and the Information Center for Invention and Industrial Property

- 44 information organs put under the authority of branches;

- 61 information organs put under the authority of cities and provinces Departments of science, technology and environment;

- 260 information organs belonging to research institutes, scientific and Production centers;

- 2 national libraries;

- 61 general libraries of city and province level;

- More than 400 district-level libraries;

- More than 10U libraries in universities and colleges;

- More than 90 central and local storages.

THe number of" information staffs working in the system reaches nearly 6,000. In addition, several other information and data organs have recently, Been set up by consultative organisations and associations operating in Various sectors. This system of information and data organs has made up an Important. Information source for information technology development in Vietnam.

Lncomplete statistic figures showed that up to 1993, the entire system had Contained:

- 8.5 million books;

- 5,000 brands of magazines;

- 11 million intentional documents;

- 320,000 standards;

- 320,000 industrial catalogues;

- 3,500 report on Vietnamese geology;

- 5,000 reports on scientific research and theses;

- 4 million diagrams recorded in databases.

Based on these information sources, information and data organs have Produced the main following products and services:

- More than 250 periodic information publications;

- Compilation and publication of 250-300 analyzing recapitulation Documents per annum;

- On-line information services and on-address information provision;

- On the spot document services, on-command directory and copy Provision:

- Information propagandisation and dissemination through exhibitions, seminars, technical shows and mass media;

- Information consultation and provisions. During recent years, the application of informatic technology in Information activities have been promoted. Thus, the establishment of Databases, both in documents and data, have been developed significantly. More than 70 databases were set up and put in use during 1990-1993.

In addition, hundreds of databases stored in CD-ROMS have been put in Use. Some local and widespread information networks have also been set up And operated.

However, informatics technology application during that period had Demonstrated some considerable problems such as:

- The pattern designed [or the entire system had not yet been seriously Studied;

- Software research, development and application had not been legalized, Including the standardization of Vietnamese language. The National standard (TCVN 5712-93) regulates the standard set of Vietnamese letters has just Been promulgated since 1993.

- The high telecommunications fee has obstructed information exploitation and utilisation.

I.3. The Vietnamese computer market:

The first electronic calculator coded Minsk-22 arid trade in the former Soviet Union was installed and used in the North of Vietnam in 1968. Up to 1981, operating in Vietnam were more tens of others such as the US-made IBM-360 calculators and various names originated from Russia and Eastern Europe countries. During the 1980s, sortie thousands of IBM-brand personal Computers have been imported into Vietnam chiefly from South East Asian Countries and companies like Bull and Olivetti front Europe. From 1989 to 1993, 5 big computers coded DPS-7000 has been imported from Bull.

Annual computer sales in the Vietnamese market is estimated to have Been double since 1990. It was estimated that the number of computer sold in Vietnam in 1992 reached sortie 5,000-7,000.

This increasing trend will be existing in the coming years thanks to the Demands of economic renewal and education system renovation to create Conditions for the integration of Vietnam's economy to the world.

Before the U.S. lifted its embargo, Vietnam had been the market for only Domestic dealers who provided computers and equipment imported from South East Asian and European manufacturers. Almost all personal Computers (PC) sold in Vietnam at that moment were IBM-brand analog Which were manufactured in Singapore, Hongkong and Taiwan. Those PCs, Despite their low quality, still attracted Vietnamese people attention thanks to Their low prices and conformability with the initial stage of informatic Technology application to information technology-. Vietnamese consumers, Especially those in sectors of post and telecommunications, banking, finance And State inanagement bodies, have nowadays been familiarised with high Quality but more expensive computers.

Almost of present Vietnamese computer dealers are distributors. Some of Them are authorised distributors. Vietnam has not yet formed its own Computer industry in deed. In the near future, a strategy should be worked out Soon to efficiently develop the Vietnam information technology.

Hereinafter are some companies carrying out much computer-related? Business and production activities:

- GENPACIFIC: a joint venture of BULL SA.France and the Vietnam lectronic and informatics Complex (VEIC ) under the Ministry of Industry- (Mol).'The two partners of [he joint venture shale Jo per cent anti 70 per cent Stakes respectively

-The MoSTE's FPT Company;

- 3C Joint Stock; Company;

- The APPINFO Company;

- The VEIC’s Ho Chi Minh City-based Computer Company;

- The VEIC's Vietnam Computer Company

-Limited liability- companies like CHC Ltd. CO., C&E Ltd. Co., etc..

