Good practices in establishing grassroots unions

Difficulty… long term

The task of mobilizing the establishment of grassroots unions and developing union members has never been an easy one for trade unions. After the impact of the Covid-19 pandemic on the economy, this task has become even more difficult, especially mobilizing the establishment of grassroots unions in long-standing enterprises.

Developing union members and establishing grassroots unions is one of the tasks that Nghe An trade unions at all levels pay special attention to. Photo: DVCC

As an active unit in mobilizing the establishment of grassroots trade unions and developing union members for many years, more than anyone else, the officials of the Dong Nam Economic Zone Trade Union understand the barriers to bringing trade unions into enterprises. “Previously, enterprises and employees refused to join trade unions because they did not want to pay union fees. However, after the Labor Law stipulated that paying union fees is mandatory for both enterprises with and without trade unions, this is no longer a reason for refusal. However, there are still many business owners who do not correctly perceive the role and function of trade unions, thinking that establishing a trade union is a waste of time and a hassle…”, said Ms. Nguyen Hoang Yen, an official of the Dong Nam Economic Zone Trade Union.

Ms. Yen also shared that refusing or denying the role of trade unions is only part of the story. In some businesses, employers ignore and do not welcome the working delegation even though they have scheduled an appointment in advance. In addition, many businesses have real difficulties in gathering workers and establishing trade unions, especially in businesses that frequently change personnel or have difficult business and production situations. This difficulty does not only exist in business and production businesses but also exists in businesses providing specific services in other industries.

Dien Bich Commune is the first locality in the province to establish a fishing union. Photo: Thanh Quynh

One of the industries that concentrates a lot of labor but is difficultMembership developmentis the fishing profession. As of the end of April 2022, Nghe An province has only one established fishing union, the Dien Bich Fishing Union. Explaining this, Ms. Phan Thi Trang - Head of the Organizing Committee of the Provincial Labor Federation said: “Due to the nature of the work, it is very difficult for workers in the fishing profession to concentrate and mobilize like many other professions. Moreover, the lives of people in this profession are inherently difficult, many of them do not understand the trade union organization and do not like to be bound by obligations or responsibilities. Barriers in qualifications as well as differences in life views are also a reason why mobilization is more difficult. Most of them will not open their hearts when listening to outsiders' mobilization but only trust those close to them. However, Nghe An Labor Union always determines that,fishermanis one of the subjects that needs special attention, not only because of the growth of the organization but also because of their role in preserving the sea and islands of their homeland".

Blend in with the workers

In coastal districtQuynh LuuWith the enthusiasm and creativity of union officials, 2 fishing unions were established with a total of 2,368 members. This is the result of a long process of mobilizing, sharing, and accompanying fishermen.

Mr. To Van Thang - Chairman of Quynh Luu District Labor Federation. Photo: Diep Thanh

Sharing about this process, Mr. To Van Thang - Chairman of the Quynh Luu District Labor Union said: “Before starting to implement, we met with the Party Committee and the government to discuss policies and learn about the unit's activities first. After understanding the situation and connecting with prestigious people at the unit, the District Labor Union will coordinate with the local government to organize meetings and mobilize. However, we should not have high expectations for these meetings, because in reality it is very difficult to gather all the crew members, even though we deliberately chose a day with a full moon when few people go fishing to organize. There are fishermen who do not come because they are tired, there are fishermen who do not come because the ship owner does not allow it, there are fishermen who come for a while and then leave, there are fishermen who come and put their feet on the table to talk privately... They are used to a free life, eating the wind and talking, so it is impossible to convince them if we only follow the old ways of doing things”.

Faced with that reality, Mr. To Van Thang decided to blend in with the workers and become their friend first. So, on weekends, the head of the Quynh Luu District Trade Union came to the fishermen as a friend in shorts and a t-shirt, with trivial everyday stories, with football matches, drinking parties with fishermen... Gradually, without knowing when, Mr. Thang became a close friend of the fishermen of Son Hai and Quynh Long. They trusted and loved him as if he were a fisherman.

Fishermen of Son Hai commune share at the ceremony announcing the decision to establish a fishing union. Photo: Diep Thanh

“To be closer to workers and fishermen, we need to be very sincere and open and forget all our positions and positions. In addition, the District Trade Union still proactively supports, presents flags, gifts, and visits fishermen in difficult circumstances. Above all, trade union officials must be equipped with a strong will and solid knowledge to be able to support, advise, and answer people's questions about policies and regimes related to workers and trade union organizations..." - Mr. Thang confided. From this approach, the District Labor Federation successfully established 2 fishing unions in Quynh Long and Son Hai communes. In particular, the event to announce the Decision to establish a grassroots trade union in Son Hai commune took place in an unprecedentedly orderly and serious manner among fishermen. In addition, during the Workers' Month of 2022, the Quynh Luu District Labor Federation also established 2 new grassroots trade unions in the enterprise sector with 262 union members.

Persistent advocacy and a firm grasp of the law are also the keywords that the Dong Nam Economic Zone Trade Union applies in mobilizing the establishment of grassroots trade unions. Accordingly, for units that are difficult to mobilize, the Dong Nam Economic Zone Trade Union assigns areas to each union official to have a firm grasp of the characteristics of the business and production situation of the enterprise, and to monitor the implementation of the Labor Law at the enterprise...

Mr. Vuong An Nguyen - Chairman of the Dong Nam Economic Zone Trade Union shared: “During direct working sessions, union officials will have many opportunities to both inspect and monitor the business situation and build relationships with the company's human resources team. The advice and answers from union officials are the basis for building the reputation and position of the organization in the eyes of businesses. When they need it, we enthusiastically support them, and when we need it, they will also be ready to create conditions to help and influence the business owner.”

Giving gifts to support fishermen in difficult circumstances. Photo: DVCC

In addition to the goodwill and enthusiastic support, the officials of the Dong Nam Economic Zone Trade Union determined that it is necessary to have a tough, critical attitude, and work with interdisciplinary groups to handle sluggish and ill-willed businesses.

As one of the two units that have done a good job of developing union members and establishing grassroots unions during Workers' Month 2022, the Education Trade Union has also applied creative and effective methods. Mr. Dang Van Hai - Chairman of the Education Trade Union said: "Over the past two years, affected by the Covid-19 pandemic, non-public kindergartens and foreign language centers have faced severe difficulties. In that situation, turning difficulties into opportunities, the industry trade union has organized events to listen to and encourage teachers,workerat these units and presented gifts to support them. After the event, in response to the sentiments of union officials, the units proactively expressed their desire to establish a union organization to receive more attention, operate more systematically, stabilize labor relations and have the opportunity to learn and improve professional skills. This is also a premise for establishing union organizations in other non-public units."

A program "Thank you workers" organized by the Education Trade Union. Photo: DVCC

Mr. Hai added: “I think that before asking them to establish a grassroots union, union officials must prove to them the benefits. To do this, the higher-level union needs to proactively care and support in advance with a sincere attitude, even when there is no union organization yet, and needs to build programs that are widespread, long-term, and specific.”