The story of a female union official in a FDI enterprise

Female officer devoted herself to the workers

The first time I met Anh Lam was about 5 years ago, during a working session with BSE Electronics Co., Ltd. (Nam Cam Industrial Park). At that time, through the stories of my colleagues, I saw that Lam was praised a lot, so I paid close attention to Lam. Lam had a very confident demeanor, easily presenting his personal views clearly. While the Vietnamese people in the company were quite reserved when interacting with the Korean leadership group, Lam was very natural and comfortable suggesting and exchanging ideas with these people. Perhaps because of this, Lam was trusted and listened to by the company's leadership.

Ms. Le Thi Anh Lam - the only full-time union official in Nghe An province, was assigned to work at a company with a large number of workers. Photo: CSCC.

Meeting Lam again in a working session of the Southeast Economic Zone Trade Union on recommendations related to workers last year, Lam was almost the same as 5 years ago with an energetic and agile style. At the meeting, Lam wasunion officialsvolunteered to speak first in the meeting, and was also the one who made the most suggestions to the higher-level union. With sharp arguments and convincing evidence, Lam made many members in the meeting agree with his ideas: Improve the quality of shift meals, install more ATMs in the industrial park, handle flooding when it rains on roads with many workers passing by, install more lights on the road to Nam Cam... Every idea was accurate, full of concern and enthusiasm.

In the next meeting, I found out why Anh Lam understood the workers so well, when I stayed in Lam's office on a Saturday afternoon, after work at BSE Electronics Co., Ltd. It was called an office, but the room was only about 10 m wide.^2,Located right at the canteen door, filled with gift bags, supplies, and two huge filing cabinets taking up most of the space.

Anh Lam (brown shirt) gives gifts to union members and workers of BSE Electronics Company Limited. Photo: CSCC.

“My room is a bit separate from other offices, not beautiful, not spacious, but very convenient. Here I can easily check and monitor the quality of daily meals, and it is also convenient for workers to meet and ask questions” - Lam said. That day's meeting, we did not have much time to talk to each other, because Lam was surrounded by many workers and questions, problems, suggestions... When it was dark, there were only two or three cars left in the garage, the clock pointed to 6:30 p.m., Lam's office was still lit. Imagining the long journey alone from the factory to the family's house in Nghi Hai ward (Cua Lo town) by Lam's motorbike, in the cold of late winter with drizzling rain, I could not help but have thoughts, somewhat worried about Lam...

Because of work requirements, after that time, I met Anh Lam more often. Sometimes at the sports tournament for workers, sometimes at meetings and exchanges of grassroots union officials, sometimes at Tet Sum Vay, sometimes at Mid-Autumn Festival for the children of poor workers... Every time I saw Lam,the most prominent person, the most exciting and the most adventurous.

Anh Lam (4th from left, top row) and workers participate in the sports tournament. Photo: CSCC

Behind the fun

Talking about her journey of nearly 10 years working with the trade union organization, Anh Lam confided: “I was recruited to work as a union officer at BSE Electronics Company Limited in 2015, after this enterprise went on strike. Although the strike was later resolved, the conflict in labor relations between the foreign management team and Vietnamese workers was still simmering, this was a big challenge for a union officer who had just graduated for 1 year like me. At that time, BSE was the largest FDI enterprise in the province with the largest number of workers, the confusion along with the huge amount of work made me start the job with many difficulties. Luckily, I was not alone, I received the attention and enthusiastic support from the brothers and sisters in the Southeast Economic Zone trade union, the company's leadership, the company's trade union executive committee and the enthusiastic coordination of the union team leader and deputy team leader... From that support, I had the opportunity learn, gain more experience and grow up every day".

Anh Lam is always a pioneering and proactive union official with many opinions and concerns. Photo: Diep Thanh

Despite her maturity and experience, Anh Lam has never had a leisurely day at work due to the nature of her business and her job. This has contributed to making Anh Lam a quick thinker, quick speaker, concise, clear and decisive presenter of each task. Despite being resourceful and dedicated, Anh Lam still cannot avoid situations that arise such as female workers arguing with each other, workers' questions about changes in factory policies, and even new strikes.

Commenting on the full-time female union officer at the company, Ms. Nguyen Thi Nga - a worker at BSE Electronics Co., Ltd. said: “Unlike other union officers in the company, Anh Lam is a full-time union officer, under the management of the Provincial Labor Federation, but works directly with us workers and receives salary from the company's leaders. With those relationships, Lam herself will have many difficult situations. However, because Anh Lam is always fair, clear, and willing to suffer losses for everyone, everyone trusts and loves her. If there are any questions from the workers, Lam answers immediately. I think it will be difficult to find another person to replace that female union officer in this position.”

Agreeing with Ms. Nga's comment, Ms. Nguyen Hoang Yen - a Trade Union officer of the Southeast Economic Zone said about Lam: "Having known and worked with Lam for many years, I truly appreciate the enthusiasm, liveliness and sense of responsibility that Lam has for his work. Lam has the necessary youthfulness and the essential impartiality of atypical union official. Although the house is far away and the children are small, Lam always completes the tasks assigned by his superiors on time. Wherever he needs to take the initiative, Lam is always a pioneer. Above all, Lam is open to receiving suggestions and always strives to learn, improve, and listen to improve himself every day.

During nearly 10 years of working with the union, Anh Lam has received many attractive offers from other employers, and had better job opportunities, but in the end, Lam still chose to stay. When asked why, Lam smiled: “For me, the union is not simply a job, it has been a family since when - a warm, affectionate, happy family with the help and love of brothers and sisters. Moreover, as a union officer, I have daily contact with workers, directly bringing them joy and benefits, I feel very happy and meaningful. That is why I want to stick with this job for a long time”./.