To give female workers more rights
(Baonghean.vn) - One of the highlights of the trade union's activities in recent times has been a series of activities related to women's affairs, focusing on female union members and workers. Thanks to the dedication and creativity of trade union officials at all levels, this series of activities has brought practical and widespread benefits.
Activities organized for the first time
After attending a communication session on the theme "Building the Modern Woman of Nghe An" for female workers, organized by the Provincial Labor Federation in coordination with the Provincial Women's Union at Luxshare-ICT Co., Ltd. (Nghe An), worker Nguyen Thi Thao (from Merry Bu4 department) shared: "The knowledge shared in the program was truly useful for someone like me who is about to become a mother. The approachable and practical sharing style of the experts helped us workers access and grasp scientific knowledge and update information about reproductive health in an easy-to-understand way." Thao is 35 weeks pregnant. Next to Thao, another female worker who is 38 weeks pregnant also nodded in confirmation.
The training content also received positive feedback and responses from participants.female workersAnother young woman, Nguyen Thi Duyen, a female worker, confided: “This is the first time I’ve participated in a program like this. After the sharing session, I was inspired to build a beautiful lifestyle, aspire to improve myself, gain more knowledge about self-care, and learn how to build a happy life. I only wish the program lasted longer so I could hear more.”
Sharing directly on the topic of reproductive health care at this communication session, Ms. Nguyen Thi Thuong Huyen - Vice President of the Health Sector Trade Union - also shared the same aspiration as Duyen. Ms. Huyen said: “I have shared information with female workers many times, but each time I feel conflicted and wish I had more time. The nature of their work puts them at a high risk of gynecological diseases, and they really want more knowledge. However, there is a lot of content to share, and everyone is eager to hear it, but the time available is too limited.”
Understanding the significance of the program, Mr. Ta Kim Cuong - Deputy Director of Human Resources Department of Luxshare-ICT Co., Ltd. (Nghe An) stated at the event: “80% of our workers are women, and we hope they can access this program. Hopefully, after the program, the 150 participating female workers can spread and share the knowledge they have gained with the remaining 8,000 workers.” Also at this event, the Standing Committee of the Provincial Labor Union awarded 10 gifts to female workers with particularly difficult circumstances at the company, totaling 5 million VND.
The communication session themed "Building the Modern Woman of Nghe An" was one of many activities aimed at female workers organized by the Provincial Labor Union in October. Prior to this, the Provincial Labor Union, in coordination with the Provincial Department of Labor, War Invalids and Social Affairs, organized training on gender equality in digital transformation, prevention and response to gender-based violence in the online environment for nearly 200 female union officials at all levels.trainingRegarding professional skills in women's affairs, including dialogue, presentation, advocacy, and persuasion, training was provided to 80 female officials from district-level departments.
In addition to the training content, the trainees also participated in extracurricular activities to exchange ideas and learn about the local culture of Con Cuong district. Furthermore, the Labor Union, in coordination with the Provincial Population and Family Planning Department, organized training for 200 female workers and female union officials from grassroots trade unions under the Cua Lo Town Labor Union during the monthly meeting of the Club for Building Culturally Advanced Families for Workers and Employees in the town.
In particular, under the guidance of the Vietnam General Confederation of Labor, the Provincial Labor Union, in coordination with the Nghi Loc District Labor Union, successfully organized a pilot dialogue conference on "Representing, caring for, and protecting the legitimate rights and interests of female workers through workplace dialogue" at Trung Lai Gas Lighter Manufacturing Co., Ltd.
Organized for the first time, after many working sessions, the dialogue conference successfully negotiated additional benefits for female workers. Specifically, employers committed to annually providing a gift of 100,000 VND per female worker on October 20th and arranging a separate dining area with backrests for pregnant female workers during their lunch breaks.
Also in October, for the first time, three female union officials from Nghe An province participated in a training course for part-time instructors on parenting skills for the holistic development of children in Da Nang, organized by the Vietnam General Confederation of Labor. As one of the three fortunate participants, Ms. Le Phuc Loi still vividly remembers her experiences: “The class had over 20 people from various provinces and cities, who received training in advanced and useful skills and knowledge about raising children. This knowledge will be passed on to female workers with the goal of helping them be happier and wiser in raising their children, ensuring a secure future for the children of workers. It is expected that in 2024, the Vietnam General Confederation of Labor will implement the program in other provinces, and we will directly guide workers in enterprises.”
With numerous firsts and innovative initiatives from higher-level trade unions, female workers are receiving attention and care in terms of their rights, physical well-being, and mental health. This spirit will have a strong impact on activities at the grassroots level.
Spreading down to the grassroots level
Not only at the higher-level trade unions, but also at the district and sectoral trade unions in Nghe An province, many practical activities have been implemented, tailored to the actual situation of each unit.
In Do Luong district, the District Labor Union, in coordination with the District Women's Union, disseminated information on labor policies for female workers, presented gifts to women in difficult circumstances, and encouraged union members to participate in donating traditional Vietnamese dresses (áo dài) to female union members and workers at Minh Anh Garment Joint Stock Company - Do Luong. In addition, the District Labor Union also coordinated with the Department of Labor, War Invalids and Social Affairs and the District Social Insurance agency to monitor labor policies for female workers at EcoGreen Trading and Manufacturing Company Limited.
Meanwhile, union members and workers of the Vinh City Federation of Labor were enthusiastically participating in the "Union Member Rhythm" competition. With 19 teams and 400 union members participating, the competition truly became a large playground and a spiritual feast for female union members and workers on the occasion of October 20th.
Also this month, the Vinh City Trade Union, in coordination with the Vinh City Women's Union, organized an event to commend and honor 36 outstanding female entrepreneurs in 2023; presented 10 gifts to female workers in difficult circumstances at the Em-Tech Vietnam Co., Ltd. Branch Trade Union, each gift worth 500,000 VND; and directed the organization of workers' club activities at the Green Park Company Trade Union.
Regarding healthcare for female union members, the Education Sector Trade Union implemented the "Your Health - Our Happiness" program for 300 female officials, teachers, and workers belonging to grassroots trade unions; the Tan Ky Labor Federation coordinated with the District Health Center to organize gender equality and reproductive health care communication for more than 250 workers; and the Trade Union...OfficialsIn coordination with Medlatec Nghe An Testing Center, they organized free health check-ups for more than 2,000 female union members from affiliated grassroots trade unions…
With the aim of creating a fun and engaging environment, the Dien Chau District Trade Union organized the "Golden Bell Challenge - Understanding Labor Laws and Policies, the Trade Union Congress at all levels for the 2023-2028 term, and knowledge of Population - Family Planning and Reproductive Health" competition in 2023. With 100 female union members from 20 grassroots trade unions participating, the competition not only provided an opportunity for learning but also a fun and engaging opportunity for networking. The competition also awarded 10 meaningful gifts to 10 female union members in difficult circumstances on the occasion of the 93rd anniversary of Vietnamese Women's Day.
In addition, there are many other outstanding activities of the district and sectoral trade unions. At the grassroots level, thegrassroots trade unionThey also organized many lively activities such as rallies, flower arranging competitions, baking contests, cultural and sports exchanges, club activities, and visits and gift-giving to female union members and their children in difficult circumstances.
