How to Resolve Disputes in Employment in Vietnam?

A labor dispute is a dispute over rights, obligations and interests arising between parties in employment relationship. Labor disputes include individual labor disputes between employees and employers, and collective labor disputes between labor collectives and employers. When a labor dispute occurs, the competent agency, organization or individual will settle it on the basis of the measures and principles of labor dispute settlement prescribed in Chapter XIV of the Labor Code 2012.

Methods of dispute settlement in international trade

Measures for resolving labor disputes include: negotiation, grassroots conciliation, settlement of individuals and organizations competent to settle labor disputes.

For individual labor dispute resolution, labor conciliator, People’s Court is an individual or organization competent to resolve disputes. Labor conciliator; Chairman of the district People’s Committee; The People’s Court is competent to resolve collective labor disputes over labor rights and conciliators; The Labor Arbitration Council is competent to settle collective labor disputes about benefits.

Negotiation is a method of resolving a dispute in which the parties to a dispute deal directly with each other in order to reach an agreement on the settlement of the dispute. In fact, this is the most widely used solution. During the negotiation process, the parties will discuss issues related to the dispute, and propose solutions to resolve that dispute. The decision is made on the basis of agreement between the parties themselves and is not the result of any external pressure.

Unlike negotiation, conciliation is a method of resolving disputes involving third parties but not third parties make decisions but only support and guide the parties to negotiate. Under the provisions of Clause 1, Article 201 of the Labor Code 2012, individual labor disputes must go through the conciliation procedure of a labor conciliator before requesting a court to settle them, except for labor disputes on disciplinary measures in the form of dismissal or disputes over the unilateral termination of the labor contract; compensation for damages, benefits when terminating a labor contract; between domestic servants and employers; on social insurance in accordance with the law on social insurance, on health insurance in accordance with the law on health insurance; on compensation for damages between laborers and enterprises and non-business units that send laborers to work abroad under contracts. If the two parties reach an agreement, the labor conciliator shall make a record of successful conciliation. On the contrary, the two parties cannot reach an agreement, and the labor conciliator issues a conciliation plan for the two parties to consider and if the two parties accept the conciliation plan, the labor conciliator shall make a record of successful conciliation. In case the two parties do not accept the conciliation plan or a disputing party has been duly summoned for the second time but still absent without plausible reasons, the labor conciliator shall make a record of unsuccessful conciliation.

Dispute resolution by the Chairman of the district People’s Committee is the method to be applied when there is a request for resolving a collective labor dispute on rights. Chairpersons of district-level People’s Committees shall base themselves on labor laws, collective labor agreements, registered labor rules and legal regulations and agreements to consider and settle labor disputes dynamic.

The Labor Arbitration Council is the competent authority to settle collective labor disputes about benefits. At the meeting of the Labor Arbitration Council, there must be representatives of both parties to the dispute. The Labor Arbitration Council has the responsibility to assist the parties in self-negotiation. In case the two parties reach an agreement or accept the mediation plan, the Labor Arbitration Council shall make a record of successful mediation and issue a decision recognizing the agreement of the parties. In case the two parties fail to reach an agreement or one of the disputing parties has been duly summoned for the second time but still absent without plausible reasons, the Labor Arbitration Council shall make a record of unsuccessful mediation and after within 03 days, the labor collective has the right to carry out the procedures to go on strike.

Trial is a mode of resolving individual labor disputes and collective labor disputes over rights, in which the Court will issue a judgment or decision to resolve the case. The settlement of labor disputes in court is generally the final settlement activity after the dispute has been settled at other stages with no results. The settlement of labor disputes at the Court is done by a judicial body with special state power, proceeding according to the strict procedures and procedures prescribed in the Civil Procedure Code 2015. The greatest advantage of this method of dispute resolution is that the court’s decisions on labor disputes are guaranteed to be enforced by state coercive measures.

Employees as well as the labor collective and employers should pay attention to selecting the most appropriate and optimal resolution solution when labor disputes occur.  It is also suggested to consult with labour lawyers of law firm in Vietnam speacializing in employment matters for efficiency.

