Enhancing the position of trade unions in non-state enterprises

(Baonghean) - According to the Provincial Federation of Labor, there are over 10,000 non-state enterprises in the province, but only 369 enterprises have trade unions. The current situation of organizations representing and protecting the legitimate rights and interests of workers in non-state enterprises is too lacking and weak...

Cau Duoc Cement and Construction Materials Joint Stock Company is a company with a long tradition. The trade union here was once highly appreciated by the Construction Industry Trade Union, but in the past 3 years it has been completely "paralyzed". Recently, at this company, there was an incident where small shareholders and workers surrounded the factory, not allowing the company's leaders to sell machinery. Mr. Nguyen Tu Huy - Chairman of the Trade Union of Cau Duoc Cement and Construction Materials Joint Stock Company honestly said: "From 2012 until now, the trade union has almost ceased to operate, the Board of Directors and the Board of Directors have not allowed them to attend meetings; even the annual shareholders' meeting has not been allowed to participate"...

According to Mr. Nguyen Khac An - Vice Chairman of Vinh City Labor Federation, Cau Duoc Cement and Construction Materials Joint Stock Company is just an example illustrating the "weakness" of grassroots unions in non-state enterprises. And in Vinh City, such examples are not rare, because in the recent past, for many different reasons, more than 10 grassroots unions in non-state enterprises had to dissolve. Assessing the situation of workers, according to the 2014 report of Vinh City Labor Federation, the non-state enterprise sector encountered many difficulties in production and business, which affected the employment and income of workers.

The implementation of policies and regimes for employees in many enterprises is not good; the signing of labor contracts lacks specificity, the contract term is not in accordance with regulations and is not suitable for the nature of the work. Many enterprises are family-sized, only paying social insurance for management employees; the remaining employees only sign 3-month contracts; the situation of evasion and debt of social insurance in enterprises is increasingly complicated.

Workers of Minh Anh - Kim Lien Garment Company during working hours.

In Quy Hop district, according to the Tax Department, up to now, there are about 220 enterprises that have registered tax codes. According to Ms. Dinh Thi Hai Ly - Chairwoman of Quy Hop District Labor Federation, among these, there are 10 enterprises with Trade Union organizations, "but only the Trade Union of Phu Quy Stone Joint Stock Company is operating relatively effectively". Because the characteristics of enterprises in Quy Hop are mainly mining and processing minerals, the number of workers is quite large, the work is heavy, dangerous, and toxic, so Quy Hop District Labor Federation wants grassroots trade unions to develop and promote their role. However, to mobilize the establishment of trade unions and maintain their activities is extremely difficult.

According to Mr. Nguyen Tu Phuong - Member of the Executive Committee of the Vietnam General Confederation of Labor, Vice Chairman of the Provincial Confederation of Labor, the issue of employment, wages, and living income of workers is a very urgent issue. The situation of enterprises facing difficulties and finding ways to reduce input costs, unpaid wages, and social insurance debts of workers still occurs frequently, affecting the employment and income of workers; the situation of evading social insurance and unemployment insurance payments at enterprises, especially at non-state enterprises, is common. Meanwhile, although they are representatives and have the duty to protect the legitimate rights and interests of workers, the number of grassroots trade unions at enterprises is still very low and their operations are not very effective.

The whole province has more than 10,000 non-state enterprises but only 369 enterprises have trade unions. In the past time, the Provincial Federation of Labor has focused on directing the establishment of trade unions in non-state enterprises but the results are still limited. The basic reason is that business owners do not have a correct understanding of the role of trade unions; in addition, workers are not aware of their legitimate rights and interests to see the necessity of trade unions. Regarding the activities of grassroots trade unions, because they receive salaries from the enterprise, trade union officials are dependent on the will of business owners, from which all necessary activities, from propagating policies and guidelines, organizing cultural and spiritual activities to representing and protecting the rights of workers are all neglected.

In the coming time, the province needs to have sanctions for enterprises to comply with regulations, including creating all conditions for the establishment of trade unions. As for trade unions, it is necessary to pay attention and have specific, practical activities associated with enterprises so that workers and business owners can see the role and necessity of trade unions. In the near future, the Provincial Federation of Labor will test sending cadres to work full-time at an enterprise with over 500 workers... In addition, it is necessary to determine that strengthening and enhancing the role and position of non-state trade unions is not only the responsibility of labor federations at all levels but also requires the participation of many levels and many sectors to build harmonious labor relations, ensuring the legitimate and legal rights and interests of workers.

Nhat Lan