What do I get when I join the Union?

Chairman of the Provincial Federation of Labor Nguyen Tu Phuong chaired the meeting. Photo: Thanh Duy

On the morning of April 10, the Provincial Federation of Labor held a press conference to inform about the upcoming 18th Congress of Nghe An Trade Union, term 2018 - 2023.

Answering journalists' questions about preparations for the congress as well as key directions for the new term, the meeting's chair - Chairman of the Provincial Federation of Labor Nguyen Tu Phuong frankly shared many related issues.

The head of the provincial Federation of Labor said that in the upcoming term, the Unions at all levels will have advantages in the country's socio-economic development, the number of workers will increase, and the lives of workers will also be better. The State's laws will also be more complete and perfect. Therefore, the number of union members and union organizations will also increase.

However, the Trade Union organization also faces many challenges. Therefore, Mr. Nguyen Tu Phuong emphasized that one of the key tasks in the new term is to continue to innovate the activities of Trade Unions at all levels, in which the grassroots Trade Union organization must grasp the situation, take care of workers, and represent and protect the legitimate rights and interests of workers.

The grassroots trade unions are responsible for providing guidance that is close to the specific conditions of each unit. Trade unions of administrative and public service units must take care of building a team with a friendly spirit towards the people and businesses...

"All of these require engagement and innovation in the leadership and direction of the Trade Union organization," the Chairman of the Provincial Federation of Labor emphasized.

Workers are completing the installation of the second cement grinding line at Nghi Thiet Cement Grinding Station. Photo: Archive

However, Mr. Nguyen Tu Phuong assessed that the activities of the Trade Union organization are still at a modest level due to difficulties in the staff in charge. Therefore, the Provincial Federation of Labor will have specific solutions to attract and improve the quality of this team, especially focusing on training and fostering.

A very important task in the new term that the Provincial Federation of Labor has set is to take care of the material and spiritual life and better implement the welfare of union members. "When I join the Union, what do I get?" - Mr. Nguyen Tu Phuong asked and emphasized that the Union organization must answer this question to attract workers.

According to statistics from the Provincial Federation of Labor, the average salary of workers in industrial parks is only 3.8 million VND/person/month, so their material and spiritual life is still difficult.

Raising the above concerns, Mr. Nguyen Tu Phuong shared: The trade union must contribute to building the working class from the smallest step of taking care of “food, clothing”, jobs, material and spiritual life for workers. From there, it can influence the ideology to improve the political capacity and position of the working class, contributing to building an increasingly better working class.

Journalist Tran Huu Nghia - Deputy Editor-in-Chief of Nghe An Newspaper spoke at the meeting. Photo: Thanh Duy

On the other hand, the Trade Union organization needs to continue to mobilize the labor and production movement of workers in both enterprises and the administrative and public service sectors, contributing to socio-economic development, effectively implementing the Party's guidelines and resolutions, and the State's policies and laws, thereby promoting the role of the Trade Union in participating in Party and State building.

“We have determined that the upcoming period for the Trade Union organization will still have many difficulties. We must clearly see the limitations, shortcomings, and weaknesses in the past so that we can overcome them in the coming time” - Chairman of the Provincial Federation of Labor Nguyen Tu Phuong affirmed to representatives of press agencies attending the meeting.

The 18th Congress of Nghe An Trade Union, term 2018 - 2023, will take place from the afternoon of April 18 to the end of April 19, 2018 with the participation of more than 320 delegates. It is expected that President of the Vietnam General Confederation of Labor Bui Van Cuong will attend the opening session.

The action slogan of Nghe An Trade Union for the 2018 - 2023 term is: "Focus on innovating the organization and operation of the Trade Union; practically taking care of the interests of union members in association with representing and protecting the legitimate rights of workers; building harmonious, stable and progressive labor relations; participating in building a strong working class, building a clean and strong Party and government, for the stability and sustainable development of the homeland and country".

The Congress will discuss and approve the Resolution of the Congress; contribute to the draft Charter of the Vietnam Trade Union, the Political Report of the 12th Congress of the Vietnam Trade Union.

The Congress will elect the 18th Executive Committee for the 2018-2023 term with 47 members; elect a delegation of 10 delegates to attend the 12th Congress of the Vietnam General Confederation of Labor. The 18th Standing Committee will also be elected with 15 members; and the Inspection Committee with 7 members.