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Procedures for Issuance of an Export Permit for Medical Masks During the Prevention and Control of Covid-19 Epidemic Period

On March 11, 2020, Decision 868/QD-BYT of the Ministry of Health stipulates the issuance of export permits for medical masksin the period of preventing and controlling Covid-19. This Decision applies to agencies and organizations assigned by the Government to export medical masks for the purpose of international aid and assistance under Clause 1 of Resolution No. 20/NQ-CP of February 28, 2020 of the Government.

Accordingly, the Ministry of Health applies the export licensing regime for medical masks in the stage of COVID-19 disease prevention and only allows export for the purpose of international aid and assistance of the Government of Vietnam. Maximum of 25% of output for export, 75% of output for domestic disease prevention and control.

Medical masks must meet the minimum standards of TCVN 8389-1:2010; TCVN 8389-2:2010; TCVN 8389-3:2010 and has a circulation number issued by the competent health authority as prescribed.

A dossier of grant of a medical mask export permit includes: A written request for export license (01 original, made according to form No. 01 promulgated together with this Decision); Valid copies of documents of the Government, the Prime Minister or notices of the Government Office on the assignment of export of medical masks for the purpose of international aid and assistance. For effective preparation of dossiers, it is suggested to consult with import, export and customs lawyers whom specialize in international trade and government regulations.

Within 01 day (within 24 hours) after receiving the complete and valid dossier of the unit, the Department of Medical Equipment and Health Works under the Ministry of Health considers granting an export permit. In case of refusal to grant a permit, the Ministry of Health shall issue a written reply clearly stating the reason. The export permit is sent to the unit requesting the export to submit to the Customs Office when carrying out export procedures.

The Decision takes effect from the date of signing, the unit assigned by the Government to export medical masks is only granted the medical mask export permit when it has all valid dossiers as prescribed. This is to ensure domestic masks for the prevention and control of domestic epidemics.

The changes of laws will be monitored by ANT Lawyers - A law firm in Vietnam.  For advice or service request, please contact us via email ant@antlawyers.vn or call +84 28 730 86 529.

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Update on Anti-dumping for Some Monosodium Glutamate (MSG) under Case AD09

From March 2016, MSG product imported into Vietnam has been imposed trade remedies according to petition of Vedan Vietnam Enterprise Corp.,Ltd. Safeguard duty adding to import tax rate is imposed on additional levels converted into 4.33 million dong/ton from the first year and descending only 3,2 million dong/ton by 2020. From March 25^th, 2020, imported MSG tax shall return 0 dong if plaintiff no longer extends the safeguard measure.

Antitrust Lawyers in Vietnam

On August 19^th, 2019, Trade Remedies Authority of Vietnam (TRAV), Ministry of Industry and Trade received request dossier for applying the anti-dumping measures (AD) on MSG product with HS code 2922.42.20 (“Goods under investigation”) originating from People's Republic of China (“China”) and Republic of Indonesia (“Indonesia”). Plaintiff accused MSG imported from above two countries of having been dumping into Vietnam market, causing considerable damage to domestic MSG manufacturing.

On September 4^th, 2019, TRAV issued official dispatch no. 760/PVTM-P1 on requiring the Requesting Party to supplement the dossier.

On September 23^rd, 2019, Requesting Party fully supplemented the required information.

On October 8^th, 2019, Investigating Body confirmed that Dossier is valid, complete according to regulations of law on trade remedies.

On October 31^st, 2019, Ministry of Industry and Trade promulgated Decision 3267/QD-BCT on conducting an investigation to apply anti dumping measure on some MSG products with HS code 2922.42.20 originating from China and Indonesia.

On November 15^th, 2019, TRAV issued investigation questionnaire for domestic producers and importers to collect information and data for the case.