Before the lift of U.S. embargo, only sortie foreign companies from South East Asian and European countries had operated in Vietnam such as BULI, OLIVETTI, ICL. Some giant computer makers have actively conducted Market surveys and selected local partners during that time so that they can Take their footholds in the Vietnamese market right after the lift of the Embargo.

However, computer business is a newly appeared sector in Vietnam. And In fact unhealthy. competitions have been made by both dealers and consumers. To tackle this problem, the State has strengthened its management and steering role by forming up a legal framework. Tax policies have also been adjusted to encourage computer producers; assemblers and service providers. At the same time measures have been impleillenied to protect consumers' rights as well as save the State budget.

I.4. Development of Vietnam telecommunications sector:

Until 1985, the Vietnam telecommunications network had been too obsolete. The urgent needs of infrastructure development in particular, and the socio-economic development in general, have made the Vietnam post and Telecommunications industry focus its investment on latest technologies to Create bases for succeeding steps. Taking the advantage of a late-coiner, Vietnam has cooperated with foreign countries to absorb leading edge Technologies.

In terms of management mechanism since 1990 the post and Telecommunications industry, with permission of the National Assembly, has Established the Vietnam Post and Telecommunications Corporation (VNPT) to rise its activeness in business and production development. Thanks to Reasonable steps, the industry has increased its telecommunications capacity significantly, meeting international technological level. This is proved in:

International telecommunications:

Apart from the operation of the ground stations Lotus 1 and Lotus 2 of the intersputnik satellite system, Vietnam has linked up to the Intelsat International telecommunications system by a joining with the Australian firm Telstra. In this business cooperation contract (BCC), Vietnam has built and put in operation two Intel sat satellite stations of Grade A in Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh city one station of Grade B in Danang, totaling 3 international Gateways and more than 1,200 high quality automated Satellite channels. In 1993, international calls timed 83 million minutes, a figure which was ranked 50th among nearly 200 Intelsat numbers. Another Grade-A station has also been built in the former Song Be province, while the fibre - optic undersea Cable linking Thailand, Vietnam and Honking with a capacity of 7,600 one- way channels is expected to be put in operation soon.

In November 1992, with the permission of the U.S. Government, more Than 100 direct channels linking Vietnam and the United Stales were set up with the assistance from the AT&T Company.

Domestic telecommunications network:

The domestic telecommunications network has been modernized basically. Since the end of 1993, all cities and provinces throughout the country have been equipped with modern digital exchanges capable to satisfy 20,000, 60,000 and even 100,000 subscribers each.

The inter-province data communication network is totally digitalised and equipped with fibre-optic or digital microwave cables with speeds of 2, 4, 8, 34, 140 Mbit/s.

The Hanoi-Ho Chi Mink City link is equipped with a system of 8-fibre optical cables and is temporarily used at a speed of 34 Ambit/s. However, the route can be upgraded to transmit 622 Mbit/s on each pair of fibres in conformity with the SDH standard, coexisting with the 140 Mbit/s digital microwave route. The fibre-optic cable system on the 500 KV electric line has also been completed, while another 140 Mbit/s digital microwave trunk links Has been installed along the Central Highlands.

Domestic and international dial telephone services have been offered even in remote areas and islands. The packet-switching network has been installed with three terminals have already operated in Hanoi, Danang and Ho Chi Minh City. Other terminals have been installed in various localities to meet requirements of high-speed data transmittal.

Telecommunications fee:

Fee discrimination has been applied to Stale bodies and private households only. Businesses and private households have not been distinguished. Installation and international telecommunications fees have Been far higher than habitants' incomes.

Internal and inter-province telecommunications fees in Vietnam is far lower than other countries in the region and developed nations. Inter-province telecommunications fees are divided in to 8 groups, depending on the distances ranged from 20-1,800 kilometres. In the future, the number of Groups will be reduced and See discrimination will be applied to businesses and households.

International telecommunications fees are divided in 7 groups. International calls made front 23p.m to 7a.m of the next day and on Sunday.Can enjoy a 7-per-cent fee discount. International telecommunications fees in Vietnam had been far higher than other countries in the region and developed nations until 1991. In the near future, the fees will be reduced so that they will be 20-30 per cent higher than other countries. Packet-switching and e-mail services are tolled in conformity with international practices, without. Discrimination of distances.

Vietnam telecommunications industry is expected to reach the medium level in the region by 2000 to create bases for higher development and establishment of a multi-service digitalised network (ISDN) by the turn of the century.

