Part 1: The "bridges" of dialogue
With its synchronized infrastructure and abundant human resources, Nghe An has risen to become a major hub for attracting FDI nationwide. However, behind this impressive growth picture lie undercurrents of labor disputes and strikes that could erupt at any time due to cultural clashes or language barriers. Amidst these conflicts, trade union officials become the "firefighters," using their understanding and courage to defuse tensions and maintain a stable investment environment.
Part 1:
These are the "bridges" for dialogue.
With its well-developed infrastructure and abundant human resources, Nghe An has emerged as a key destination for FDI in the country. However, along with impressive growth, some instability is unavoidable, including labor disputes, cultural clashes, and language barriers. Amidst these conflicts, trade union officials act as a bridge between businesses and workers – using their understanding and resilience to resolve tensions and maintain a stable investment environment.
"Undercurrents" in labor relations
Over the past decade, Vietnam has emerged as a bright spot attracting FDI thanks to its political stability and participation in new-generation free trade agreements (FTAs) such as the CPTPP and EVFTA. Building on this foundation, Nghe An province has risen strongly, attracting large corporations such as VSIP, Luxshare, Goertek, and WHA… thanks to breakthroughs in connecting transportation infrastructure (North-South Expressway, Cua Lo deep-water port...), abundant human resources, and the government's strong commitment to improving the investment environment, building strategic confidence for businesses. The presence of FDI enterprises has created a strong impetus for the local economy, providing jobs for tens of thousands of workers with stable incomes, directly contributing to the province's GRDP growth and export turnover.
However, behind these impressive growth figures lie significant challenges, which can be likened to "undercurrents" threatening sustainable development. These include the risk of conflicts of interest and cultural clashes between employers and employees, stemming from differences in language, customs, and the application of labor laws. If these disagreements are not addressed through dialogue and resolution, they risk erupting into disputes and strikes, disrupting production chains and eroding investor confidence. Furthermore, there is increasing pressure on social infrastructure (housing, healthcare, education). In the long term, if these conflicts accumulate, they could negatively impact public order and security, affecting the political and social stability that is a core competitive advantage attracting FDI to Vietnam.
Having been involved with the trade union organization for over 20 years, and having directly participated in understanding and resolving many strike incidents in the province, Ms. Nguyen Thi Hoang Yen - a full-time trade union official of the Provincial Federation of Labor - shared: Bac Vinh is the first industrial park in Vinh City. In the early years of operation, businesses in the industrial park experienced labor relations tensions. The clearest manifestation was the illegal strikes at Matrix Vinh Co., Ltd., involving more than 2,000-3,000 workers and lasting for many days.
Besides reasons related to rights and interests, there are also reasons related to culture, behavior, language barriers, etc. The inability to find common ground, with neither side willing to compromise, leads to high levels of conflict. During this period, leaders of FDI enterprises still harbored a certain wariness towards union officials, believing that we were biased in our support of the workers. Some workers, in turn, suspected that we would side with the company for personal gain.
Lack of dialogue, misunderstanding, and empathy are the common root causes of many labor relations conflicts in the province. In the Nam Cam Industrial Park, BSE Electronics Co., Ltd. is also a company where large-scale collective work stoppages frequently occur.
Sharing one of the reasons for the most recent work stoppage, Ms. Hoang Thi Thu Huong, Chairwoman of the Southeast Economic Zone Trade Union, said: “The incident stemmed from the company's decision to transfer some older workers, who had dedicated many years to the outdoor cleaning department, which is hot and arduous. This originated from a purely profit-driven management perspective of the FDI enterprise, which is in contrast to fundamental Vietnamese values such as valuing loyalty and gratitude for long-term dedication. This led the workers to believe that the company was mistreating them. Previously, this company was criticized for its lack of consideration when it deducted wages from workers on leave due to bereavement. This conflict reveals a significant gap in understanding the ethical values and fundamental traditions of the Vietnamese people.”
During the large-scale strikes involving over 5,000 people at Viet Glory Co., Ltd. (Dien Chau), one of the reasons for the workers' frustration was the attitude of the Chinese managers. Workers did not understand the language, so when managers instructed or reminded them through their team leaders, they did not fully grasp the instructions, leading to repeated mistakes. When managers expressed their opinions in a harsh tone, the workers felt insulted and disrespected. Furthermore, workers were not clearly explained the allowance system for different positions, leading to resentment and dissatisfaction. As a result, workers went on strike for a week, causing the company to lose tens of billions of dong.