Investigation results showed that although safeguard measures was imposed absolutely at VND 3,201,039/ton, the quantity of imported goods after the applying the safeguard duty shows signs of dumping in large quantities, from 2.88 million dong/ton to more than 6.3 million dong/ton on goods imported from China and Indonesia, corresponding to the highest dumping margin being over 28%. Such level of dumping illustrates that imported goods is continuing to threaten causing considerable damage to domestic MSG manufacturing. Since 2016,  MSG manufacturing of some countries has been oversupplying and inventory has been increasing dramatically which results in promoting heavily the export to other countries, including Vietnam. This export makes domestic manufacturing find it difficult and pressuring due to dramatic increase of goods under investigation imported into Vietnam for the past time. In addition, Vietnam is the second largest export market of China and the fourth largest export market of Indonesia. Therefore, when the safeguard duty expires, goods from these both countries will be enhanced to export into Vietnam market which threatens causing considerable damage to domestic manufacturing. Besides, MSG product from China and Indonesia also have been imposed anti dumping measures by USA, European Union. China exporters likely seek alternative markets, including Vietnam.

On March 18^th, 2020, Minister of Industry and Trade promulgated Decision No. 881/QD-BCT on applying temporary anti-dumping duty on some MSG products originating from China and Indonesia. Accordingly, MSG products originating from China and Indonesia shall be imposed absolutely in the range from 2,889,245 VND/ton to 6,385,289 VND/ton. Application duration of temporary anti dumping measure shall be 120 (one hundred and twenty) days from the effective date of temporary anti dumping duty (unless extended). Above Decision on temporary anti dumping shall take effect since March 25^th, 2020.

Our internationaltrade and competition lawyers at ANT Lawyers will always follow the development from authorities to provide update to our clients.

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Notification On Application Time Limits for Applicants Affected by Covid-19

Due to social distancing requirements of government to curb the spead of Covid-19, Vietnam government agencies including National Office of Intellectual Properties (NOIP) issues notification to provide instructions to related parties to ensure smooth business operation for not only government officers but also applications and Intellectual Property attorney representing clients in registration, and other IP related works at the NOIP.

IP services in Vietnam

In order to minimize the disadvantages caused by Covid-19 to applicants/industrial property right owners relating to procedures for registration of industrial property rights with NOIP, on March 13, 2020, NOIP has issued the Notification No. 5277/TB-SHTT on application of legal provisions relating to time limits for applicants affected by Covid-19 and transactions between applicants and the NOIP. The specific content is as following:

1. Extension of time limits for applicants affected by Covid-19 in carrying out procedures

All procedures for registration of industrial property rights which are due in the period from 30 March 2020 to 30 April 2020, namely requests for claiming priority rights, provision of supplement documents, responses to decisions/notifications of NOIP, requests for annuities/renewal of the validity of protection titles, payment of all types of fees and charges, lodgement of appeals/oppositions, shall be automatically extended to 30 May 2020.

In other cases, applicants who are still suffering from impacts of Covid-19 in perusing their applications for establishment of the industrial property rights with IP Vietnam, can request for the application of regulations on objective obstacles, force majeure provided for in Points 9.4, 9.5 of Circular No.01/2007/TT-BKHCN amended by Circular No.16/2016/TT-BKHCN.

2. Filing PPH requests PPH agreement between NOIP and the Japan Patent Office

The receiving date of PPH requests will be re-scheduled from May 4^th 2020 instead of April 1^st 2020 as announced earlier by NOIP.

3. Transactions between NOIP and applicants

From April 1^st 2020, all transactions between NOIP (including Headquarters in Hanoi, Representative Offices in Da Nang City and Ho Chi Minh City) and applicants will only be conducted via the postal service or through online filing system until further notice. The payment of fees and charges by applicants is made via the postal service or by bank transfer to IP Viet Nam’s bank account at the State Treasury (pursuant to Notice No. 5241/TB-SHTT dated 27 March 2020) until further notice.

ANT Lawyers - A Law firm in Vietnam is supported by a team of experienced patent, trademark, design attorneys with qualification and skills handling full range of legal services relating to intellectual property rights in Vietnam.  We have specialized in the preparation and registration of patents, trademarks and designs for our clients. To learn more about ANT Lawyers or contact our lawyers in Vietnam for advice via email ant@antlawyers.vn or call our office at +84 28 730 86 529. Best regard,

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What Activities Being Allowed Under Social Isolation in Vietnam in Directive No. 16?

On Mar 31^st, 2020, the Vietnam Prime Minister has issued a directive on social isolation to implement some urgent measures to prevent and control Covid-19 epidemic.  There have not such incidents in the past therefore it is unclear on enforcement in legal implementation.  In our opinions, this directive is more about suggested voluntary actions of each individual.