Il. Survey information management ability of some patterns of Vietnamese bodies:

To survey information management ability of some patterns of Vietnamese bodies, the NILP has sent questionnaires to nearly 200 units. They are central State management bodies under the authority of the MOLISA and MOH. trade unions, some research institutes, universities, employers' representatives, departments of labour, war invalids and social affairs, labour confederations of 61 cities and provinces. Investigation results show:

lI.1. State management bodies under the authority of the MoLISA and MoH:

II. 1.1. Management bodies tinder the authority of the MOLISA:

a. The Department of Labour Piotection (DLP):

The DLP is a specialised department to assist the Minister in implementing State management function over labour protection aspects.

The DLP employs 14 cadres, including 10 engineers of mechanics, electricity, electronics, mining, transport, economics, 2 bachelor of law and 2 doctors. Two of them are heads of the department. The DLP is possessing 3 personal computers, including one AT 386 and two AT586. these are made in South East Asian countries, with hard disk capacity of 1.2 MB and processing speed of166 MHz. The computers are used to process and store legal documents on labour. protection, databases provided by the ILO and directory of the National information Network for Occupational Safety and Health. The softwares being used by the DLP include DOS 6.1, Windows 3.1 Havard, Graphics 6.0, Quatro Pro 6.0, Foxpro 2.6, Excel, Access 2.0, NC 4.0 etc.

b. Sate Occupational Safety inspectorate (SOSI)

The SOSI recruits 23 staffs to conduct. Central-level inspections over the compliance of OSH laws. They also carry out investigations on occupational accidents, evaluate and approve safety techniques and standards of occupational safety described in feasibility studies and project designs. The inspectorate also approves importations of objects which require strict occupational safety, deals with complains, denunciations and violations.

The SOSI is using one AT 486 and one AT 586 PC to produce and manage documents, update and announce research results. the softwares being used are MS.DOS 6.1, Windows '95, Foxpro 2.6 and Excel.

c. The Social and Labour Scientific information Centre ( SlSIC)

The SLSIC is the MoLISA mouthpiece, whose duties are to investigate and survey specialised issues of the labour market, employment and invalids. It also make statistics and process investigation data, and publishes publications of specialised informations.

The SLSIC has recently been assigned to cooperate with the DLP to take the responsibility of the National CIS Centre. It has since then published an publication of OSH informations. The SLSIC recruits 20 cadres and use six AT 386 and AT 486 PCs. The softwares, including Microsoft Word, Bked, Windows, CDS, ISIS are used here to compile archive publications and statistic figures, process data, manage OSH databases provided by the ILO. The list of OSH officers is also recorded here.

d- The Safety Technique Evaluation Centre for Area I (STEC I):

The STEC I, with 32 staffs, has the duty to evaluate safety techniques for new equipment and technologies to be used within 8 northern provinces ( from Ha Tinh province).

The centre is using 4 PCs branded Compaq Proliant and Compaq Deskpro 2000 and software’s specialising in accounting and designing compressed vessels to satisfy requirements of its duty.

e. The Safety, Technique Evaluation Centre for Area II (STEC II):

The STEC II's Ho Chi Minh city-based headquarters is to assist the STEC I and the STEC Ill within the city and southern provinces. We have sent questionnaires lo the STEC II but received no answers.

f. The Safety Technique Evaluation Centre for Area III (STEC III) :

The STEC Ill, totaling 25 staffs, is located in Danang and has the functions of evaluating safety techniques, providing OSH consultation and services within the central provinces and the Central Highlands. The five PCs used here, purchased during 1995-1997, are of AT 286 and AT 586 models and locally linked. The softwares are Windows '95, Window 3. 11, Microsoft office 97, Autocad. The centre is managing a database on machinery and equipment require strict safety used in central provinces and the Ccntral Highlands.

g. Deparments of labour, war invalids and socical affairs of centrally managed cities and provinces:

The number af staff of these departments varies in localities. Some provinces have only 3-4 cadres while the number reaches 105 in Hanoi. The averagc number of staffs working in the cities anti provinces is 30-50, with exclusive of Hanoi.

The numbers of computers used in the departiuents are not the salve. sortie depmiments possess more than 10 PCs such as Hanoi (11 PCs).whereas, departments of provinces like Ha Tay Ba Ria-Vung Tau, Vinh I.ong, etc. possess no computers. Many, departments are equipped with from I to 7 PCs. Almost all of the PCs are bought from South East Asian manufacturers during 1995-1997.

The most widely-used softwares used in the deprtments are Windows '95. Excel 5.0, Foxpro for Windows, Foxpro for MS-DOS 2.6, Microsoft office 4.3. The computers are mostly used to manage labour issucs and social insurance within the locality controlled by the depminients and to assist the accomplishment of their duties.

