Vietnamese Unions Push Workplace Safety Drive as German Counterparts Battle Heat Crisis
Published on 08/01/2026 at 07:23 | Redaktion boerse-global.de
The Vietnamese construction workers' union is laying groundwork for a sweeping national workplace safety initiative in 2027, with plans for a flagship launch event that will open both Workers' Month and the annual action period dedicated to occupational health. The program centers on structured dialogue forums, formal recognition of standout safety achievements, and broad public communication efforts.
A Two-Continent Push for Safer Workplaces
Pham Hoai Phuong, who chairs the union, framed workplace safety as a permanent obligation for the sector rather than a seasonal concern. His deputy, Nguyen Thanh Tung, stressed that leadership and internal coordination need reinforcement if the organization's goals are to be met. The 2027 push builds on momentum already generated this year. Vietnam's electricity workers' union, EVN, recorded 3,266 employee-led initiatives during the first half of 2026. Among those honored were 114 electrical workers, including engineer Pham Hieu Trung, recognized for operational safety measures. Prize money distributed to outstanding teams and individuals reached 555.25 million VND.
Regional engagement is also expanding. In Ninh Bình province, 100 delegates attended a conference at the Bao Minh industrial park, where union members submitted 21 recommendations covering social insurance and occupational safety. Nguyen Hai Long, the provincial union chair, made the case for direct conversation between workers and organizations as the most effective channel for change.
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German Unions Demand Heat Compensation
Across the globe, Germany's labor movement is confronting a different kind of workplace threat: extreme weather. Yasmin Fahimi, head of the German Trade Union Confederation (DGB), called in late July for an "Ausfallgeld" — a form of compensation for lost income — for employees forced off work by extreme heat. Outdoor trades, care workers, parcel delivery staff, and emergency responders face the greatest exposure. Research from Prognos, published in spring 2026, puts the economic toll of a single day above 30 degrees Celsius at 431 million euros; above 35 degrees, that figure climbs to 984 million euros.
The Social Association of Germany (SoVD) has thrown its weight behind binding minimum standards. Chairwoman Michaela Engelmeier describes extreme heat as a social health hazard that demands public investment in cooling rooms, drinking water access, and emergency planning. The German Crafts Association (ZDH) prefers flexible working hours as a response, while the Confederation of German Employers' Associations (BDA) rejects any new legal obligations outright.
Red Tape Cuts and New Rules Take Shape
The Federal Ministry of Labour and Social Affairs (BMAS) unveiled a revised deregulation plan for occupational safety in late July. By streamlining inspection requirements for electrical and other monitored installations, the ministry expects to relieve businesses of roughly 1 billion euros in annual costs. Revised testing intervals aligned with German Social Accident Insurance (DGUV) regulations alone account for 720 million euros of that relief.
New regulatory standards are already in force. Since June 1, 2026, member companies of the BGW — the professional association for health and welfare services — operate under an updated DGUV Regulation 2, which raises the threshold for simplified standard care to 20 employees. Digital forms of workplace care are now permitted under specific conditions. In construction, updated training regulations for 19 occupations took effect on August 1, 2026.
Mental Health and Substance Abuse Move Up the Agenda
Physical hazards are no longer the sole focus. A forsa survey commissioned by the DGUV found that 25 percent of employees observed substance misuse among colleagues over the past two years, with alcohol the most commonly cited substance at 21 percent. The DGUV is calling for clearer workplace rules and better communication, noting that nearly half of respondents were unaware of existing policies.
Some companies are taking direct action. Gelita, a manufacturer headquartered in Eberbach, staged a health and safety day featuring stress tests and mental health obstacle courses. Internationally, the "Manifesto for Life, Safety and Dignity on Film Sets" campaign — launched after a fatal accident in the audiovisual industry — is pushing for globally consistent safety protocols.
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New academic work supports these efforts. Udo Weis's practical handbook, published in July, examines climate change risks to occupational safety and offers guidance on integrating ISO standards 45007 and 45001 into daily operations. The timing aligns with findings from the Alfred Wegener Institute, which warns that unchecked greenhouse gas emissions could expose roughly one-third of the world's population to intensified heat-drought conditions by the end of the century.
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