The Provincial Labor Union is implementing the process of negotiating and signing collective labor agreements.
On April 21st, the Nghe An Provincial Federation of Labor organized a conference to evaluate the implementation of Resolution 01/DCT on Collective Labor Agreements for 2025, to deploy tasks for 2026, and to provide negotiation skills training for grassroots trade union officials.
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In 2025, despite facing numerous changes in organizational models, the negotiation and signing of collective labor agreements in the province still achieved remarkable results. By the end of 2025, 443 out of 576 eligible enterprises in the province had signed collective labor agreements, reaching a rate of 76.9%. Of these, state-owned enterprises achieved a 100% rate, FDI enterprises reached 87%, and the non-state sector reached 74.9%.
The quality of collective bargaining agreements is constantly improving, with many provisions more favorable to workers than those stipulated by law. Many businesses have implemented practical welfare programs... During the year, the Provincial Labor Federation also commended 50 outstanding grassroots trade union officials for their excellent achievements in this work.
Besides the achievements, the conference also frankly pointed out the shortcomings: The reorganization and transfer of data from district-level and sectoral labor federations to commune and ward-level trade unions has resulted in inconsistent access to and transfer of data in some units, leading to interruptions in the process of urging new and renewed contracts at times.
A significant portion of collective bargaining agreements remain largely formalistic, with superficial content, primarily copying legal regulations without reflecting specific agreements on wages, bonuses, or improvements to actual working conditions at the unit. The main reasons stem from the limited negotiation skills of some union officials, a hesitant attitude, and a lack of interest from employers in a few businesses.
Entering 2026, the Nghe An Provincial Federation of Labor aims for at least 91% of enterprises with labor unions to have signed collective labor agreements, with at least 40% of these agreements achieving a Grade A rating.
The focus of action will be a breakthrough: "Building a professional team of trade union officials," concentrating on improving dialogue skills and legal knowledge for grassroots trade union chairpersons.
Speaking at the conference, Comrade Nguyen Chi Cong – Standing Vice Chairman of the Provincial Federation of Labor Unions – emphasized: 2025 is a crucial transitional year, and despite many efforts, the target for signing new labor agreements has not yet met expectations. In the coming period, all levels of trade unions need to promptly negotiate and renew labor agreements that have expired or are about to expire (currently, 133 agreements expire in 2026), avoiding any legal gaps in protecting workers.
Trade unions at all levels must incorporate practical issues such as wages, bonuses, the quality of meals provided to employees, and specific benefits of the enterprise into the Collective Labor Agreement, instead of just focusing on common bereavement and wedding allowances... The Provincial Federation of Labor and the commune/ward trade unions must work closely with and provide specific guidance to newly established enterprises or units facing difficulties in the negotiation process, Comrade Nguyen Chi Cong stated.
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At the conference, the Provincial Labor Union assigned targets for signing new and amending labor agreements for 2026 to grassroots trade unions; and organized the signing of memoranda of understanding on the implementation of these targets.