The departments are trying to incrcase thc avcrage number per department to 3 PCs. Most af the new computers will still originated from South East Asian countries. Every department needs to be hooked up to the National OSH I information Network and the Internet.

Il,1.2. Management bodies under the authority of the MOH:

a. The department of Pieventive Health (DPHC):

The DPH is a MoH specialised bodies to carry out preventive medical measurcs for the whole community, Under the DPH is thc Occupational health Division (OHD) which has occupational health-related duties. The division has to work out legal documents relating to occupational health, determine the trend and make plans for preventive health centres of localities and branches, manage working environments and occupational diseases etc.

The OHD staff totals six people, including 1 doctor, 1 master and 4 university

graduates.

In the division are used 3 Compaq PCs and a Toshiba-brand notebook computer. The softwares used are Windows, Excel, Foxpro and Epi-Info. The computers are use in professional jobs and to manage solve databases. The present two databases include one describing production units and one involving in the number of staff and equipment of health care units. The OHD has recently cooperated with ILO and Vietnaniese relevant bodies to establish a database of the silicosis in Vietnam.

b. Local preventive health centres:

They are under the authority of local departments of health. Apart from the duty to carry out preventive medical measures for local resident communities, they also have to check and oversee factors relating to occupational health, care for labourers health and discover occupational diseases within locally-managed businesses.

Although the number of those using PCs has not been identified we suppose that in the near future, each local centre should be equipped with at least 1PCs to support its professional jobs and manage figures relating to occupational health and diseases within the locality.

ll.2. Trade unions:

II.2. 1 The VGCL:

During the past few years, by different capital sources, the VGCL has purchased 20 micro computers of various models. Except sortie bought during 1993-1994, the latter purchases are of higher configuration (486 DX, 66 MHz, 8 MB RAM, 420 MB HDD and upper).

The VGCL has installed a local area network ( LAN) with the file server is a Compaq Proliant 1.500 whose configuration is: Pentium 166 MHz, 32 MB RAM, 4.3 GB HDD Plugable fast, Wide SCSI2, 512 KB Write-back cache, Netfek 3/8-100 MB/s. The main soflwares being used are Novell Netware 4. I. Foxpro 2.0 and some others.

As specified in the National Information technology development masterplan by 2000, the VGCL is allowed by the NSCIT to implement an informaticalised management project. According to the project, the VGCI, will set up some systems to manage documents, produce reports, store, retrieve informations etc. The VGCL will also create some databases relating to trade union activities. The LAN will also be completed, while an expansive network will be set up for trade unions of localities and branches. This network is expected to be logged on the Internet in order to put into it some VGCI, newspapers and magazines by 2000.

To implement the project efficiently, the VGCL, has set up its Steering comittee for information Technology (SCIT). Dr. Prof. Nguyen An Luong and Dr. Hoang Van Yen are appointed the SCIT Chief and Vice Chief respectively. Meanwhile, the VGCL also set up the Project Management Board to instruct the implementation of the VGCI 's information technology project during 1998-2000.

II.2.2. Labour confederations of Centrally-managed cities and provinces:

The 61 local labour confederations, recognising the profit of the application of informatic techniques, have actively equipped themselves with PCs and trained their users. So far, almost all confederations have possessed from 1 to 8 PCs branded Compaq AT 486, AT 586, IBM AT 486 DX, Plus AT 586. These PCs were bought during 1996-1997. Thosc purchased in 1994 are chiefly of AT 386 models.

Popular softu>m.cs uscd by trade unions are Windows '95~ Microsoft office 4.3; Foxpro 2.6 and Excel 5,0. The PCs die used to support professional duties such as administration, staff and equipment management. They are also used to manage data relating to trade union activities carried out by the confederations. Regarding to the Development Project for information Technology in Trade lJnions Management; every- local labour confecleration need to be logged on the VGCL network and the National OSH.1 information Network as well. They also commands to be provide with more equipment and trainings.

II.2.3. Trade unions of branches throughout the country:

Vietnam so far has had 18 trade unions of key centrally managed economic branches. Similar to the responsibilities of local labour confederations, the 18 trade unions have the duty to carry out trade union activities within their branches. The trade unions have also used computers for in jobs. The VGCL considers trade unions of branches to be the key intersections in the implementation of its Information Technology Development Project.

II.2.4. Units under the authority of the VGCL:

The VGCL also has the authority over some units such as the NILP, the university of trade union, the Lao Dong Newspaper, the labour. and Trade union Magazine etc.

The information management and development. capability of the NILP will be introduced in section II.3.

