Society

Part 3: Affirming the position of trade unions and workers

Thanh Thuy - Diep Thanh • June 30, 2025 08:22

The images of thousands of foreign workers and managers solemnly saluting the flag at the beginning of the week, or the “international families” formed in FDI factories are the “sweet fruits” from the long journey of building trust of Nghe An Trade Union. The harmony in labor relations not only ends tense strikes but also contributes to creating the attractiveness of Vietnam in general, and Nghe An in particular, on the investment map.

Part 3:
Position in the era of growth

Harmony in labor relations not only puts an end to tense strikes but also creates an ideal working environment, contributing to the attractiveness of Vietnam in general and Nghe An in particular on the investment map.

"Extended families" without borders

After a long journey of persistently building trust and improving the level of workers, the sweet fruits of the relationship between FDI enterprises and Trade Union organizations in Nghe An are becoming increasingly clear. The atmosphere of dialogue has replaced confrontation, understanding has erased prejudices, creating "international families" right in the heart of factories and enterprises.

“My company had a strike in the early years of operation. But after nearly 15 years, I and many workers are still attached to this company and consider it our second home,” said Ms. Nguyen Thi Yen, manager of MLB Yen Thanh Co., Ltd. This is evidence of a profound transformation in the thinking of FDI managers, a process that has been persistently nurtured by dedicated union officials.

This change has also spread strongly to other enterprises. At Kido Vinh Co., Ltd., the work stoppage has ended for many years. The relationship between employees and employers is so close that the appearance of the management board always receives warm applause. The enterprise even pioneered the establishment of a Party cell and always supports all activities of the trade union.

Or at Gaiwach Vietnam International Apparel Co., Ltd., the management not only trusts and supports all proposals from the union but is also willing to pay extra bonuses to workers who actively participate in cultural and sports movements. Witnessing union officials and workers teaching Vietnamese to the director together, people understand that this relationship has gone beyond the scope of work, becoming a sincere friendship...

The greatest success of Nghe An Trade Union is not only in protecting rights, but also in carrying out a special mission: "Vietnamizing" FDI enterprises with cultural values ​​and national pride.

The image of thousands of workers of Wooin Vina Co., Ltd. in red flags with yellow stars solemnly singing the National Anthem every Monday morning is one of the most vivid and influential proofs. Few people know that, to have this atmosphere of "Great Unity - Full of Enthusiasm", Dien Chau Trade Union officials have persistently played the role of a bridge, resolving disagreements from the tense strike in 2019. They have aroused national pride, turning it into a glue that binds, creating great spiritual strength for the collective.

It is this pride that has created many very Vietnamese, very international moments right at FDI enterprises in Nghe An. These are the images of Chinese, Korean, Japanese managers... checking in with the red flag with the yellow star on April 30; standing solemnly to salute the flag with workers; wearing traditional ao dai to perform art; joining hands to donate to help people in flood-affected areas. They are no longer distant bosses, but have become part of the community, cheering together in sports competitions, and donating blood to save lives.

This close bond not only brings spiritual value. It is a solid foundation for the stability and development of the enterprise. A harmonious working environment, where employees are respected and have a voice, is the motivation for them to contribute and stay long-term, thereby minimizing personnel fluctuations and improving productivity.

Practical results have proven that. Most businesses that have built good labor relations have stable growth, continuously expand in scale, receive many orders and have great development potential. When employees and employers look in the same direction, they create a resonance force, helping businesses overcome all difficulties.

Investment environment positioning

Mr. Pan Dong Hua - Human Resources Director of Everwin Precision Technology Co., Ltd. (Vietnam) shared: Since our enterprise was first established with 50 workers, Nghe An Trade Union officials have always coordinated with the enterprise to focus on caring for and improving the material and spiritual life of the workers. They accompany and stand side by side with the enterprise, direct the grassroots trade union to grasp the thoughts and aspirations of union members, and have regular dialogues to resolve problems in labor relations. What is special is that they are willing to directly support the enterprise in monitoring the implementation of the law and advising the enterprise, perfecting labor management, making an important contribution to resolving harmonious, stable and progressive labor relations, preventing labor disputes and strikes. That is why, for our FDI enterprises, maintaining professional trade union activities and directly directing the grassroots trade union effectively is an extremely important factor.

It is known that Everwin Precision Vietnam Technology Co., Ltd. is implementing a large-scale electronic component manufacturing project in Nghe An. The project has a total investment of about 400 million USD, of which the first phase is 200 million USD, on an area of ​​over 43 hectares. Regarding labor, the company plans to employ about 15,000 people after completion.

In the context of a volatile global economy, Nghe An has emerged as a magnet on the FDI attraction map. For 3 consecutive years (2022-2024), Nghe An has been in the top 10 provinces and cities nationwide in attracting FDI. In the first 6 months of 2025, this capital flow continued to flow in with nearly 300 million USD newly registered and increased capital. In that context, neighboring localities are also in a period of hot growth, the risk of unstable labor relations and "contagious" strikes is a reality.

However, the way Nghe An Trade Union has done has shown a different direction. Instead of just dealing with the crisis when it has broken out, it has chosen to “treat the disease from the root” by raising awareness and skills for workers, and changing the mindset of managers. This model has created a “safe belt” for the province’s investment environment.

Ms. Lang Thi Thanh Hoa - Chairwoman of VSIP Nghe An Co., Ltd.'s Trade Union shared: "Up to now, enterprises in VSIP Industrial Park have always received close, timely and effective guidance from the Southeast Economic Zone Trade Union, so labor relations are harmonious and stable. This is the basis for enterprises to continue to choose Nghe An as a destination in recent years. In the coming time, after the lean revolution, we hope to continue to receive this support and companionship, so that FDI enterprises have more "support" in stabilizing labor relations, and feel more secure in business and production."

Faced with a new wave of investment with increasingly high demands on technology and management, the challenges for the Trade Union organization are greater than ever. Mr. Kha Van Tam - Chairman of the Nghe An Provincial Labor Federation affirmed: To meet the requirements of the new situation, Nghe An Trade Union must focus all resources to build a new generation of trade union cadres - those with enough courage, intelligence and ingenuity to truly be reliable partners of both businesses and workers. Specifically, trade union cadres must be professional in their profession and firm in their legal knowledge. They must not only have a firm grasp of Vietnamese labor law to have a fair dialogue with the business's lawyers, but also must be psychological negotiators, with a "cool head" to analyze and a "warm heart" to understand and persuade. Training on negotiation skills, dialogue and strike resolution will continue to be innovated and promoted.

In addition, union officials must be astute "cultural interpreters". In reality, many conflicts do not arise from interests but from cultural clashes. Therefore, union officials must be able to use intimacy and simple language to calm the crowd, while at the same time thoroughly analyzing for foreign leaders to understand the fundamental ethical and traditional values ​​of the Vietnamese people. Above all, union officials must have the ability to integrate. Given the reality of FDI capital flows, we consider equipping foreign languages ​​a strategic step. The recently organized free Chinese class is the necessary preparation for union officials to be able to work directly, confidently and increase the influence of the organization. On the basis of a high-quality team, we can replicate successful labor relations models such as those at Wooin Vina, MLB Yen Thanh, Kido Vinh... and further promote the bridging role of union officials with businesses in improving the actual skills of workers.

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We believe that investing in people and union officials is investing in the stability of the business environment. A union team with enough heart, patience, always listening, sharing, understanding... will be essential for the confidence of investors, contributing to affirming Nghe An's position and raising the image of Vietnam in the international arena.

Mr. Kha Van Tam - Chairman of Nghe An Provincial Labor Federation