New FTAS as catalysts for gender equality: The case of Vietnam's compliance with ILO standards on gender discrimination

This research delves into the relationship between new-generation Free Trade Agreements (FTAs) and the ILO Discrimination (Employment and Occupation) Convention 1958 (C111), illustrating how the international trade instruments facilitate the integration and implementation of gender-based discrimination standards. As Vietnam becomes increasingly involved with various new FTAs, this study critically evaluates the extent to which such standards are effectively engaged and enforced within the national labour context, which is observed through the process of internalizing C111 into domestic law. Using a legal comparative and analytical approach, the research examines the opportunities and challenges of aligning Vietnamese domestic laws with international gender discrimination labour standards. The findings underscore that employing a male-centric strategy within the labour legal framework emerges as a potential tool for promoting gender equality in employment and aligning Vietnam's commitments to international gender discrimination standards. The significance of this study lies not only in its approach to addressing persistent inequalities within the labour context but also in its innovative strategy for promoting gender equality sustainably, based on the State's commitments to international trade. This dual focus enhances the contribution of the research, providing a comprehensive and progressive framework for understanding and tackling gender issues in the labour market.