Focus on caring for and motivating employees.

Many positive developments

The activities of the Nghe An Provincial Trade Union in the first six months of the year have realized the theme "Taking care of jobs and living conditions for workers, striving to achieve the highest possible results in fulfilling the goals and tasks of the Resolution of the 12th Congress of the Vietnam Trade Union, the Resolution of the 18th Congress of the Nghe An Provincial Trade Union, term 2018 - 2023, and the goals, targets, and tasks of the Resolutions of the Trade Union Congresses at all levels".

Workers attend a dialogue with the Chairman of the Provincial People's Committee during Workers' Month 2022. Photo: Diep Thanh

In the early months of 2022, the Covid-19 pandemic severely impacted Nghe An province, significantly affecting the lives and livelihoods of workers. However, in recent months, with the pandemic largely under control, socio-economic activities have returned to a new normal with many positive developments in most sectors. Activities from the grassroots to the provincial level have been implemented promptly and effectively. Among the province's socio-economic achievements, two social housing projects for workers in the Nam Cam Industrial Park, comprising 6,457 apartments, are particularly noteworthy. Furthermore, the investment environment has significantly improved, creating jobs for many workers. Education, healthcare, and social security are ensured, and people's lives have improved considerably.

In the first five months of the year, the production and business activities of enterprises in the province initially stabilized, with average income for workers in these enterprises ranging from 5 to 5.7 million VND per person per month. However, due to the impact of the Russia-Ukraine conflict and the consequences of the Covid-19 pandemic, the prices of some input goods have increased, especially gasoline, iron, and steel... leading to a localized shortage of labor, causing delays in construction investment projects, increased total investment costs, affected investment efficiency, and particularly impacting the disbursement of public investment capital... all of which have directly affected the lives of workers and trade union activities.

The Chairman of the Provincial Labor Union, Mr. Kha Van Tam, presents gifts to disadvantaged workers at the workers' dormitory. Photo: Provided by the Provincial Labor Union.

In light of this situation, surveys conducted by trade unions show that a large number of union members and workers desire price stabilization for gasoline, essential consumer goods, and an increase in the minimum wage to ensure a decent standard of living for workers.

Motivating employees

Understanding the thoughts and aspirations of union members and workers, Comrade Nguyen Chi Cong - Vice Chairman of the Provincial Federation of Labor Unions, said: "In partnership with businesses and workers, the trade unions at all levels in Nghe An have implemented many solutions and innovative changes to improve the quality and effectiveness of their activities, contributing to caring for and protecting the rights and interests of workers."

Organizing free motorcycle oil changes for workers during Workers' Month 2021. Photo: Diep Thanh

One of the important functions of trade unions is participating in policy-making and protecting the rights of workers. Accordingly, trade unions at all levels regularly organize Law Day events, through which they guide propaganda work and provide new documents and regulations related to workers and employees. Leveraging its organizational responsibility, the Provincial Federation of Labor directly participated in providing feedback and organizing conferences to discuss four draft documents related to the rights and interests of workers. Specifically, it helped resolve difficulties in providing benefits to workers infected with COVID-19, guided the working and isolation regimes of workers who are close contacts (F1) at enterprises, and provided guidance on disinfection spraying at enterprises… The livestream event on post-COVID-19 care and social insurance benefits for workers laid off due to COVID-19 infection, organized by the Nghe An Trade Union, received significant attention and positive feedback from union members and workers.

To prevent and limit strikes and collective work stoppages, grassroots dialogue activities have been given increased attention. In particular, the 2022 meeting and dialogue between the Chairman of the Provincial People's Committee and workers was highly appreciated by all levels and sectors.

The delegation from the Provincial Labor Union worked with the leadership of VietGlory Co., Ltd. to resolve the strike situation. Photo: Diep Thanh

In addition, through surveys to understand the living conditions of workers, the Provincial Labor Union has proposed to relevant departments and the National Assembly delegation to increase the regional minimum wage and adjust the regional classification in some districts, towns, and cities in Nghe An province. As a result, when Decree No. 38/2022/ND-CP was issued, some districts in Nghe An were upgraded from region 4 to region 3, and from region 3 to region 2, leading to a wage increase of nearly 700,000 VND per month for many workers in Nghe An.

The negotiation, signing, and implementation of collective labor agreements and dialogues within enterprises have been decisively directed and implemented by all levels of the Nghe An Provincial Trade Union. This includes organizing conferences to discuss solutions to improve the quantity and quality of collective labor agreements, and assigning targets for signing new and renewing collective labor agreements to each unit. To date, over 85% of enterprises with trade union organizations have collective labor agreements, some of which contain many beneficial provisions regarding wages, bonuses, transportation allowances, housing, attendance bonuses, childcare support, health check-ups, and meal allowances for workers. Notably, some enterprises in Nghia Dan district provide meal allowances for workers ranging from 35,000 to 37,000 VND per meal. In many enterprises, trade unions have also actively participated in developing wage scales and labor regulations; annually, trade unions coordinate the organization of worker conferences and dialogues, achieving nearly 70% participation.

Dialogue program between the Management Board of the Southeast Economic Zone and workers. Photo: Diep Thanh

Trade union legal counseling activities continued to be strengthened, with 102 legal counseling sessions. These included 40 sessions on Nghe An Newspaper, 5 sessions on the Trade Union Television page, and 57 sessions via telephone and in person at the office. In addition, trade union levels organized mobile legal counseling and dissemination sessions on the 2019 Labor Code, the 2014 Social Insurance Law, the Law amending and supplementing certain articles of the Law on Cadres and Civil Servants, and the Law on Public Employees for hundreds of workers.

Since the beginning of the year, trade unions at all levels in Nghe An province have successfully resolved five strikes. In particular, at Vietglory Co., Ltd. in Dien Chau district, the Provincial Labor Federation established a working group to directly negotiate the legitimate demands of the workers, which the company agreed to. Expressing her joy that the company agreed to a 6% increase in current wages after the union's intervention, worker Nguyen Thi Ha of Vietglory Co., Ltd. in Dien Chau district shared: “We are very grateful to the trade union. Thanks to their intervention, we have more income and more money to buy milk for our children.”

To prevent chain reactions after strikes, the Provincial Labor Union has organized three conferences to implement solutions for preventing and resolving strikes in the area. Currently, the Nghe An Provincial Labor Union is leading and coordinating the development of the Project "Strengthening leadership and guidance in preventing strikes,resolving strikesin Nghe An province."

The delegation from the Vietnam General Confederation of Labor (VGCL) on a trip to exchange experiences in handling strikes in order to develop a project entitled "Strengthening leadership and guidance in preventing and resolving strikes in Nghe An province". Photo: Provided by the VGCL delegation.

The program reaching out to workers and laborers residing in rented accommodations has been effectively implemented by trade unions at all levels. Following a field survey, the Provincial Federation of Labor promptly provided support of 300,000 VND per person to workers and laborers residing in rented accommodations within the VSIP industrial park. Many districts and sectors responded by visiting and giving gifts to workers and laborers renting accommodation.boarding house, rented houseof workers in the area. In addition, activities such as visiting and giving gifts to workers and laborers in difficult circumstances, and supporting the Union's Shelter program for union members are also regularly implemented.

The practical support and care provided by trade unions to improve the lives of workers has further motivated them to work diligently, increase their income, and contribute to the joint efforts of businesses and the government in economic recovery after the pandemic.

Tran Van - Thu Hang