Lesson 1: “Socialization” in caring for workers
Workers are considered the fundamental productive force of society, a decisive factor in national development, playing a crucial role in fulfilling the country's political, economic, cultural, and social tasks, and contributing to national construction and defense. In the current political context, after Vietnam's accession to the CPTPP and the Labor Law allowing the establishment of worker representative organizations, attracting, retaining, and developing union members and workers has become a vital task for the Vietnam Trade Union. By creatively applying President Ho Chi Minh's lessons on mass mobilization, the Trade Union can effectively accomplish this task.
Lesson 1:
"Socialization" in
taking care of workers
Sharing support and caring for the practical interests of union members is one of the core tasks of the trade union organization. Through various methods of propaganda, mobilization, and resource contribution from union members, businesses, and socio-political organizations, as well as other resources, the Nghe An Trade Union has effectively implemented many welfare programs that bring practical benefits to tens of thousands of union members and workers.
Practical and concrete values
President Ho Chi Minh always emphasized the need to build a team of dedicated, loyal, and wholeheartedly committed cadres, civil servants, and public employees. For the trade union organization, only through dedication, loyalty, and wholehearted commitment can trade union officials bring real value and tangible benefits to union members and workers.
“The 40 million VND from the ‘Trade Union Shelter’ Fund donated by the Nghe An Trade Union is incredibly valuable to my family. I know that this money not only represents the sharing and mutual support of union members and workers for those in difficult circumstances like my family, but also the result of the campaigning and mobilization efforts of trade union officials, and the heartfelt dedication of those working in the trade union. My dream of a sturdy house has come true; now I can work with peace of mind, and my children have better living conditions…” – Mr. Lo Van Quy couldn't hide his emotion when speaking at the “Trade Union Shelter” house handover ceremony.
Mr. Lo Van Quy is a union member of the People's Committee of Hanh Dich commune, under the Que Phong District Labor Federation. In September 2022, his house was completely destroyed by the remnants of Typhoon No. 4 (Noru). As a member of an ethnic minority group living in a remote area, his wife works in agriculture, and they have young children to raise. The family's economy mainly depends on his meager salary. After the tragedy, without a place to live, his family had to stay with relatives. Life for the whole family was extremely difficult and arduous, and for him, the dream of a new house seemed too far away. Fortunately, the Nghe An Trade Union's "Warm Home" Fund became a "lifeline" for union members and workers in difficult circumstances like Mr. Quy. Having learned about Mr. Quy's family circumstances, the Que Phong District Labor Union encouraged him to strive to realize his dream of a sturdy house… With 40 million VND in support from the Trade Union's Shelter Fund, he was motivated to borrow more money from friends and colleagues. After more than half a year of construction, the house, less than 100 square meters, was completed and put into use.
In the sweltering heat of August, the atmosphere inside the canteen of Wooin Vina Co., Ltd. (Dien Chau district) was incredibly cheerful and relaxed. The 2000 workers were delighted not only because many guests wearing blue union uniforms were present at today's lunch, but also because the meal was more special than usual. Specifically, in today's "Union Meal" program, instead of the usual 20,000 VND meal, each worker received a meal worth 50,000 VND, including rice, soup, boiled chicken, beef soup, pork sausage, stir-fried beans, and a container of yogurt.
Mr. Nguyen Van Tung, a union member of Wooin Vina Co., Ltd., shared: “I am very happy to participate in the “Union Meal Program”. Previously, through the “Summer Cooling” program, we also received additional support with refreshing and nutritious drinks. It's not just about the meals; we feel the care and support from the union and the company's leadership in implementing these programs. From this, the workers all feel grateful and strive harder in their work.”
Expressing her gratitude, Ms. Nguyen Thi Nguyet, a worker at Trong Phuc Garment Company in Quynh Luu district, shared: "As a woman, due to my busy work schedule and limited finances, I rarely proactively seek reproductive health check-ups. Recently, after participating in the free health check-up program organized by the Quynh Luu District Labor Union and my company, I discovered I had a tumor in my uterus. After the examination, the doctors in the program diligently guided me to seek further specialized treatment. If it had been detected later, I don't know what my condition would have been. From the bottom of my heart, I am very grateful that the union organized such a practical and meaningful program."
