Only 1/6 businesses in Nghe An have trade unions.

(Baonghean) - Currently, the whole province has over 10,000 enterprises, of which over 6,000 are operating, and only 400 enterprises have trade unions.

When Vietnam joins the Trans-Pacific Partnership Agreement (TPP), besides the advantages, there are countless challenges, requiring trade unions to strongly innovate their methods of operation to always be worthy of being the support of workers.

It is necessary to ensure policies and benefits to motivate workers to improve productivity and work efficiency.

Together with the leaders of the Provincial and Dien Chau District Labor Federations, attending the dialogue between the Board of Directors of Namsung Vina Company Limited and representatives of workers and laborers, we clearly saw the significance of this activity.

With a total of 15 issues gathered from workers and laborers through 1,600 opinion polls implemented by the Dien Chau District Labor Federation in coordination with the grassroots trade union, the labor representatives raised at the dialogue issues that were close to home such as the quality of lunch and snacks for workers.

Ms. Nguyen Thi Thuy - Team leader of line 1, raised issues related to the quality of lunch which is too monotonous in terms of food, not delicious, food of unknown origin; overtime meals only consist of pho noodles and boiled pork; affecting the health of workers.

Responding to Ms. Thuy's opinion, Mr. Kim Jung Man - General Director of the company, admitted that this situation existed and that he himself, after taking over the position of General Director, replacing the old person, went directly to the kitchen to check. And in the past month, he has asked the kitchen to carry out immediate tasks such as: cleaning the cafeteria, equipping shelves for food to ensure hygiene; at the same time, he will create conditions for the kitchen to use the company's boiler as fuel to reduce costs and improve the quality of meals for workers.

Mr. Kim Jung Man also promised to accept and continue to find ways to improve and enhance the quality of meals for workers, because he believes that "the health of workers and laborers will directly impact the development of the business".

Brick production line of Tan Ky tunnel brick factory.

According to Mr. Nguyen Chi Cong - Head of the Policy and Law Department of the Provincial Federation of Labor, although it has not been possible to satisfy all the legitimate demands of workers, through the dialogue, many existing problems have been clearly recognized by businesses for change, especially related to the physical development and spiritual life of workers.

According to Mr. Nguyen Chi Cong, the organization of dialogue between enterprises and employees at Namsung Vina Company Limited is a dialogue activity within enterprises, piloted by the Provincial Labor Federation in each industry and locality. Up to now, 5 industries and localities have organized and implemented it.

Currently, the whole province has over 10,000 enterprises, of which over 6,000 are operating, and only 400 enterprises have trade unions.

Through a survey by the Provincial Federation of Labor, in general, businesses in the province try to ensure above the minimum level prescribed for employees.

However, the current salary is still too difficult for workers. Especially the housing conditions, spiritual life is extremely difficult. No enterprise has housing for workers, they have to rent spontaneous, cramped boarding houses and the enjoyment of spiritual culture is almost non-existent.

The situation of enterprises violating regulations on overtime hours that are too long; signing labor contracts without specific terms; not paying social insurance for enough employees or having long-term debt; violating labor safety and hygiene..., is happening.

Manufactured at Vinh Packaging Company.

The reasons for this situation come from both sides: businesses only care about profits, while workers have not yet demanded all their rights. This also includes the fact that the activities of trade unions at all levels have not been really effective. Many businesses do not even have trade unions.

Besides the above difficulties, according to Mr. Nguyen Tu Phuong - Vice Chairman of the Provincial Labor Federation, when the TPP Agreement is implemented, there will be many factors that directly affect labor issues and trade union organizations.

Besides creating opportunities, equal competition between enterprises will create arrangements, streamlining labor, technological innovation, saving production costs... At that time, there will be unemployment, job changes, violations of labor laws... leading to increased labor disputes.

On the other hand, when implementing the TPP, the conditions of the agreement on labor and freedom of association will put the Vietnamese Trade Union in competition with other organizations representing workers, which may have foreign support and only perform one function: representing and protecting workers.

In addition to the function of representing and protecting the legitimate rights and interests of workers, trade unions also carry out propaganda, education, and awareness raising for workers; organize emulation movements and carry out local political tasks.

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