Among the above-mentioned units, the university of T'rade Union is woth of attention. The university employs 70 cadres, in which there are 4 doctors, 10 masters and 56 universit.y graduates. The university is in charge of training trade union activists, labour protection engineers, business administration bachelors. The university also conducts scientific researches on workers, the trade union, labour protection and some sociological issues.

,At present, the university. possesses a stote containing 30,000 documentary books. 90 periodic publications and 60 other sets of documents.

The university is using 50 made-in-South East Asia coiupuiers ranged from AT 386 to AT 586 models. The softwares are comillon ones used in teaching, management and scientific research.

The university is a member of the National OSH information Network. It is also an intersection of the VGCL expansive network, and plays the role of an informatic teaching centre oftrade union activists.

The university of Trade lJnion has a close cooperat.ion with ihe NlLP in training labour protection engineers.

The Lao Dong Newspaper has applied informatic technology in transmisitting all in formations to its printing houses in the Central and the South of Vietnam.

Il.3. Research institutes:

In this section, we would like to refer to institutes involving much in OSH information and activities.

lI.3.I. The Institute of Information Technology (IIT):

The llT, under the authority of the National Centre for Science and Technology, is an unit for informatics technology research, development

application. It was established over 30 years ago. The nearly 200 number staff includes 14 professors and more than 60 doctors of science, The institute unibrellas 4 sub-institutes and 8 specialised divisions. The IIT is in charge of studying basic matters, mathematical and technical bases of the informatic technology. It also researches the application of informanic technology in socio-economic system and the automation of production. In addition, it designs and produces software products and systems for informatic technology application projects. Since 1996, the IIT has coordinated with the Ministity of Finance (MOF) to iniplement a project on informaticalisation in the finance sector. It has designed and produced management information systems for localities and systems to check over seismic magnetic tapes etc.

Some softwares made by the llT have been wide used domestically and abroad. Since the late years of 1980s the institiite has produced and transferred technologies of electronically word processing, based on the Ventura program. Another IIT'S product, POPMAP, can be used a tool to from databases and draw maps in family planning and population activities. This product has been used by the lJnited Nations in more than 100 coutries. The made-by-IIT EMIS software to form databases in education managenient has been used by the UNESCO in various countries.

Network researches, which have been conducted in the IIT since the late years of 1980s, have resulted in the VARENET which is seen as a Vietnamese-style Internet. The llT have then developed another network, the widely-used NETNAM. Since Septeniber 1994, on the request of the MOSTE, the Internet Association has officially recognised the IIT to be an Internet technical gateway and the institute can operate the international linking station.

The NSCIT and the National Centre for Scieiice and Technology have assigned the IIT to be the developer of the project on the VARNET and the linking station INFORNET during 1996-2000.

II.3.2. The National Institute of Labour Protection (NILP):

Established since 1971, the NILP is in charge of studying OSH-related issues. The NILP umbrellas a sub-institute in the Ho Chi Minh City, a Centre in Danang and 14 terminals of its Hanoi-based headquarters. Its staff records 192, including 5 professors-doctors, 21 doctors, 132 masters and university graduates. The NILP is a coordinating centre of CIS/ILO and a member of the Asia-Pacific Occupational Safety and Health Organisation (APOSHO), It is also an intersection of the National OSH Information Network.

Duties of the NILP are:

- Research and implement labour protection science and techniques aiming at working conditions improvement, occupational accidents and diseases prevention labourers' safety and health and environment protection.

- Work out and propose scientific bases for the formation of policies, regimes, guidances and regulations on labour protection. Produce OSH standards.

- work out and apply organisation, manageinenl, instruction and checking measures in labour protection activities.

- Inform, consult, propagate and train management staffs, employers and labourers on labour protection knowledges. Train students, after-graduates

and masters on related issues.

- Implement labour protection contracts with units. Manufacture in small- scale high quality labour protection products.

lnformation activities have been under taken by thc NILP since 1971. Currently, the institute is possessing 10,000 naiiies of books, 300 periodic publications and 6 databases covering thousands of records of standards, toxic chemicals, documents, research subjects, Asia-Pacific OSH, ILO, OSH experts, environnient protection etc.

The NlLP has hooked up to some national information networks like Netnam infortra, Sicnet, Vestenet. The NILP is also a member of the National Scientific anti Technological Information and Data System.

The NILP has published tens names of periodic and irregular publications, OSH training documents and scientific documents relating to OSH and environment protection.

