The inevitable transformation of trade unions

Nghe An Trade Union officially took the first steps on the journey of transformation in the new era.

Determination of the whole system

Objectives of the implementation planResolution No. 02-NQ/TWof the Politburo on innovating the organization and operation of the Vietnam Trade Union in the new situation is to build a strong and comprehensive Nghe An Trade Union organization, capable of representing and protecting the legitimate and legal rights and interests of workers; proactively adapt and be flexible in performing functions and tasks, meeting practical requirements; be a strong political organization of the Provincial Party Committee, a bridge, maintaining close ties between the Party Committee, the government and workers; worthy of being the largest representative organization, the center for gathering and uniting citizens and workers; contributing to building an increasingly strong Nghe An working class.

Nghe An Provincial Party Committee has issued a plan to implement Resolution No. 02-NQ/TW of the Politburo on innovation of organization and operation of Vietnam Trade Union. DH: DT

The plan has thoroughly grasped the situation, causes, guiding viewpoints, objectives, tasks and main solutions in Resolution No. 02-NQ/TW, creating high unity in the awareness and action of Party committees at all levels, authorities, cadres, Party members and the entire political system in the whole province. From there, proactively develop programs and plans for implementation that are accurate and effective, creating comprehensive and strong development steps in the spirit of Resolution No. 02-NQ/TW.

The innovation of the trade union organization is demonstrated by specific targets. Accordingly, by 2023, the province strives to have 175,000 union members, of which about 46% are workers in enterprises; over 80% of enterprises and units with trade unions sign collective labor agreements, organize labor conferences, and dialogue at the workplace. Implement the project to build trade union institutions in Bac Vinh Industrial Park; the project to upgrade and repair the Provincial Labor Culture House.

By 2025, the province strives to have 190,000 union members, of which about 50% are workers.in businesses; 100% of enterprises with 25 or more workers have established grassroots trade unions, the rate of union membership reaches 95%; over 80% of enterprises have trade unions to negotiate and sign collective labor agreements, organize worker conferences, and dialogue at the workplace.

By 2030, strive to reach 230,000 union members, of which over 60% of union members are workers in enterprises; 90% or more of workers in enterprises with unions are union members; in places where there is no organization representing workers, the majority of workers are gathered and participate in a number of union activities; 85% of units and enterprises with unions sign collective labor agreements, organize worker conferences, and dialogue at the workplace; 100% of industrial parks in the province have institutions serving workers.

Workers of Thung Lai Gas Lighter Manufacturing Company Limited. Photo: Hoang Trung

By 2045, most workers at the workplace will be union members; 99% of enterprises with trade unions will sign collective labor agreements, organize employee conferences, and dialogue at the workplace.

The plan also proposed 6 tasks and solutions to realize the above targets. These are: strengthening the Party's leadership over trade union organizations and activities; Innovating and improving the effectiveness of gathering and mobilizing union members and workers; focusing on developing union members and establishing grassroots unions; Building a team of professional union officials with sufficient qualities and capacity to meet the requirements of tasks in the new situation; Innovating the content and methods of operation of Nghe An Trade Union to meet the requirements of the new situation; Building strong enough financial resources to perform well the functions and tasks of the trade union organization; Strengthening and improving the effectiveness of coordination between state agencies, the Fatherland Front, socio-political organizations, economic organizations, social organizations and trade unions.

Expect changes

That is the sharing of many union members, union members, and workers in the enterprise sector before the contents of Resolution No. 02-NQ/TW dated June 12, 2021 on innovation of organization and operation of Vietnam Trade Union in the new situation. This innovation not only brings rights and benefits to union members in general but also has many positive impacts on many other subjects.

Nghia Dan district grassroots trade union cooks for repatriated workers in quarantine areas. Photo: PV

Established in 2012, BSE Electronics Vietnam Co., Ltd. initially encountered many difficulties in its operations. The foreign business owner and Vietnamese workers not only had differences in language and culture, but also conflicting interests and viewpoints. Unable to resolve the tensions, strikes broke out. Chairman of the Company's Trade Union - Mr. Nguyen Anh Thuong recalled: "Under the care, direction and guidance of the Southeast Economic Zone Trade Union Executive Committee, the Company's Trade Union Executive Committee explained, guided and discussed with the company's leaders. After that, the business owner clearly understood the importance of the trade union organization, coordinated with the trade union to implement activities to care for the lives of workers. In the role of being in charge of expertise and leading trade union activities, I realized that the trade union organization plays an extremely important role as a bridge in the production and business activities of the enterprise, on behalf of the business owner, grasping the thoughts and aspirations of the workers, reflecting opinions, encouraging and motivating workers to be proactive and conscious in production and labor, thereby helping the enterprise in arranging labor reasonably to maximize the efficiency of resources".

Organizing monthly birthday parties for employees is a regular activity at many trade unions. Photo: PV

Two months ago, during the recent outbreak, the Dien Chau District Labor Federation had a new grassroots union - Nhat Huy Stone Processing Joint Stock Company, a member of Nhat Huy Group. More than anyone else, the leaders of these businesses understand the importance of trade unions, especially in difficult times. At Viet Home Stone Joint Stock Company (Nghia Dan) - a business also belonging to this group, the role of the trade union has been demonstrated very successfully. Mr. Nguyen Huy Cong - Chairman of the Viet Home Stone Joint Stock Company's Trade Union shared: "When the epidemic comes, when businesses are struggling and workers are in trouble, that is when the trade union plays its role most clearly. Not only providing material support, the trade union is also a spiritual support for both businesses and workers, a bridge of empathy and motivation for both sides. Understanding that, the group decided to establish a trade union at all subsidiaries."

From her perspective, Ms. Dang Thi Thuy, a worker renting a room at Bac Vinh Industrial Park, confided: “The activities of the trade union organization are increasingly substantial and practical. The trade union is not only present in the company and factory but also goes to the workers' dormitory to share and support, which makes us very grateful. That is why we feel more secure when working in enterprises with trade unions. In the contents of the plan to reform Nghe An trade unions, I have special expectations for trade union institutions and consulting centers, hotlines to support workers. Surely union members and workers will benefit a lot from these innovations.”

Mr. Kha Van Tam - Chairman of the Provincial Labor Federation visited and presented gifts to workers in difficult circumstances. Photo: DT

Looking at the targets for union member development in the coming period, Mr. Nguyen Chi Cong - Vice Chairman of the Provincial Federation of Labor emphasized: "This target requiresNghe An Trade Union levelsThere must be more practical solutions, not leaving any gaps or white spaces for trade unions in enterprises. The first and most important solution in the coming time is to innovate the way trade unions operate, especially trade unions in enterprises, so that workers can truly trust in the support of trade unions. Enterprise trade unions must bring many material and spiritual benefits to their members, creating a difference in the interests of union members and workers who are not union members.