Ensuring workers' rights in the face of productivity demands

Current status of labor productivity in Nghe An

In the period 2016 - 2020, Nghe An enterprises grew rapidly in number, operating in diverse industries, occupations, fields, and locations, contributing positively to the socio-economic development of the province. By the end of 2021, Nghe An had 14,050 operating enterprises, ranking 9th in the country and 2nd in the North Central region.

The Resolution of the 19th Congress of the Nghe An Provincial Party Committee has set the goal: By 2025, Nghe An strives to become a fairly developed province in the Northern region, and by 2030, to become a fairly developed province in the country. By 2025, the province strives to have over 30,000 enterprises, of which about 20,000 are operating.

Labor productivity in Nghe An province is still low, only 64.28% of the national average. Photo: CSCC

As of June 30, 2022, Nghe An Provincial Federation of Labor has established 542 grassroots trade unions at enterprises with a total of 80,572 union members. Of which, 37 grassroots trade unions are FDI enterprises, accounting for 6.8%; Trade unions at joint stock companies are 225 grassroots trade unions, accounting for 41.5%; Trade unions at limited liability companies are 112 grassroots trade unions, accounting for 20.6%, the rest are other types.

The technological level of enterprises producing the province's main products is quite good compared to the whole country, the rate of technological/equipment innovation in Nghe An is 15%. In 2020, the value of high-tech products and high-tech applications reached 20%. In 2021, the rate of trained workers working reached 66.4%, of which 26.3% have diplomas and certificates. However, the quality of the province's labor force is still limited, with low skills and labor discipline, limited industrial style and foreign languages ​​of workers.

Overall,Many indicators of the province's enterprises are not equal to the national average (the density of enterprises per 1,000 working-age population is only 43.5% of the national average, the average income of workers is only 65% ​​of the national average...). The scale of enterprises is small (97.03% of the province's enterprises are micro and small), with little capital, outdated technology, lack of technical labor, limited business management skills, low efficiency and not many strong brands capable of competing in the regional and international markets; the working environment still has many limitations. Therefore, labor productivity at Nghe An enterprises is not high and not competitive.

Jobincrease labor productivityis extremely necessary, demonstrating investment attraction, contributing more revenue to the locality. From the perspective of an investor, increasing labor productivity is even more necessary, because it brings more profit to the business while the cost is less. However, from the perspective of a worker, they will wonder, if labor productivity increases, what will the workers get? Or will they have to work more overtime to produce more products, while the wages and overtime are not high because the regional minimum wage is still low?

Representative of the Trade Union of An Hung Group Joint Stock Company shares about labor productivity. Photo: Cong Kien

The International Labour Organization (ILO) points out that increasing labour productivity is important for increasing real wages and improving workers' living standards in the long run. As the average value added per worker increases, businesses can afford to pay higher wages while remaining competitive.

According to Associate Professor, Dr. Vu Quang Tho - former Director of the Institute of Workers and Trade Unions, when labor productivity is high, workers are paid high salaries, and vice versa, salaries and income have an impact on labor productivity.

Thus, the view on increasing labor productivity will have different understandings between employers and employees in the enterprise. Therefore, it is necessary to have explanations and propaganda so that employees can see the benefits when labor productivity in the enterprise is increased. At the same time, it is also necessary to clarify the responsibility of the enterprise towards employees to increase labor productivity. This is one of the responsibilities and tasks of the Trade Union organization.

Responsibilities of the Trade Union

To ensure harmony in labor relations when increasing labor productivity, union officials need to change workers' views on increasing labor productivity, as well as recommend to business owners accompanying support mechanisms to increase labor productivity, rather than increasing labor productivity in the direction of minimizing costs and requiring workers to work more overtime to increase the number of products. To do that,Union levelsneed to implement many positive solutions.

The Provincial Federation of Labor organized a seminar with the topic "Current situation and solutions for trade unions in improving labor productivity in enterprises in Vietnam today". Photo: Cong Kien

Firstly, the Trade Unions at all levels need to make recommendations to the Party, State, Government and local authorities to build a favorable investment environment, have policies and mechanisms to attract high-tech enterprises to invest, and have policies to train highly skilled human resources.

Second, trade unions at all levels need to propagate and explain to workers about labor productivity and the results of increased labor productivity. Workers will receive better incentives from businesses increasing labor productivity, such as stable jobs, increased income, and improved working conditions. From there, mobilize workers to overcome current shortcomings and limitations in industrial style awareness, professional skills, discipline awareness, and procedures for complaints and resolving disagreements in labor relations, avoiding illegal strikes. In addition, trade unions need to organize propaganda campaigns so that workers understand their individual responsibilities in self-studying to improve their qualifications to maintain stable workplaces. Increasing labor productivity goes hand in hand with automation, application of high technology, and effective combination of labor and machinery in each production stage, etc., the risk of workers being eliminated and losing their jobs will be high.

Third, it is necessary to stabilize production, limit labor disputes and strikes in the process of increasing labor productivity. Trade unions and employers need to ensure democracy and regular dialogue at enterprises to limit strikes. To carry out this task, the Trade Union proactively negotiates and signs collective labor agreements. In addition, it is necessary to propose promulgating democratic regulations, paying salaries and bonuses, publicizing some business results of enterprises, and paying attention to improving the material and spiritual life of workers.

Trade unions play an important role in protecting workers' rights in the face of demands for increased productivity. Photo: Diep Thanh

Fourth, the Trade Union needs to negotiate with employers to pay attention to improving working conditions for workers, limiting the negative impact of the natural environment on the working process of workers, and paying attention to training to improve skills for workers.worker, because when workers have high skills, they can improve their productivity.