In summary, according to the directive, social isolation is applied throughout Vietnam from Apr 1^st to Apr 15^th, 2020.  It is not prohibited to go out of the house but it is suggested only people with real needs should go out i.e. to buy food, gas, medicine and other emergencies.  Government officer will be working from home. Private enterprises are also suggested to let people to work from home.  There are business places allowed to be opened for providing essential products, and services. If the manufacturing sites and offices need to be opened to continue its production or business activities, they have to follow safety instructions i.e. not gathering more than two people, keep the distance of minimum 2m, always wear masks, clean hands frequently, disinfect the work place.

From legal aspects, there will be many unforeseen negative issues and subsequent legal consequences in disputes in labour relations, disputes in contract performance, disputes in business transactions, disputes between individuals and government authorities… arisen due to conflicts resulted from the social isolation.  It is suggested that parties refer to the contracts, regulations and prepare for proper actions.  In this case, disputed parties consider to negotiate to achieve common grounds with each others.  If negotiation fails, disputes lawyers could be referred to for prior consultations and further steps.

To learn more about the directive of the Vietnam Prime Minister, please refer to our translated version below by associates of ANT Lawyers.

DIRECTIVE on the implementation of urgent measures to prevent and control Covid-19 epidemic

The Covid-19 epidemic broke out globally, affecting over 72,000 people, nearly 3.5 million people died in over 200 countries and territories and there was no sign of stopping. In Vietnam, the number of cases is increasing rapidly day by day and there is a high risk of infection in the community. It is predicted that the disease will spread rapidly on a large scale, seriously threatening human life, human health and socio-economic of the country.

In carrying out the call of the General Secretary, President Nguyen Phu Trong, with the spirit of putting great importance to the health and life of the people above all, to continue to proactively prevent and control epidemics, Prime Minister The Government requested ministries, ministerial-level agencies, government-attached agencies and People’s Committees of provinces and centrally-run cities to concentrate on implementing the proposed epidemic prevention measures, especially Directive No. 15/CT-TTg March 27, 2020, in compliance with the instructions of the National Steering Committee for Covid-19 prevention and control, effective implementation of the following urgent measures:

1.To perform social isolation within 15 days from 0:00 on April 1^st, 2020 on a national scale according to the principle that the family is isolated from the family, the village is isolated from the village, the commune is isolated from the commune, the district is isolated from the district, the province is isolated from the province, workshops, manufacturing plants must ensure a safe distance, wear masks, disinfect according to regulations. Request people to stay at home, only to go out in case of necessity such as buying food, medicine, emergency, working at factories, production establishments, service-providing establishments and essential goods without being shut down and other emergency cases; strictly observe the minimum distance of 2m when communicating; do not concentrate more than 2 people outside the workplace, school, hospital and in public places.

The Prime Minister asked the entire population to voluntarily abide by the requirements, measures to prevent and control epidemics, actively participate in voluntary medical declaration, to fully implement measures to protect themselves and their families and participate responsibly with the prevention and control activities of functional agencies and the community; the heads of enterprises, production establishments, and goods and service business establishments are responsible for applying epidemic prevention and control measures at their establishments, ensuring the health and safety for employee.

2.The Ministry of Health, the Ministry of Public Security, the People’s Committee of Hanoi City and the People’s Committee of Ho Chi Minh City must be speedy, determined, mustering all resources and all measures to thoroughly handle “outbreak”at Bach Mai Hospital (Hanoi), Buddha Bar (Ho Chi Minh City); enlist every hour and every minute to trace and apply appropriate measures to all cases of risk, contact with patients and passers “outbreak”; continue to urge people to go back and forth through these “outbreaks” of medical reports and contact requests for testing. Request the Ministry of Public Security to coordinate with the health sector to make a list of people involved in the activities of Truong Sinh Company at risk of infection to monitor health, supervise, quarantine and promptly handle thoroughly source of the disease.

Relevant People’s Committees of provinces and cities closely coordinate with Ministries and 2 Cities to perform this task well. Carry out family isolation, medical declaration for classification, testing and concentrated isolation if necessary for those who have been to and from Bach Mai Hospital since March 12^th, 2020; assign grassroots administrations to organize close supervision at each family.