The NlLP is using 34 PCs, ranging from AT 386 to AT 586 DX. One of which is used as a file server. The Hanoi-based headquarters, the Ho Chi Minh City-based sub-institute and the Danaiig-based centre possesses 22, 9 and 3 PCs respectively. Almost of these computers were made in South East Asian countries and bought during 1995-1997. The computers are managing databases, archives and processing figures of working condition and environment measures and investigation. They. are also used in professional works such as staff administration, accounting, occupational accident and disease statistics. The NILP'S PCs are linked with national information networks.

Internally, the headquarters, the sub-institute and the centre are linked up together. A local area network within the Hanoi-based headquarters is expected to be installed soon.

Softwares used by the headquarters are MS. DOS 6.0, MS. DOS 6.2, MS Draw, Ventura 2.0, Word Perfect 5.1, Foxpro 2.0, Foxpro 2.5, Excel, CDS.ISIS, Turbo Pascal 6.0, Autocad l2, AutoCad 13, C.Infor, EB 2.9, EB 5.0, Bked 6.0, ABC 2.0 and others.

II.3.3. The National Scientific and Technological Information and Data Centre (NSTIDC):

This is the top body of the National Information and Data System and has duties:

- Build up a scientific and technological information and data system. In combination with the socio-economic information system, form an information exchange network to support management and leading activities.study, develop, and modernise the informatic technology to make it capable to compete with international inforniation systems.

- Coordinate with the NSCIT and relevant bodies to implement the Subject "National Information System For Elducation, Research and lmplementation".

- Build up, manage and efficiently use national rcsources of scientific, technological and environment informations and data.

- Make up and implement some State-level projects on information technology., including the "Information System of Scientific, Technological and Environment Potentials".

The staff of the centre totals 150, on which 100 are university graduates and upper Five of the staff are programmer and system designcrs.

The centre has 2 file servers configured Wise I)ecision 486 DX/66, 16 MB RAM, 3 GB HDD and 50 PCs of AT 486 and AT 586 DX.

Softwares used here are Novell Netware 3.12 Novell Access Server 1.3, CDS -ISIS and others.

The NSTIDC'S computers are hooked up to the local area and expansive networks to manage and access databases. The databases cover hundreds of thousands of records of domestic informations and millions of records of CD- ROM based data imported from overseas countries.

II,3.4. The Institute of Labour Medicine and Environment Hygiene:

The institute is an intersection of the National OSH Information Network. It has a 51-member staff including 1 professor, 6 doctorates, 9 Lioctors of levels l, II as speciality, 17 doctors, 15 chemical and electronic engineers, 2 pharmacists, 8 university graduates and 11 technicians.

The institute has 4 specialised divisions of labour psycho-physiology and ergonomy, labour medicine, occupational discases, and environmcnt hygiene.

The duties of the institute are:

- Study labour psycho-physiology and ergonomy, health and working environment occupational diseases, and environment hygiene.

- Study the labour physiological constant, set up standards on occupational health, occupational disease diagnostic methods, periudical health examining method and on recruitment.

- Take part in evaluation of occupational health issues described in designs of industrial building and new technologies.

- Participate in training, information, publishnig documents relating to occupational health and environment hygiene.

- Provide guidances, techniques and experts of occupational health and environment hygiene.

The institute has becn the cooperation centre with the World Health Organisation (WHO) since 1986.

The institute oufns 500 names of books, 4,500 magazines and specialised documems. At prescnt, it is using 12 computers to manage, study, make statistics and processing data. It is using popular sofwares in Vietnam.

II.3.5. The Information Centre of Chemical Science and Techniques:

This is the information centre of the chemical industry and has 21 cadres, of 'which 10 are university graduates and upper. the centre is in charge of providing sufficient information to the chemical industry and publishing the following publications:

- The Chemical industry. Magazine

- The Chemical Econo-technical Bulletin

- Other specialised ones.

At present, the centre is using 3 Acer computers of AT 586 to adrninistratc the industry's databases and support management works. It is using popular softwares in Vietnam.

ll.3.6. The Centre for Oil and Gas Safety and Environment Development Research:

This is a non-business scientific research unit. The centre, whose headquarters is placed in Ho Chi Minh City is a member of the Vietnam Oil and Gas Corporation. It is now employing 60 people. Three of them are doctors, 2 are masters and 44 al-e university graduates.

Its duties include:

- Research scientific and iechnical subjeers on safety and environment in oil and gas activities;

- Provide tcchnical services of safety and environment protection in the oil and gas industry

- Participate in the evaluation of parameters of safety techniques; oil and gas equipment and OSH conditions within the industry. Work out options to prevent and deal with safety-related incidents;

- Participate in the compilation of legal documents relating to safety and environment in the oil and gas industry.

