Lesson 1: "Socialization" in caring for workers
Workers are considered the basic productive force of society, the decisive factor in the development of the country, playing an important role in implementing the country's political, economic, cultural and social tasks, contributing to building and defending the Fatherland. In the current political context, after Vietnam joined the CPTPP and the Labor Law allowed the establishment of organizations representing workers, attracting, retaining and developing union members and workers became the vital task of the Vietnam Trade Union. Creatively applying the mass mobilization lessons of President Ho Chi Minh, the Trade Union can completely perform this task well.
Lesson 1:
"Socialization" in
care for workers
Sharing support and caring for the practical benefits of union members is one of the core tasks of the trade union organization. With many ways of propaganda, advocacy, mobilizing contributions of resources from union members, businesses, socio-political organizations as well as other resources, Nghe An Trade Union has effectively implemented many welfare programs bringing practical benefits to tens of thousands of union members and workers.
Practical and concrete values
President Ho Chi Minh always advised to build a team of cadres, civil servants, and public employees who are dedicated, loyal, and wholeheartedly devoted to the people. For the Trade Union organization, only when dedicated, loyal, and wholehearted, can union cadres bring real values and practical, concrete benefits to union members and workers.
“The 40 million VND from the “Union Shelter” Fund that Nghe An Union donated is extremely valuable to my family. I know that the money is not only the sharing of the good leaves to cover the torn leaves of the union members for workers in difficult circumstances like my family, but also the propaganda and mobilization process from union officials, the heart and soul of union workers. The dream of a solid house for orphans has come true, now I can work with peace of mind, my children have better living conditions…” - Mr. Lo Van Quy could not hide his emotions when speaking at the “Union Shelter” house donation ceremony.
Mr. Lo Van Quy is a union member of the People's Committee of Hanh Dich Commune, under the Labor Federation of Que Phong District. In September 2022, his house completely collapsed due to the impact of storm No. 4 (Noru). Being an ethnic minority in a remote area, his wife works in agriculture, raising young children, the family's economy mainly depends on his meager salary. After the incident, with no place to live, his family had to stay with relatives. The whole family's life was extremely difficult and hard, for him, the dream of a new house was too far away. Fortunately, the Nghe An Trade Union Shelter Fund has become a "savior" for union members and workers in difficult circumstances like Mr. Quy. Knowing about Mr. Quy's family situation, the Que Phong District Labor Federation encouraged him to make efforts to realize his dream of a solid house... From the 40 million VND support from the Trade Union Shelter Fund, he was motivated to borrow more from friends and colleagues. After more than half a year of construction, the house of less than 100 square meters was completed and put into use.
In August, although the air is hot outside, the atmosphere inside the cafeteria of Wooin Vina Co., Ltd. (Dien Chau district) is extremely cheerful and comfortable. The 2,000 workers of the company are excited not only because today's lunch has many guests wearing blue union shirts, but also because today's meal is more special than usual. Accordingly, in today's "Union Meal" program, instead of the usual 20,000 VND meal, each worker receives a meal worth 50,000 VND, including: rice soup, boiled chicken, beef soup, ham, stir-fried beans and a box of yogurt.
Mr. Nguyen Van Tung - a member of the Union of Wooin Vina Co., Ltd., shared: "I feel very happy to participate in the "Union Meal" program. Previously, from the "Summer Cooling" program, we were also supported with cool nutritional drinks. Not just the meals, we feel the care and sharing from the union and the company's management when implementing these programs. From here, workers and laborers all feel grateful and try harder at work."
Also with gratitude, Ms. Nguyen Thi Nguyet - a worker at Trong Phuc Garment Company, Quynh Luu District shared: I am a woman but due to my busy work and limited finances, I rarely take the initiative to check my reproductive health. Recently, when I participated in the Free Health Checkup program organized by the Quynh Luu District Labor Federation and the company, I discovered that I had a tumor in my uterus. After the examination, the program doctor enthusiastically guided me to a specialist for treatment. If I had discovered it later, I don't know what would have happened to my condition. From the bottom of my heart, I am very grateful that the union has organized such a practical and meaningful program."
