About 100 representatives from domestic and international trade union organizations gathered at the Asia-Europe Meeting (ASEM) Social Partners Forum in Vietnam's capital Hanoi on Wednesday to discuss issues on labor and employment.

Addressing the forum, Vietnamese Deputy Minister of Labor, Invalids and Social Affairs Nguyen Thanh Hoa said that the world is facing with many challenges in labor and employment issues amid global financial crisis.

Since 2008, over 40 million laborers among ASEM member countries have lost their jobs, and the number is expected to increase in 2013, Hoa said.

Apart from the efforts of governments, the ASEM social partners play a crucial role in contributing initiatives to overcome impacts of global crisis towards sustainable development, Hoa added.

During the forum, representatives discussed measures to create more jobs for young people and vulnerable groups.

The ASEM Social Partners Forum is held prior to the fourth ASEM Labor and Employment Ministers' Conference to be held in Hanoi on Oct. 25. Endite