The centre is now using 22 computers ranging from AT 486 DX 100 and DX5 133 to AT 586 P5-90 and P5-133, with RAM capacities vary from 8-32 M13. The softwares are Windows 3.ll, Windows '95, Microso. office, Foxpro, Pascal, GIS, Adobe, Corel Draw, image in, Charm and some specialised programs to assess environment pollution, oil spilling patterns, water discharge, exhausted gas dispersion, chemical analysing etc.

II. 4 The Education and Training Branch:

Thc Vietnam Education and Training Branch has significant Developed.during 1955-1956 school-years, there had been only 4 univcrsities and colleges, totaling 40 teachers and around 1,200 students; 8 high-schools with 101 techers and 3,000 pupils. However, the figures incieased conderably in the 1994-1995 school-year, with 104 universitie; and collcges, lotaling nearly 21,500 teachers and 367,50student 261 high-chools with 9,000 teachers; aand 87,700 pupils. In adition, there weic 177 vocational chools with more than 4,600 teachers and 62,600 students.

The State of Vietnam encourages universities and colleges to combine traning, studying activities with scientifiic researches and apply the research results in to practice.

Vietnam has had around 100 rescilrch and promotion centre, including high-tech ones such as the internationl traning centre for Material Science, The Vietnam Character Education and Promotion Centre; The centre for Automatic Techniques Research, thc Centre for Accurate Mechanical Techniques Research the Centre for Biological Technology Reseaich; the centre New Energy Research. These centres havc mixed their rcseitrches with traning activities.

University and upper graduates comprise a high ratio in the total staff of universities and colleges, reatching 68 per cent. Cadre; possessing after graduaie degrees comprise as much its 25 per cent in universities and colleges, whilc thc average number of the country as a whole is 10 per cent.

The government has outlined targets in the information and technology development masterplan:

- Professionally train high-skill computer expert; including system analysts, programmers, researchers, engineers to satisfy a total demand of 20,000 computermen by 2000.

- Provide computer trainings and practiccs to secondary-school pupils.

- Popularise informaiic Lnowledges in a purl af the labour force.

To reach these targets, capital should be mobilised from the State budget and other sources in the community so that the following woks can be accomplished:

- Set tip complete computer facuitie; at national and polytechnic universities nationwide to realisc 500-600 graduates annually.

- Open a 2-years professional training system to receive 2,000 students each ycar until 2000

-Train student; of other branches on the application of information technology

- Implement a national project on informatic education within secondary chools.

- Encourage the opening of training course; of any forms to introduce informatic knowledges to numerous communities.

Obviously, the Education and Training Bianch must have a numerous number of computers to reach the targets. Due to many difficuties, we have not yet been able to conduct direct investigations and surveys in universities, colleges and secondary schools. Thus computer demand in the education and training branch is estimated as follows:

- Regarding to educational function: investigation figures made in sonie universities show that averagciy each 4.1 people out of the total staff are eequipped with a computer.

- Regarding to scientific research function invesigation figures made in reseatch institutes show each 4.4 people use a computer averagely.

By considering the two functions as a whole, the education and training branch has an average number of 4.25 people who are provided with a computer. This means the present total PCs used by the entirc branch is around 7,200. Ofcourse, these figures can be used us a reference only, because the small scale of the investigation. In addition, educational and scientific research functions are temporarily consideren to be equivatlent.. Furthermore, it is worth of notice that the low quality and cheap computers are used for training pu.rpose much widely than the higher quality but expensive ones used in research activities. Thc number of computers used in universities and colleges will rapidly increase during 1998 -2000 because Vietnams education and training branch takes an essential resonsibility of training informatic staffs for the implementation of the National Information Technology Program.

II.5. Employers' representative urganisations:

There have yet been an official employers' representative organisition in Vietnam. In fact, however some organisations have been operating as assistants to employers by providing accurate market and partncr selection informations, carrying out marketing promotion, information exchange, or dealing with difficulties and obstacles in production and business activitics. These organisation; include the Vietnam Champer of Cooperrative and Industry (VCCL), the Central Commission of Vietnam Cooperative Union (CCVC) and the Direcior Club.

We have investigaied two organisations which are conducting several information -related activities. They are the centre for Privatc business Assistance and Development under the CCVC, and the Sao Bac Company's information and Data Ccntre, under the VCCI.

lI.5. 1. The centre for Private Business Assistance and Development:

The centre, though has the duty lo assist pivadte businesses, is financed by the State budget Objects of the centre are coopertives and private small and medium cnterprises,

Its duties are:

- Train and improve economic management and business ability of small and medium enterprises' empluyers and of cooperative chairmen.