The Ministry of Public Security and the provincial People’s Committee continue to urgently carry out medical review and examination, update the health status of people who have entered from March 8^th, 2020 but have not applied isolation; make a list of people who have direct contact and close contact to classify screening, apply appropriate isolation measures (concentrated isolation, at home, accommodation establishments).

3.State agencies and units shall arrange for officials, public servants and public employee to use information technology working at home; only those cases that are really necessary such as combat duty, duty of the agency, supply of essential goods and services, processing confidential documents and other necessary tasks are required to work at the office; strengthen online meeting organization. The head of the organization is responsible for the infection of officials and employees because of not strictly observing the regulations on prevention and control of epidemics at the workplace.

4.The Ministry of Transport and People’s Committees of provinces and cities shall direct basically stop public passenger transport activities. Minimize the movement from one locality to another; stop moving from epidemic areas to other localities, except for special cases due to official duties and cases of provision of food, foodstuffs, necessities, shuttle buses for workers and experts of businesses, transporting production materials.

5.To assign the Ministry of Health:

a) Direct hospitals to implement strict procedures and management to avoid cross-contamination in hospitals; strictly control, require mandatory medical declaration for patients, family members, caregivers; only one carer per patient; stop visiting patients at health facilities. There are strict rules on admitting patients, not allowing an infected individual to affect the operation of the entire hospital.

b) Propose specific mechanisms and policies to support domestic enterprises in manufacturing medical equipment and instruments, especially ventilators, patient monitors, infusion machines, dialysis machines, reporting Deputy Prime Minister Trinh Dinh Dung directed.

c) Report to the Prime Minister the options, scenarios and emergency response in case of epidemic emergencies in the afternoon of March 31^st, 2020.

d) Organize and arrange the continuation of medical examination and treatment at Bach Mai Hospital (Hanoi), ensuring safety for health workers, health workers and people at the request of the Steering Committee and the Ministry of Health.

d) Review and handle the recommendations of the Hanoi People’s Committee, support and create conditions for Hanoi to control epidemics in the locality.

6.The Ministry of Health shall synthesize and periodically publish 2 times/day positive test results in localities, ensuring accuracy.

7.Temporarily close the main and secondary border gates for passersby from 00:00 April 1, 2020 on the border lines with Laos and Cambodia. Strictly control the entry through international border gates on road border routes; All immigrants from Laos and Cambodia must be concentrated in isolation for 14 days.

8.The Ministry of Defense shall direct, organize and expand concentrated isolation facilities, separate new and isolated cases which are not isolated; strengthening the management of trails and openings on border routes.

9.The Ministry of Public Security shall intensify directing the assurance of order and security, preventing crimes, especially in rural areas.

10.The Ministry of Finance shall direct the General Department of Customs to handle problems related to the export of cloth masks; Require insurance businesses not to introduce and deploy insurance packages related to Covid-19 epidemics.

11.The ministries, branches, localities and the press agencies continue to promote information and propaganda in support of the people’s health protection policy, rectify a number of headlines that cause confusion and misunderstandings. The person in charge of prevention and control of non-verbal epidemic causes panic among the people.

12.The Ministry of Industry and Trade and the People’s Committees of localities pay attention to ensuring essential commodities, food and foodstuffs for the people.

Signed by Vietnam Prime Minister.

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What Are Legal Requirements of Patent Description?

When patent owner registers for their patent, one of the most important documents included in the dossiers is the patent’s description. Patent is a technical solution in the form of a product or process which is intended to solve a problem by application of natural laws. Patent description is very important which is aimed to reveal the nature of a patent for examiner to consider its ability if satisfying the protected conditions. Specifically, patent description must include the description and protection scope.

Register patent in Vietnam

The description must completely disclose the nature of the technical solution sought to be registered. It must contain sufficient information based on which any person with average skill in the art can deduce the solution and also clarify the novelty, inventive steps and susceptibility of industrial application of the technical solution.

