Workers and laborers in Nghe An: What makes them special?
Continuing the revolutionary tradition and historical mission in their Soviet homeland, the workers and laborers of Nghe An have been and continue to affirm their role in the homeland's renewal process. Throughout this process, they have been cared for, protected, connected, and honored.
Continuing the revolutionary tradition and historical mission in their Soviet homeland, the workers and laborers of Nghe An have been and continue to affirm their role in the homeland's renewal process. Throughout this process, they have been cared for, protected, connected, and honored.
A SPECIAL MEAL
The lunch on August 19, 2024, for over 400 union members and workers of Em-Tech Vietnam Co., Ltd., Nghe An branch, was unlike any other day. After lining up to enter the dining area, many workers were surprised when they pulled out their trays of food with many new dishes compared to the daily menu, including stir-fried shrimp, grilled pork skewers, salad… And they were even more surprised to find a serving of Southern-style beef noodle soup and a glass of refreshing jasmine tea on the table.
Soon after, many people realized the special reason for these changes. On the main wall by the kitchen door hung a large poster. The poster read, "Union Meal."
Accordingly, instead of the usual 20,000 VND per meal, the Vinh City Labor Union provided an additional 25,000 VND per meal, giving each worker a meal worth 45,000 VND. Many workers were delighted with this gift. They took photos of their meal trays, made "toasting" gestures to capture group photos, and shared these joyful memories with their colleagues on Facebook.
The menu isn't the only special thing about the "Trade Union Meal." It's also special because it's a "communal meal" implemented simultaneously on the same day and at the same time for union members and workers in numerous businesses and organizations throughout the province. Furthermore, all meals are attended by representatives from the business and organization leadership, as well as trade union officials at all levels.
In Dien Chau district, more than 2,000 union members and workers of Wooin Vina Co., Ltd. shared a meal with the Vice Chairman of the Provincial Labor Union and the company's Board of Directors. Instead of the usual 20,000 VND meal, today's meal cost 48,000 VND per person and included beef curry, pork sausage, chicken, yogurt, etc.
In Do Luong district, thousands of workers from 33 units and enterprises simultaneously held a meal in a joyful and enthusiastic atmosphere. In Con Cuong district, the Provincial Labor Union provided over 28 million VND to ensure the "Trade Union Meal" program could be smoothly implemented at Minh Anh Con Cuong Garment Company…
The involvement of the entire system has not only increased the scale but also upgraded the professionalism of the Trade Union organization in Nghe An.
That special event was implemented based on a policy of the Vietnam General Confederation of Labor, but few people know that the phrase "Trade Union Meal" was first used and implemented in 2021 by trade union officials of the Trade Union of the Southeast Nghe An Economic Zone. Due to the positive impact of the Southeast Nghe An Economic Zone Trade Union, the program was expanded throughout the province and adopted by other provinces. And this is not the only "pioneering" activity for workers in Nghe An.
"Ignite" What Belief?
With the keyword phrase “Workers salute the flag.Searching on Google, the results almost exclusively show the weekly flag-raising ceremony of the Youth Union members and workers in Nghe An. The period when this content was most frequently posted and shared was during the Workers' Month in 2024.
I still remember the first few days back at work after the Lunar New Year holiday in 2024, when social media was flooded with a touching video of workers at the Wooin Vina Co., Ltd. garment factory (Dien Chau) raising their flags. In the clip, all the workers wore red shirts with the yellow star, their eyes fixed on the national flag, their hands placed over their hearts in a show of emotion. From many people's perspective, this clip was moving because of the seriousness and meticulousness of all the workers, and even more so because it took place in a foreign-invested enterprise.
This video also sparked the idea of a weekly flag-raising ceremony, which was then implemented simultaneously in all grassroots trade unions. Overcoming initial obstacles, the Nghe An Trade Union officials worked hard to persuade and promote the idea. As a result, during Workers' Month in 2024, tens of thousands of union members, workers, and laborers throughout Nghe An province proudly and emotionally participated in the weekly flag-raising ceremony.
Ms. Pham Thi Thuy, a worker at Haivina Kim Lien Co., Ltd., shared: “When saluting the flag as a worker, I myself didn't expect to be so moved and excited. The national anthem playing also ignited a sense of national pride and a desire to dedicate myself fully to my homeland and country…”
In early August, workers in Nghe An province had another opportunity to participate and showcase their talents at the "Singing Festival for Civil Servants, Public Employees, and Workers." With the requirement that participants be workers and direct laborers, the festival organizers created a meaningful platform with many memorable experiences.
“I never thought that workers would have the opportunity to perform on a large stage, in such a large-scale and professional competition. We, the union members, workers, and laborers, truly shone, creating beautiful memories together and returning to work with pride as a part of the Nghe An workforce,” said Ms. Le Thi Hong Thi, a worker at Masan Co., Ltd. (Nam Cam), emotionally.
To bring the best performances to the festival, Ms. Thi and her fellow performers, who are workers from various businesses, practiced for over a month in their factories outside of working hours. Before the performance day, from Hoang Mai, Nam Cam, VSIP, and Bac Vinh, everyone gathered at the Southeast Economic Zone Management Board to rehearse their acts.
Sharing her thoughts on the workers' spirit of participation, Ms. Hoang Thi Thu Huong - President of the Trade Union of the Southeast Economic Zone - said: "They are all key figures in arts and culture at the grassroots level, participating responsibly and diligently, and their dedication is highly appreciated by the choreographers and singers. To ensure their presence at the festival, the leaders of the enterprises also created favorable conditions, not only being flexible with their schedules but also providing individual support for each person. Through this event, I believe thatpatriotism"The workers' class pride will be much greater."
Recently, before the September 2nd holiday, following an initiative by several grassroots trade unions, images of workers in Nghe An once again moved many people when...dye red"The factory is decorated with the national flag."
Sharing his thoughts on recent innovative, impactful programs that demonstrate the strength of the working class, Mr. Le Van Son, Chairman of the Trade Union of Haivina Kim Lien Co., Ltd., said: “Never before have I seen the workforce receive so much attention through meaningful and practical activities as during this period. We may differ in industry, location, model, and nature, but through these activities, we have an invisible connection, a strong and proud bond. I believe that the workforce and the Trade Union organization of Nghe An will make even greater strides in the future!”