- Support activities and invest in businesses,

- Research socio-economic and environment impacts of private small and medium enterprises and cooperatives.

- Research the maintenace and development of traditional works and Villalges.

- Implement socio-economic programs for- private small and medium enterpriscs and cooperatives.

The 30-member staff of the centre includes 2 doctors, 28 university graduates One of them is a computcr specialist. Three out of 7 computers used in thc centre is Conipaq-brand. The rest are made in Southeast Asia countries, Popular softwares havc been installed.

II.5.2. The Sao Bac Company's Information and data Centre:

This is a VCCI's business operating on the self-accounted mechanism.

The centre has the duty to collect, analyse and store all informations relating to legal documents on economic and foreign investment issues, repieseiitativc offices of foreign companies in Vietnam, domestic companies, hotels, tourism. The information will be provided to customers.

To accomplish the tasks, the centre has already hooked up to NetNam and set up an expansive nationwide network.

The centre has loaned several databases such as the CD-ROM based Vietnam Ingor, covering informations of nearly 10,000 companies of various economic sectors, 2,000 rcpresentative officcs, thousands of foreign joint ventures and 100 per cent foreign-owned enterprises, 10,000 pages of English documents, etc.

The centre has pubushe the 1,000 page "Vietnam Business Directory", and introductory document of the GSP rulc.

The centre is now having a 50-peopie staff, of which 31 are university graduates. It has 25 computers configured Pentium MMX, 166 MHZ, 1.6 GBHDD, 1.44 MB FDD, 16 MBRAM arid some othcr equipnient such as scanner, B&W and colour printers, laptop computer;

The softwares used are Windows, Microsoft Word, Excel, Microsoft C, open Access 4.0 , Access for Windows, Corel Draw, Adobe and some others.

Conlusion

The Vietnamese Government has drawn policies, Strategies, and a materplan for information technology devolopment by 2000. The State budget has also been used to finance priority projects to realise the targets. Strengthening the role of the State is hailed as a right decision which givcs a consideiable step forward to the information technology development. Statc management bodies and socio-economic branches, including the OSH field, have therefore step by step improved their information manageinent ability and Cotributed to the creation of considerably information sources for sociely. However, this is a serious and hard work which will lake much timc to be done. Every private individual and organisation, with their posts and power, are required to increase their responsibility as well as productivity for the sake of the national prosperity.

The way to the future ,will have not only challenges, but also prospeats. It is expected that Vietnam, by waking up its inner resources, and with efficient assistances from internation communities, will have asustainnable devclopment and keep pace with other countries in the region and in the world to enter the 21th Century, with the targets of the nation's prosperity and the people' happiness.

REFERENCE

I. (lovernment Resolution No. 49/CP dated August 4, 1993 on information

technology deveiopinent in Vietnam during 1990s.

2. The National Program on Information Technology - Masterplan by 2000.

3. Instruction No. 95-Information Technology. of the Council of Ministers tidied April 1991 .

4. Vu Van Son - Lihraries to Target Socio-Economic Development. (Seech at the Coference information and computer Science Technologies Target Socio Economic Development )

5. Tong Van Dinh - Scientific and Technological information and Data. services in Vietnam Facts and Prospects. (Seech at the Coference information and computer Science Technologies Target Socio Economic Development )

6. Nguyen Khac Son - Situation of Inforniatic Application in the Vietnam Scientific and Technological information and Data System (Seech at the Coference information and computer Science Technologies Target Socio Economic Development )

7. Nguyen Lam - informatic research and Application in Vietnam: Facts and

Prospects. (Seech at the Coference information and computer Science Technologies Target Socio Economic Development )

8. Do Trung Ta - Vietnam Postal Industry

(Seech at the Coference information and computer Science Technologies Target Socio Economic Development )

9. Nguyen Quang A - Vietnainese Computer Maket. (Seech at the Coference information and computer Science Technologies Target Socio Economic Development )

10. Project on State Management informaticalisation within the VGCL, 1997,

1 1. Vu Duc Dam - Telecomuunications Developmeni in a Modern Economy-.Scientific and technical Publishing House, 1996

12. Bui Bien Hoa, Nguyen Xuan Doan, Dao Van Tan- Information Science:Theory and Practice.

13. 50 Years of Vietnam Science and Technology (1945-1995) ( Elecrnic -Informatic Secsion )

14. Nguyen Cong Hoa - Activities During the Establishment of the Project on Information Technology Application in Managenient Systems,

15- Chu Hao - Information Technology in Vietnam by the Doorstep of the 21 th Centur