Mr. Nguyen Chi Cong, Vice Chairman of the Provincial Labor Union, shared: “From the perspective of businesses, especially FDI enterprises, business and production are the top concerns. This inadvertently makes them forget equally important factors such as labor relations and human resources, which are governed by Vietnam's unique cultural and social rules. Applying management models from the home country mechanically without proper adjustments is like wearing a ready-made garment and hoping our workers will fit into it. This 'mismatch' is what causes conflicts and simmering grievances. Strikes and work stoppages occur, causing losses for businesses, workers, and the locality alike.”
"Building bridges" through understanding.
When strikes occur, conflicts escalate to their peak, and that is when the character and role of trade union officials are most clearly demonstrated. They must be present at the "hot spot," standing between the two sides to listen, engage in dialogue, seek solutions, and defuse tensions.
During the collective work stoppages at Matrix Vinh Co., Ltd., faced with the indifference of the company and the suspicion of the workers, the union officials used perseverance and sincerity to resolve the issues. They immersed themselves in the lives of the workers for days on end, eating and talking with them to untangle their anxieties, finding and persuading the unofficial "leaders." They persistently contacted the company and persuaded them with solid knowledge of labor law, analyzing the gains and losses, the advantages and disadvantages… if tensions escalated. For nearly 10 years since the last strike, labor relations at this company have been stable and harmonious.
In the cultural conflict at BSE Electronics Co., Ltd., after calming the workers, union officials analyzed the root of the problem for the company to understand. “Behind FDI enterprises, there are always teams of experienced experts and lawyers, so union officials must be strong-willed. To stand in the eye of a strike, a union official must have a cool head to analyze the law, ‘translate’ the culture, and a warm heart to persuade and negotiate,” said Ms. Hoang Thi Thu Huong, President of the Southeast Economic Zone Union. Based on her experience, Ms. Huong believes that when facing thousands of workers, friendliness and simple language are more powerful; a well-timed joke can make an angry crowd laugh and reduce tension.
Ms. Tran Thi Nguyet, Vice President of the Trade Union of the Southeast Economic Zone, shared: “No two strikes are alike, and the reality is ever-changing. To stand firm amidst tensions, the key factor is flexibility and building trust among workers. With the experience of our trade union officials, in recent years, many conflicts have been prevented early on by gathering information through friendly channels, promptly reaching each workshop and each dormitory area to disseminate information. But sometimes we have to back down, letting them feel the damage they suffer when they intentionally cause difficulties. Ultimately, both the enterprise and the workers must see the consequences for the issue to be resolved thoroughly.”
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After years of instability, labor relations between employers and workers at Viet Glory Co., Ltd. (Dien Chau) have entered a new chapter. Three years ago, the keyword "Viet Glory" was associated with the image of thousands of workers in pink uniforms standing in front of the company gate on strike. Now, the company has doubled in size, orders are increasing, and the relationship between management and workers is friendly. Company leaders are very supportive of the union's activities for workers. Ms. Nguyen Thi Thuy (a worker at Viet Glory Co., Ltd.) shared: "Thanks to the involvement of the authorities at all levels and especially the guidance and support of the higher-level union, the working environment at the company has improved significantly. The leaders and managers know how to listen to and respect the workers, and the welfare benefits for employees are ensured, so we all feel secure in our work."
Not only in the cases at the aforementioned companies, but also at units such as Emtech Vinh Co., Ltd., Wooin Vina Co., Ltd., Haivina Kim Lien Co., Ltd., Zonsen International Packaging Co., Ltd. (Nghe An Branch)... collective work stoppages are quickly resolved after the trade union intervenes. Thanks to the knowledge and experience of the trade union officials, illegal strikes are not only quickly resolved but also prevented from occurring.
“Trade union officials not only protect the legitimate rights of workers, but also act as a ‘cultural filter,’ helping businesses understand that investing in cultural understanding and respect for people is also an investment in long-term stability and production efficiency. The ultimate goal is to create a working environment where the interests of the business and the rights of the workers do not conflict but go hand in hand, creating a synergistic effect. That is the only path to sustainable development. After each incident, the trade union continues to maintain its role of support, ensuring that what was agreed upon at the negotiating table is implemented in the factory,” emphasized Mr. Nguyen Chi Cong, Vice Chairman of the Provincial Federation of Labor.