Lesson 2: Attracting new members - A vital task.
In the new situation, developing union membership and establishing grassroots trade unions are considered vital tasks for the trade union organization. Through a process of changing perceptions, creativity, and reflection, the Nghe An Trade Union has creatively applied President Ho Chi Minh's lessons in mass mobilization work, overcoming difficulties to achieve proud results.
Lesson 2:
Attracting new members -
A mission for survival.
In the new context, developing union membership and establishing grassroots trade unions are considered vital tasks for the trade union organization. Through a process of changing perceptions, creativity, and reflection, the Nghe An Trade Union has creatively applied President Ho Chi Minh's lessons in mass mobilization work, overcoming difficulties to achieve proud results.
Difficulties in developing union membership.
“Trade unions are facing many difficulties and challenges due to economic recession, labor fluctuations, and the risk of labor relations conflicts… At the same time, the Labor Code stipulates that businesses are allowed to establish organizations representing workers. The Comprehensive and Progressive Trans-Pacific Partnership Agreement (CPTPP) is also in effect, allowing other worker representative organizations to operate. Given this reality, trade unions at all levels in Nghe An need to recognize that developing union membership and establishing grassroots trade unions is not just a task, but a vital one!” – Mr. Kha Van Tam, Chairman of the Provincial Federation of Labor, emphasized at a conference on membership development and the establishment of grassroots trade unions. This spirit has been instilled throughout the entire system with specific targets for each grassroots unit.
Given its unique management characteristics, the Southeast Economic Zone Trade Union has always been assigned the highest membership development targets in the province. Sharing her thoughts on this "vital task," Ms. Hoang Thi Thu Huong, President of the Southeast Economic Zone Trade Union, said: "Mobilizing the establishment of grassroots trade unions and developing membership has never been an easy task. Since the pandemic, this task has become even more difficult. Many business owners do not properly understand the role and function of trade unions, believing that establishing a union is time-consuming and troublesome, deliberately ignoring and refusing to welcome trade union officials when they come to persuade them, even after prior appointments. In addition, many businesses genuinely struggle to gather workers and establish trade union organizations, especially those with frequent personnel changes or difficult business and production situations. Limited allowances and the heavy workload of trade union officials are also major reasons why many units hesitate to establish trade unions."
One of the industries with a large workforce but difficult to develop union membership is the fishing industry. As of the end of April 2022, Nghe An province only had one established fishing union: the Dien Bich Fishing Union. Explaining this, Ms. Phan Thi Trang, Head of the Organization Department of the Provincial Labor Federation, said: “Due to the nature of the work, it is very difficult to gather and mobilize workers in the fishing industry compared to many other industries. Moreover, the lives of people in this industry are already difficult, and many of them do not understand the concept of a trade union and do not like being bound by obligations or responsibilities. Barriers in education level and differences in life views also make mobilization even more challenging. Most of them will not open up to outsiders trying to recruit them, only trusting those close to them.”
In Vinh City, despite being considered a potential area with many businesses, the work of developing union membership and establishing grassroots trade unions still faces certain obstacles. “Most non-state-owned enterprises in the city are small and medium-sized, mainly family-run service businesses, and business owners tend to avoid establishing Party and union organizations. Furthermore, functional agencies have not yet coordinated efforts to inspect and supervise the implementation of policies and regulations for workers in these enterprises, especially the implementation of the Labor Law and the Trade Union Law. If violations occur, the handling is not resolute or effective, leading to businesses becoming complacent. Subjectively, we cannot ignore the fact that the number of specialized staff is small, lacking experience and skills in propaganda, mobilization, and persuasion of employers and workers,” said Mr. Thai Le Cuong, Chairman of the Vinh City Federation of Labor.
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The obstacles faced by the Vinh City Trade Union are also common difficulties for many district and sectoral trade unions, especially in mountainous areas. Localities such as Quy Chau, Que Phong, and Ky Son are considered "blank areas" or weak points in developing union membership and establishing grassroots trade unions for many years. This is also why many full-time trade union officials have complained about the difficulties and stated that they cannot fulfill the assigned targets at the "Work on developing union membership and establishing grassroots trade unions in the period 2024-2028" workshop.
Increase "quality" - boost "quantity"
Despite difficulties and obstacles, the Nghe An Trade Union has persistently adhered to its set targets with the spirit of: The greater the difficulties, the more effort must be made. With the motto of focusing activities on the grassroots, using the grassroots as the operational area, and targeting union members and workers, trade union officials have creatively applied the lessons of mass mobilization from President Ho Chi Minh to overcome difficulties and achieve and surpass the targets set in the work of developing union membership and establishing grassroots trade unions.
To leverage the power of coordination and secure support from agencies and units, the Provincial Labor Union has established a Steering Committee for membership development, a Support Team for developing grassroots trade union organizations in enterprises, and a plan for membership development each year. Ms. Phan Thi Trang, Head of the Organization Department of the Provincial Labor Union, said: “The Support Team for developing grassroots trade union organizations in enterprises has selected units with a large number of enterprises without trade union organizations and those units still facing difficulties in promoting membership development and establishing grassroots trade unions to provide advice, support, and assistance. From there, many higher-level trade unions have also established membership development steering committees, set membership development targets for each term, and advised the Standing Committees of district, city, and town Party Committees to issue documents and directives on membership development and the establishment of grassroots trade unions.”