The description includes the following contents:

-Title of the invention, which briefly expresses the object or objects sought to be registered and must be brief and must not be of a promoting or advertising purpose;

-Use field of the patent: the field in which the object is utilized or to which the object is relevant;

-Technical state of the use field of the patent: The technical state of the above mentioned file at the time of;

-Technical nature of the patent: The nature of the object, in which clearly state the signs (characteristics) featuring the object and clearly indicate the signs (characteristics) which is new to those of known similar technical solutions;

-Brief description of attached drawings (if any);

-Detailed description of invention operating variations;

-Detailed description of invention operating variations;

-Benefits (effects) expected to be achieved.

Protection scope or protection claim of the patent:

The protection scope is used for determination the scope of industrial property rights to patent. The protection scope must be presented briefly and clearly in conformity with the description and drawings, making clear signs of novelty of the object sought to be protected and comply with the following regulations:

-The protection scope (claim) must be adequately demonstrated by the description, including prerequisite and sufficient substantial technical signs to identify the object, achieve the set objective and distinguish the object from a known object;

-Technical signs within the protection scope (claim) must be clear, precise and recognizable in the similar art;

-The protection scope (claim) should not invoke the description and drawings, except for invocation to parts that cannot be accurately described with words;

-If the application contains drawings illustrating the protection claim, signs presented in the protection scope (claim) may be accompanied with indication numbers put in brackets. Those indication numbers are not considered confining the protection scope (claim).

-The protection scope (claim) should (is not required to) be expressed in two sections: Restriction and Distinction. The section Restriction covers the title of the object and signs of the object that are identical to those of the latest known object and is connected to the section Distinction by the phrase distinguishable by or characterized by or equivalent expressions. The section Distinction covers signs that distinguish the object from the latest known object and are combined with signs of the section Restriction to constitute the object of protection claim.

-The protection scope (claim) may include one or more than one points. A multi-point protection scope (claim) may be used to present an object sought to be protected, with the first point (called independent point) and subsequent point(s) used to concretize the independent point (called dependent point(s)); or to present a group of objects sought to be protected, with several independent points, each presenting an object sought to be protected in the group. Such an independent point may have dependent point(s);

-A multi-point protection scope (claim) used to present a group of objects must satisfy the following requirements: Independent points presenting different objects must not invoke other points of the protection scope(claim), unless the invocation helps avoid total repetition of the content of another point; dependent points must immediately follow the independent point on which they are dependent.

Besides the description and protection scope, the patent abstract is also a compelled part in the dossier for patent registration. Accordingly, the patent abstract is used to concisely describe (with no more than 150 words) the nature of the patent. The abstract must disclose principal details of the nature of the technical solution for the informatory purpose and may contain typical drawings or formulas.

If the client needs any other information or requires for further advice, our IP attorney in Vietnam at ANT Lawyers, the IP agent in Vietnam will be available for service.

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Assignment of International Trademark Registration

In the progress of world integration, goods trading activities between countries and regions are becoming more and more developed, then the matters related to intellectual property is gradually being focused.

Assignment of International Trademark Registration

The individuals and organizations are aware of the benefit of registration the intellectual property subjects. In particular, they registered internationally for their trademark when widen their business abroad. After that, when trademark owner might wish to assign that granted certificate trademark to others for economic or other reasons.

What is the assignment of international trademark process?

In this case, international trademark was registered under Madrid agreement and Madrid Protocol, established under decision on acceptance for protection or international registration protected in Vietnam issued by National office of Intellectual property Vietnam (NOIP). Accordingly, the trademark application originated from Vietnam submitted to International office via NOIP. Thus, trademark owner whom wish to assign or register their trademark internationally pursuant to Madrid system would submit application via NOIP. However, for the application which appointed in the country which is the member of Madrid agreement, parties may request the international office to conduct the assignment procedure.

When conducting the assignment procedure via NOIP, applicant needs to prepare following documents:

-        Declaration for international trademark assignment;

-        Declaration of international office;

-        The copy of international trademark certificate in Vietnam;

-        The copy record of assignment to the local trademark;

Besides, other documents will be required based on specific cases.

If Client needs any other information or requires for further advice, our IP attorney in Vietnam at ANT Lawyers, the IP agent in Vietnam will be available for service.

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