SOCIALIST REPUBLIC OF VIETNAM

INDEPENDENT-FREEDOM-HAPPINESS

AGREEMENT ON ORGANIZATION AND COLLABORATION OF ACTIVITY 

BETWEEN THE FOCAL POINT ORGANIZATIONS OF NATIONAL NETWORK

ON OCCUPATIONAL SAFETY AND HEALTH INFORMATION

PART I

INTRODUCTION

With a good understanding of the importance of information, scientific document and technology, Vietnam has formulated and established a system of information institutions were established in măt of localities and in specialized fields throughout country. Its focal point,on the one hand, is the National Centre of Information - Scientific Document - Technology.

In this circumstance, solve Occupational safety and Health information Centers lay in Governmental management agencies, institutes, universities and some local specialized professional organizations belonging to the Ministry of Labour, Invalids and Social Affairs (MOLISA), Ministry of Health (MOH) and Trade Union System was established. Some of these information organizations continuously and effectively Operate and set up resources of considerable information potential on occupational safety and health . These resources include document stores, databases and investigation apparatuses on OSH and Environment. The information products of these organ izations have initially contributed to the service of scientific research activities, dissemination of knowledge and raise of public awareness on OSH and Environment for the improvement of working conditions, prevention and restriction of accidents at work and occupational diseases. These information organizations are the headquaters of industrial information organization and are members of the national information network and also undertake exchange of information with many countries and international organizations.

In accordance with the Vietnamese Government's permission and the ILO's approval, the National OS Centre (MOLISA) was established in 1989, and from 1992 the National Institute of Labour Protection of Vietnam General Confederation of Labour (VGCL) became a Collaborative OS Centre and regularly contacts and meets its obligation in information exchange with OS/ILO Geneva.

In order to promote information activities in the field of OSH in Vietnam, in accrdance with the common development of Asian - Pacific Region and other countries in the World, with assistance of the ILO through the Project RAS/90/M12/FlN, the first Workshop off development of National Network on OSI- I Information was held in April 1994, the second in July 1995 and the third seminar was held in September 1995 in Vietnam.

At these Workshops there were present representatives of MOLISA, MOH and VGCL and all representatives have confirmed the need to establish a National Network on OSH Information (National Network) and made sure that Vietnam has all conditions to establish this network.

PART II

GENERAL PROVISIONS ON ORGANIZATION AND COLLABORATION

IN ACTIVITY BETWEEN THE FOCAL POINT ORGANIZATIONS

OF THE NATIONAL NETWORK ON OSH INFORMATION

According to results of the discussions of representatives of MOLISA, MOH and VGCL at the mentioned above seminars under assistance of the ILO - Bangkok Experts, the organizations involveda in the National Network on OSH Information have agreed the following general provisions on organization and collaboration of its activity:

1. Objective:

The objective of the National Network on OSH Information is to create favorable conditions for adding, up dating, sharing and disseminating information resource on OSH to the Governmental management agencies, Trade Union organization and representative organizations of employers and professional agencies in order to strengthen the capacity of network member in operation, collaboration and exchange of information with each other and with the relevant international information organizations, in particular with CIS/ILO and contribute to the improvement of working conditions, prevention and restriction of accidents at work and occupational diseases.

2. Organization structure

2.1. The Governmental management agencies, trade unions and representative

organizations of employers, information centers, institutes and universities operating in the field of OSH will be able to become a member organization of the National Network.

2.2. Member organ izations operate on principle of voluntary - equal - mutual interest.

2.3. In order to coordinate general activities of the Network it is needed to establish an Advisory Committee of the National Network on OSH Information including representatives of three focal point organizations : abour Protection Department, MOLISA; Institute of Occupational and Environmental Health, MOH; and National Institute of Labour Protection, VGCL.

Representatives of each organization are an official at department leadership level and a qualified expert operating in OSH information who is appointed by the leader of each organization. Among them, representative of the Labour Protection Department, MOLISA will be a steering members of the Committee.

2.4. The collaborative committee operates on its rules and has responsibility to organize for the implementation of the action plans of the National Network and of member network in accordance with practical conditions of the country and of each member as well.

2.5. The operation rule of the National Network is being prepared by the Advisory Committee. It will be passed and approved at a plenary meeting by leaders of three focal point organizations. The rules will clearly identity rights and obligations of each member and adapt to existing prescribed regulations.

3. Operation processes of the National Network The National Network continues to apply traditional methods for information activity while gradually applying advanced methods in order to effectively and satisfactorily serve information users and adapt to national and international standards in the process of information exchange.

4. Financial affairs and support factors.

- The Government will support all activities of the National Network on OSH

Information through the national action programme on occupational safety and healthplan of actions of the National Network.

- International contributions

- Benefits from non - business information products of the Network.

- Financial supports from member - organizations and other organizations.

- With their capacity the focal point organizations will create good conditions and help for the its members activities.

5, international relation

- The National Network is:

+ a member of the National system of information - Scientific Document -Technology

+ a member of the Networks on OSH in Asia and the Pacific in accordance with common plan of action of Asian - Pacific regional programme on OSH.

+ a member of the CIS/ILO

- In the near future, when having enough conditions it will joint in as member of the International Information Network of the World Health Organization (WHO) and the the World Environmental Organization (WEO).

PART III

PLEDGES

1. This Agreement will come into effect from date of its signature by leaders of the focal point organizations of MOLISA, MOT-I arid VGCL.

2. This Agreement is aft official document for exchange with the Networks on OSH in Asia anti Pacific and other countries and international organizaitions.

3. Any, amendment to contents of this document must be agreed by representatives of three organizations in the Collaborative Committee.

Hanoi, 12 Feb.,1996

        Director,                                              Director,                                                      Director,

National Institute of Institute               Labour Protection, and                       VGCL Health MOH MOLISA

of Occupational Labour Protection      Environmental Department,

(Signatured and stamped)                  (Signatured and stamped)                     (Signatured and stamped)

Prof. Dr. Nguyen An Luong                  Prof. Dr. Le Trung                                      Nguyen Dai Dong