Understanding that, for direct laborers, "it's impossible to rely solely on newspapers, books, rallies, slogans, leaflets, and directives," trade union officials have demonstrated the benefits of joining the trade union through concrete activities and programs. These include direct support and emergency assistance programs from the Provincial Federation of Labor for union members and workers on their journey home and in rented accommodations; Tet reunion celebrations for disadvantaged workers implemented at all levels; and a hotline always ready to advise and protect the legitimate rights and interests of workers…
At the Southeast Economic Zone Trade Union, union officials not only leverage the support and cooperation of the Southeast Economic Zone Management Board from the very beginning of each enterprise's establishment, but also simultaneously implement many other practical measures. “We assign specific areas to each union official to understand and grasp the characteristics of the business and production situation of the enterprise, and to monitor the implementation of the Labor Law within the enterprise… During these direct working sessions, union officials will have many opportunities to both inspect and monitor the enterprise's situation and build relationships with the company's human resources staff. The advice and answers provided by union officials form the basis for building the organization's reputation and position in the eyes of the enterprise. When they need our enthusiastic support, they will also be ready to help and influence the business owner when we need it. In some enterprises, union officials have to persistently visit up to 5 times before successfully persuading them. Furthermore, before proposing the establishment of a grassroots union, union officials must demonstrate to the workers the benefits of joining. To achieve this, higher-level unions need to proactively show concern and provide support with a sincere attitude, even before a union organization is established.” "We need to develop programs that are widespread, long-term, and specific," said Mr. Vuong An Nguyen, a trade union official in the Southeast Economic Zone.
With its unique characteristic of concentrating many businesses and employing over 32,000 non-state sector workers across 5 districts and towns (Vinh, Nghi Loc, Hung Nguyen, Dien Chau, and Hoang Mai), in May 2024 alone, the Trade Union officials of the Southeast Economic Zone conducted more than 20 direct meetings with businesses to disseminate information and mobilize support. In this area, the Trade Union organization is "defined" by workers through a series of memorable events such as the "New Life Rhythm Dance" competition, "Elegant Youth," and "Workers' Sports Tournament"... Following each successful program, many units have applied to join the trade union. With a pioneering and practical spirit, the Trade Union of the Southeast Economic Zone also initiated and implemented the "Trade Union Meal" program in 2021, receiving widespread support and appreciation from union members and workers. In 2024, the Trade Union of the Southeast Economic Zone was tasked with establishing 8 grassroots trade unions and recruiting 7,600 new members. However, by the end of July, the unit had already established 11 grassroots trade unions and recruited 7,600 new members.
In Quynh Luu, the lesson of "being close to the people" helped the District Labor Union establish two fisheries unions with 2,368 members. The union officials of the Quynh Luu District Labor Union have worked with all their heart and perseverance, accompanying and sharing with fishermen for a long time. “Before persuading us to join the trade union, the trade union officials in Quynh Luu district contacted the local government to learn about us and build close relationships with influential figures in the fishing community. Instead of formal meetings with serious desks in a meeting hall, we truly cared and listened when they came to visit us on the days the boats returned, played football with the village youth, ate meals with fishermen at sea, and visited and supported fishermen in difficult circumstances… From that closeness, we felt their sincerity, saw the benefits of joining the trade union, and agreed to establish a union,” shared Mr. Nguyen Van Lien, Chairman of the Dien Bich Commune Fishery Union.
In the first six months of 2024, the Vinh City Federation of Labor established 27 new grassroots trade unions (exceeding the annual target by 450%), developed 617 new unions (reaching 176.3% of the annual target), and achieved 90% of the target set by the 18th Congress of the Vinh City Federation of Labor for the 2023-2028 term regarding membership development and the establishment of grassroots trade unions. These impressive figures are the "sweet fruits" of the creative and innovative efforts of this organization. Online competitions, trade union official contests, worker forums, sports events, etc., organized by the Vinh City Federation of Labor, have always received high levels of participation and widespread impact. “We have consistently approached and fostered friendly relations with employers so that they understand, agree with, and support the trade union, while also investing human resources, time, and funds in propaganda work to develop union membership and establish grassroots trade unions. At the same time, we have diversified the forms of propaganda to suit each target group,” said Mr. Thai Le Cuong, Chairman of the Vinh City Federation of Labor.
In 2024, the Provincial Labor Federation set a target of establishing 40 grassroots trade unions and developing 15,600 union members. In the first nine months of the year, the province admitted 19,838 new members, an increase of 15,696 members compared to the beginning of the year, achieving 100.62% of the target set by the Vietnam General Confederation of Labor for 2024; 73 out of 40 grassroots trade unions were newly established, reaching 182.5% of the annual target; and 40 grassroots trade unions with over 25 members were established, reaching 200% of the 2024 target. Simultaneously, two grassroots trade unions were established in the informal sector… Notably, in May alone, during the 2024 Workers' Month, trade unions at all levels established 31 new grassroots trade unions with over 2,500 members. This is the best achievement in terms of propaganda and mobilization to attract union members to the trade union organization ever recorded by the Nghe An Provincial Trade Union.
Recognizing that Party development among trade union members is a crucial aspect of strengthening the working-class nature of the Party and contributing to enhancing its leadership capacity and fighting strength, the Nghe An Provincial Trade Union has focused on identifying, nurturing, and recommending outstanding union members to Party organizations. In the first eight months of 2024, the province recommended 1,668 outstanding union members to participate in Party membership training courses. To achieve these results, trade union levels visited individual enterprises to assess the situation of Party members; encouraged enterprises to establish Party organizations; and advised and proposed to the government to open Party awareness training courses specifically for workers outside of regular working hours.
These achievements are the result of the synchronized and innovative implementation of numerous solutions by trade unions at all levels in the province. Each official and Party member of the Nghe An Trade Union organization deeply understands that they are the Party's mass mobilization cadres and a reliable support for the workers. Attracting and gathering a large number of union members and workers into the trade union organization has become a vital task, not only strengthening the trade union organization but also consolidating class power within the political apparatus.
