Nghe An Trade Union provides timely support to workers during the epidemic season

Closely monitor and promptly direct

After Nghe An province had its first case of infection in Vinh city, the Provincial Federation of Labor quickly directed the district, city, and town Federations of Labor, and industry unions to strengthen propaganda to grassroots unions and workers to strictly implement epidemic prevention and control measures according to regulations of the Ministry of Health. The Provincial Federation of Labor called on all union officials, union members, workers, civil servants, and laborers in the province, with affection and responsibility, to continue to join hands, be unanimous, and actively participate in supporting each person with at least 1 day's salary to the Prevention and Control Fund.Covid-19 epidemicLaunched by the Vietnam Fatherland Front Committee of Nghe An province; calling on and mobilizing businesses, production and business establishments to respond and participate in the program "One million doses of vaccine for poor workers".

Full-time union officials support the Covid-19 Prevention and Control Fund with at least 1 day's salary each. Photo: DT

Mr. Nguyen Chi Cong - Vice Chairman of Nghe An Provincial Federation of Labor said: In addition to directing trade unions at all levels to be active and determined in epidemic prevention and control, the Provincial Federation of Labor promptly issued 3 documents: Instruction No. 18/HD-LĐLĐ dated May 25, 2021 guiding the payment of emergency support for union members and workers affected by the Covid-19 epidemic during the 4th outbreak, from April 27, 2021; Issuing Official Dispatch No. 245/LĐLĐ-CSPL&QHLĐ dated June 2, 2021 and Official Dispatch No. 293/LĐLĐ-CSPL&QHLĐ dated June 23 amending and supplementing Instruction No. 18/HD-LĐLĐ on payment of emergency support to support union members and workers.

In order to have a basis for resolving support policies for workers and laborers, the grassroots trade unions have closely followed the situation and developments of the epidemic in each industry and locality, updated data daily, and reported to superiors to promptly support and care for union members and laborers; at the same time, proactively negotiated and dialogued with businesses to ensure the rights of workers affected by the epidemic.

Chairman of the Provincial Labor Federation Kha Van Tam presents gifts to support the epidemic prevention work in Bac Giang province. Photo: DVCC

Faced with the complicated developments of the epidemic in the area, trade unions at all levels are always closely updating the situation of employees infected with Covid-19, and businesses and employees affected by the epidemic. Due to the epidemic situation, many businesses have been severely affected, most of which are trying to hold on hoping the epidemic will pass soon. 45 businesses have temporarily suspended work. Of which, the most severely affected are businesses in the Transport sector (16 businesses), Cua Lo Town (11 hotels and service businesses); Industry and Trade sector (6 tourism businesses), Agriculture sector (5 businesses); Construction sector (1 business)...

Regarding the employment situation of employees affected by the epidemic, 8,593 employees have had to temporarily stop working due to lack of work and difficulties in production (contract employees in schools, hotels, transportation units, etc.). There are 33 employees who have lost their jobs at: Van Minh Company Limited (Cua Lo Town Labor Union), Commercial Construction Materials Joint Stock Company, Phu Quy 250 Mechanical and Construction Joint Stock Company (Industry and Trade Union).

Active support

Mr. Vuong An Nguyen - Chairman of the UnionSoutheast Economic Zonesaid that for the cases of workers who are renting accommodation and are in difficult circumstances due to the blockade, the trade unions of economic zones have directed the grassroots trade unions to review the boarding houses and companies, make a list and send it to coordinate support with necessities, such as: rice, fish sauce, eggs... This is a practical gift from the trade union organization to promptly share the difficulties of workers who are locked down in the boarding house.

Vice Chairman of the Provincial Federation of Labor Nguyen Chi Cong presents gifts to workers at the locked-down boarding house. Photo: DVCC

Trade unions across the province have constantly innovated ways of working, suitable to the specific situation in each locality and unit, contributing to improving the effectiveness of epidemic prevention and control. Trade unions in Quynh Luu district registered to take turns delivering 164 meals/day to checkpoints.Covid-19 controlThe model of "Union Kitchen" has been implemented very effectively, meaningfully and widely by the Trade Unions of the school sector under the Vinh City Labor Federation. The schools have registered to take turns cooking meals to help doctors and patients at Vinh City General Hospital.

Dien Chau District Labor Federation has supported frontline forces in preventing and fighting the epidemic with cash and gifts, and provided masks and hand sanitizers to 3 enterprises with a large number of workers. Union members of schools under Nghi Loc District Labor Federation took turns supporting and cooking meals for F1 subjects at concentrated quarantine areas in the district; Dong Nam Economic Zone Union provided necessities to hundreds of workers locked down in boarding houses...

Up to now, the Provincial Federation of Labor has spent 177 million VND to encourage and support frontline units in the fight against the epidemic. Visited and presented gifts to 9 units in Vinh city, Dien Chau district and posts at Keng Du Border Guard Station with a total amount of 67 million VND; presented 30 million VND contributed by full-time union officials of the Nghe An Provincial Federation of Labor to support the prevention and control of the Covid-19 epidemic through the Vietnam Fatherland Front of Nghe An province. Supported vaccines from the Golden Heart Charity Social Fund; Supported and donated to the Federations of Labor of the two provinces of Bac Ninh and Bac Giang (the epicenter of the epidemic, with more than 2,000 Nghe An workers currently under lockdown) with essential goods such as dried fish and dried shrimp worth 70 million VND...

Nghi Loc District Labor Federation presents gifts to support quarantine areas in the area. Photo: DVCC

Mr. Pham Duc Cuong - Chairman of Dien Chau District Labor Federation said: “As soon as Dien Chau district had the first F0, the leaders of Nghe An Provincial Labor Federation immediately came to directly present gifts to support 3 units on the front line against Covid-19 in Dien Chau district, including: Dien Chau District Medical Center, quarantine point in Dien Thinh commune, quarantine point in Minh Chau commune, each point 10 million VND. This timely attention has encouraged officers, soldiers, doctors, and medical staff at the above 3 points, recognizing and thanking the contributions and silent sacrifices of the frontline forces in this war”.

The Labor Federations of districts, cities and towns have supported 80 units of the working force.serving the front line against the epidemic, including medical facilities, field hospitals, and centralized quarantine areas, with a support amount of VND 705,865 million. The industry and district trade unions have supported 12 F1 and F2 subjects who are union members and employees who are quarantined and locked down, and 31 union officials participating in the fight against the epidemic with an amount of VND 51,125,000. For the rest, the grassroots trade unions are gathering the number of employees affected by the epidemic and completing procedures to support union members and employees according to regulations.

Vinh City Trade Union takes turns supporting meals to fight the epidemic. Photo: DVCC

From April 27, 2021 to now, Nghe An provincial trade unions at all levels have spent VND 1,009,940,000 to support the prevention and control of the Covid-19 epidemic. In addition, trade unions at all levels have also called for support of many supplies to serve the frontline forces in the prevention and control of the Covid-19 epidemic in the area.