Among many practical programs organized by the Provincial Federation of Labor, the "Connecting Love" summer camp program for children of workers, orphans, and those in difficult circumstances left many emotions. After the event, Ms. Pham Thi Hai - a garment worker at Wooin Vina Co., Ltd. could not hide her emotions, confiding: "My daughter was very attached to her father, so when he passed away, she missed him so much. From a chubby child, she became weak, quiet, and shy. But after the first time away from home to attend a summer camp, she changed a lot. She was more cheerful, open, and confident, actively confiding in her mother about the trip, the teachers and friends at the summer camp, her own thoughts... I was extremely surprised by this change".
The stories and sharing of Mr. Quy, Mr. Tung, Ms. Nguyet, and Ms. Hai are small details in the big picture with thousands of stories about programs to care for union members and workers of Nghe An Trade Union. They are also the "sweet fruit" from the skillful mass mobilization model that Nghe An Trade Union has deployed for many years.
Multiply the power
In the article “Mass Mobilization”, President Ho Chi Minh wrote: “Mass mobilization is to mobilize all the forces of each citizen, not leaving out any citizen, contributing to the entire people’s force, to carry out the work that should be done, the work assigned by the Government and the Union”. Imbued with Uncle Ho’s teachings, with the functions and tasks of the organization, Nghe An Trade Union has applied many creative ways to multiply its strength. Not only quoting from the annual operating budget, from its position, Nghe An Trade Union has mobilized socialized resources to care for the material and spiritual life of union members, workers and laborers.
Mr. Nguyen Van Thuc - Head of the Department of Legal Policy and Labor Relations, Provincial Labor Federation shared: “For the “Union Shelter” program to be successful, trade unions at all levels must regularly propagate and thoroughly educate workers to understand the meaning of the program, and mobilize union members and workers to actively participate. The Provincial Labor Union has also developed specific and clear criteria to help access and resolve records quickly and conveniently. At the same time, propaganda work on giving union shelters is widely communicated. When workers and laborers see the meaning of the program, they will actively and effectively participate. In addition, the Provincial Labor Union also seeks support from the Golden Heart Fund, the Central Labor Newspaper, and the Union Shelter Funds of other provinces and cities to support the construction of union shelters for union members in difficult circumstances.”
With a support level of 40 million VND for new construction and 20 million VND for repairs, since the issuance of Resolution 02 of the Politburo on June 12, 2021, the Trade Union Shelter Fund has helped 280 houses to be newly built and repaired with a total amount of more than 9 billion VND, 2 boarding houses for teachers were built with an amount of 1 billion VND. With the attention and support of trade unions at all levels, workers in difficult circumstances in the province will have more support and motivation to overcome their circumstances, strive to work and produce, and contribute to building strong agencies and units. The program has also contributed to realizing the goal of the emulation movement nationwide to join hands to eliminate temporary and dilapidated houses in Nghe An province.
The series of "Union member welfare" programs with free incentives and discounts exclusively for union members and workers at fairs, shopping malls, hospitals, clinics, extracurricular classes for workers' and laborers' children... are also the result of the union's persistent negotiation, propaganda and advocacy with business owners. The messages "workers are valuable assets", "caring for workers is caring for businesses" have become the common spirit in all activities. From 2019 to 2023, 71 agreements on union member welfare have been signed with more than 30,000 workers and laborers benefiting. In particular, the focus is on benefits related to health care, consumer support, discounts on transportation services, resorts, etc.
There are many other activities to care for union members and workers bearing the "brand" of the Trade Union organization with the cooperation of many units. According to statistics, Nghe An Trade Union at all levels has supported and mobilized support for union members and workers affected by the Covid-19 epidemic with a total amount of more than 27 billion VND. In 3 years of putting Resolution 02 into practice, the total budget for the "Workers' Month" activities was nearly 20 billion VND; The total budget for organizing "Tet Sum Vay" activities was more than 77 billion VND; Supported 280 "Union Shelter" houses with a total amount of more than 9 billion VND; Built 2 boarding houses for teachers with an amount of 1 billion VND; The "Loan for employment" program has disbursed 1.3 billion VND...
It can be said that thanks to “skillful mass mobilization”, the trade union not only promotes the role and tasks of its organization but also mobilizes the participation of businesses, workers and resources of socio-political organizations to better care for union members and workers. From there, the position of the trade union organization is increasingly affirmed and honored.
