Disruption Continued: Protracted supply chain issues in Vietnam

Although textile and garment producing countries are restoring production to pre-pandemic levels, Vietnam finds itself facing survival challenges. Initially spared major COVID-19 outbreaks, the country faced an almost total lockdown in the latter half of 2021. With many textile and garment factories shutting down completely, workers availed themselves of the opportunity to return home when allowed – with many failing to return as facilities reopened.
What does the future hold for one of the world’s largest producers? Will workers return eventually, or does the country face a systemic labour shortage requiring a new approach to recruitment? And what do good purchasing practices in Vietnam look like now factory owners are hesitant to take on too many orders for fear of being unable to meet deadlines due to a lack of qualified staff or facing resistance from buyers to pay for anti-epidemic costs?
Speakers at this online seminar will provide a snapshot of the main obstacles to restoring production and examine the consequences of this from the perspective of major stakeholders. They will also provide an overview of the current situation and what 2022 might bring for Vietnam.

SPEAKERS:

Dr. Do Quynh Chi, Director, Research Centre for Employment Relations (Trung Tâm Nghiên cứu Quan hệ Lao động), Vietnam 

Dr. Do Quynh Chi founded the Research Centre for Employment Relations in 2007, and has held positions at the Ministry of Labour, Invalids and Social Affairs and the ILO. She received her doctorate in industrial relations from the University of Sydney, and a master’s degree in international relations from the University of Cambridge. She has been a labour researcher, trainer, and consultant for around two decades, with most of her experience in manufacturing industries. 

Mr. David Birmbaum, Founder, Third Horizon Ltd 

David Birnbaum has a lifetime of experience in the international garment export industry solving problems, developing solutions and implementing one-of-a-kind strategies. He has worked in 36 countries, in which he has constructed, operated and owned factories; taught advanced courses at FIT’s graduate school, the Institute of Textile and Clothing, the Hong Kong Polytechnic University and authored and published 11 books, each tackling our industry's most pressing issues. He currently writes and publishes the Birnbaum Report and monthly articles for Just Style Magazine. Birnbaum is a qualified patternmaker.