Sustainable Development Chapter in the EVFTA: Searching for Decent Work

There is a substantial increase in provisions that refer to decent work in the Trade and Sustainable Development (TSD) Chapter in the new-generation European Union (EU) Free Trade Agreements (FTAs) era, notably the EVFTA – the most comprehensive agreement ever signed between the EU and a developing country. This research provides novel insights on the commitment to decent work in the second-generation EU FTAs, with a specific emphasis on the EVFTA. By employing a variety of approaches, the research elucidates the structure and substance of decent work commitments in the comparison between the EVFTA and other second-generation EU FTAs. This paper simultaneously investigates the nature of Vietnam’s obligations with respect to decent work commitment under the EVFTA as well as the legal context of decent work in Vietnam. In conclusion, the research proposes recommendations that could help Vietnam and other EU partner countries effectively implement decent work provisions in the context of trade and development, with the goal of achieving global sustainable development.