Among the many practical programs organized by the Provincial Labor Union, the "Connecting with Love" summer camp for orphaned and disadvantaged children of workers left a lasting impression. Following the event, Ms. Pham Thi Hai, a garment worker at Wooin Vina Co., Ltd., couldn't hide her emotions, confiding: “My daughter was very attached to her father, so when he passed away, she missed him terribly. From a chubby child, she became frail, quiet, and shy. But after her first time away from home participating in the summer camp, she changed a lot. She is cheerful, open, and more confident, proactively sharing with me about the trip, the teachers and friends at the camp, and her thoughts… I was incredibly surprised by this change.”
The stories and shared experiences of Mr. Quy, Mr. Tung, Ms. Nguyet, and Ms. Hai are small details in a larger picture, encompassing thousands of stories about programs caring for union members and workers in Nghe An province. These are also the "sweet fruits" of the effective grassroots mobilization model that Nghe An province's trade union has implemented for many years.
Multiply the power
In his article "Mass Mobilization," President Ho Chi Minh wrote: "Mass mobilization is the mobilization of all the forces of every single citizen, without leaving anyone out, to form a nationwide force to carry out the necessary tasks, the tasks assigned by the Government and the Party." Imbued with Uncle Ho's teachings, and fulfilling its organizational functions and duties, the Nghe An Trade Union has applied many creative approaches to multiply its strength. Not merely drawing from its annual operating budget, and leveraging its position, the Nghe An Trade Union has mobilized social resources to care for the material and spiritual well-being of its members, workers, and laborers.
Mr. Nguyen Van Thuc, Head of the Legal Policy and Labor Relations Department of the Provincial Labor Union, shared: “For the ‘Trade Union Shelter’ program to be successful, all levels of trade unions must regularly disseminate information and explain the program's significance to workers, encouraging union members to actively participate. The provincial trade union has also developed specific and clear criteria to facilitate quick and convenient application processing. Simultaneously, the promotion of the trade union shelter program has been widely publicized. When workers understand the program's significance, they will participate actively and effectively. Furthermore, the provincial trade union has also sought support from the Golden Heart Fund, the Central Labor Newspaper, and trade union shelter funds from other provinces and cities to support the construction of trade union shelters for union members in difficult circumstances.”
With a support level of 40 million VND for new construction and 20 million VND for repairs, since the issuance of Resolution 02 of the Politburo on June 12, 2021, the Trade Union Shelter Fund has helped build and repair 280 houses with a total amount of over 9 billion VND, and built 2 boarding houses for teachers with an amount of 1 billion VND. The attention and support from trade unions at all levels will provide disadvantaged workers in the province with additional support and motivation to overcome their circumstances, strive in labor and production, and contribute to building strong agencies and units. The program has also contributed to achieving the goals of the nationwide emulation movement to eliminate temporary and dilapidated houses in Nghe An province.
The series of "Member Welfare" programs, offering free and discounted benefits exclusively for union members and workers at fairs, shopping destinations, hospitals, clinics, and extracurricular classes for workers' children, is also the result of persistent negotiation, propaganda, and advocacy by the trade union organization with business owners. The messages "workers are valuable assets" and "caring for workers is caring for the business" have become the common spirit in all activities. From 2019 to 2023, 71 agreements on member welfare were signed, benefiting over 30,000 workers. These benefits focused on healthcare, consumer support, transportation discounts, and recreational activities.
There are many other activities caring for union members and workers that bear the "brand" of the Trade Union organization, with the joint efforts of many units. According to statistics, the Trade Unions at all levels in Nghe An have supported and mobilized support for union members and workers affected by the Covid-19 pandemic with a total amount of more than 27 billion VND. In the three years since the implementation of Resolution 02, the total expenditure for "Workers' Month" activities was nearly 20 billion VND; the total amount for organizing "Tet Reunion" activities was more than 77 billion VND; support for 280 "Trade Union Shelter" houses with a total amount of more than 9 billion VND; construction of 2 boarding houses for teachers with an amount of 1 billion VND; the "Loan Program for Job Creation" has disbursed 1.3 billion VND…
It can be said that, thanks to skillful mass mobilization, trade unions not only effectively fulfill their roles and responsibilities but also mobilize the participation and cooperation of businesses, workers, and resources from socio-political organizations to better care for union members and workers. As a result, the position of the trade union organization is increasingly affirmed and honored.
