Sarcouncil Journal of Education and Sociology

Abstract: In the context of deepening globalization and the restructuring of global supply chains, ensuring responsible business practices in labour conditions has become an inevitable requirement for both states and enterprises, with a view to protecting human rights, improving the quality of employment, and promoting sustainable development. This article aims to analyse the theoretical and legal foundations of responsible business practices in labour conditions, assess the current state of implementation in Viet Nam, and propose policy and legal recommendations to enhance the effectiveness of labour protection in the new era. The study employs a combination of research methods, including literature review and synthesis, legal analysis, case studies, and comparative policy analysis, underpinned by a human-centred approach. Data sources include international labour standards developed by the International Labour Organization (ILO), the United Nations Guiding Principles on Business and Human Rights (UNGPs), the OECD Due Diligence Guidance for Responsible Business Conduct, as well as Viet Nam’s labour law framework and relevant inspection reports and practical cases. The findings indicate that Viet Nam has made significant progress in internalizing international labour standards into its domestic legal system. Nevertheless, substantial bottlenecks remain in the enforcement of regulations on working hours, occupational safety and health, and in the governance of labour conditions within lower tiers of supply chains and the informal economy. On this basis, the article argues for a shift from a formalistic compliance-based approach towards a risk-based and preventive governance model, alongside the gradual expansion of corporate responsibility across supply chains. Such an approach would contribute to the establishment of a safe, fair, and sustainable labour environment in Viet Nam.