Trade union officials and the 'golden key' to innovation.

Towards versatility

For over 11 years as a full-time union official at the Southeast Economic Zone Trade Union, Ms. Nguyen Thi Mai Huong (born in 1987) has been entrusted with many roles such as Standing Committee Member, Head of the Inspection Committee… One can easily find her enthusiastically choreographing a dance for a union member's program, happily eating pickled plums with salt with workers, meeting with and understanding the concerns of workers in their rented accommodations, advising on labor law, or working with company leaders… She joined the trade union by chance, but Ms. Huong herself never expected to love and be so well-suited to it. Wherever she is, whatever she does, Ms. Huong always strives to achieve the best results.

Based on practical experience, Ms. Huong believes that versatility is the key word that trade union officials need to aim for.new phase“Multitasking is also the goal of the Southeast Economic Zone Trade Union Executive Committee in training a team of full-time trade union officials. Accordingly, any trade union official must be equipped with knowledge of labor law, experience in negotiating collective bargaining agreements, proficiency in mobilizing the establishment of grassroots trade unions, and a thorough understanding of trade union finances… With the unique characteristics of many businesses, a large number of workers, and diverse activities, in addition to the specialized field of each individual, when we are multitasking, the support for grassroots trade unions, union members, and workers will be more timely, effective, and professional,” Ms. Huong shared.

To become more versatile, trade union officials in the Southeast Economic Zone like Ms. Huong have invested a great deal of time in research and learning, proactively taking advantage of every opportunity to gain experience. All problems and issues from the grassroots level are discussed together to provide mutual support and assistance.

Besides her versatility, Ms. Mai Huong is also known as a "familiar face" and a "secret mailbox" for union members and workers. Despite being a senior union official, her openness, cheerfulness, and approachability have earned her the trust and affection of the workers.

Putting the worker at the center

Commenting on the trade union activities of FVF International Clean Vegetable Production and Supply Joint Stock Company, Ms. Nguyen Thi Quynh Trang – Vice President of Nghia Dan District Labor Union, said: “The activities of the Trade Union of FVF International Clean Vegetable Production and Supply Joint Stock Company are always creative, pioneering, and attract enthusiastic participation from workers.”workersand spread it to many other units. To achieve this, the grassroots trade union officials must be very dedicated, enthusiastic, capable of building the movement, and receive the trust and support of the union members. Ms. Truong Thi Ngoc Dung (born in 1988) – President of the company's Trade Union – is one such trade union official.”

As the deputy head of production, Ms. Dung frequently has to go to the factory and fields to supervise and manage the workers. She has a special principle: When talking to union members and workers, she always takes the time to ask about their well-being first, and only then inquire about their work. Sharing more about this, Ms. Dung said: “To get union members and workers to participate in the movement, the movement must be centered around the workers, and union officials must understand them, grasp their needs and aspirations. Openness, friendliness, and sincerity will help workers open up, share, and receive.” This is how the Trade Union of FVF International Clean Vegetable Production and Supply Joint Stock Company builds practical and effective movements.

In addition, Ms. Dung also believes that each trade union official needs to assert their position through both professional competence and soft skills. While professional expertise gives the voice of a trade union official more weight, soft skills such as communication, time management, and work organization will help trade union officials ensure the quality of their work and balance work and family life.

Cadres must take the lead, and the movement must be concrete.

In recent years, the propaganda work and emulation movements of the Do Luong District Labor Union have continuously achieved many high achievements and have been recognized by the Provincial Labor Union. As the person in charge of this area, Mr. Le Van Lai (born in 1977) – Vice Chairman of the District Labor Union – affirmed that the pioneering and exemplary role of trade union officials plays a crucial part.

Sharing his thoughts on the sidelines after receiving the Third Prize in the First Journalism Competition on the Workers' Movement and Trade Union Activities in 2023, Mr. Le Van Lai expressed: “I wrote the entry without thinking I would win a prize. My purpose was to stir up the movement and encourage my colleagues at the grassroots level to participate. And to get my colleagues at the grassroots level to participate, I have to lead by example. Before being a trade union official, I have to fulfill my duties as a union member first.” Not only in this competition, Mr. Lai applies this approach in all the movements and tasks he is responsible for.

In addition to the above viewpoint, the Vice Chairman of the Do Luong District Labor Union also believes that propaganda work, as well as emulation movements and tasks, need to be concrete with visible products and measurable quantities. “We evaluate the results of grassroots trade unions based on specific products and accurate data, even if it's just a small product, a small project, or a small innovation. This avoids vague, superficial, and formalistic reports, contributing to creating substantive movements that positively impact union members and workers, and spreading the image of the trade union organization among the people,” Mr. Lai said.

Applying technology to trade union activities.

One of the challenges for large businesses is managing, collecting, and listening to the opinions and aspirations of all their workers. At the Luxshare ICT Nghe An Company Union, with over 7,000 workers, Union President Le Khanh Minh (born in 1988) has maximized the power of technology in this task.

“The more workers there are, the more diverse opinions and aspirations there are, especially regarding issues related to rights and welfare. To ensure no opinion is overlooked and to show respect for the workers, we use QR codes so that workers can choose and propose their ideas. After compiling them, the union will make a decision that ensures a balance between the interests of all parties and aligns with the majority's choice,” Mr. Minh shared. Although it is difficult to satisfy 100% of union members and workers, the approach of the Luxshare ICT Nghe An Co., Ltd. Union has met 80-90% of the workers' aspirations.

In addition to using QR codes, the Trade Union of Luxshare ICT Nghe An Co., Ltd. also utilizes internal communication channels and social media to promptly understand the thoughts and aspirations of employees. “Conflicts in labor relations can stem from unnecessary misunderstandings. We choose to explain clearly and transparently with a sharing and calm attitude from the very beginning, when the issue is still simple, to harmonize this relationship,” added Mr. Minh.

Indeed, although I only joined the union in April 2022, with many years of direct work experience...workersIn the areas of production, human resources, and labor relations, Mr. Minh has earned the trust of both the higher-level trade union, company leadership, and employees. The calm, approachable, and professional demeanor of this young trade union chairman has repeatedly resolved difficulties for the company and brought many practical benefits to the workers.