From the Resolution on building a strong trade union organization

Therefore, recently, General Secretary Nguyen Phu Trong signed and issued Resolution No. 02-NQ/TW of the Politburo on innovation of organization and operation of Vietnam Trade Union in the new situation.

INNOVATION IS NECESSARY

After more than 90 years of formation and development, after 35 years of national renovation, Vietnam Trade Union has matured in all aspects, made worthy contributions to the great victory of the revolution, and contributed to building an increasingly strong Vietnamese working class.

Over the years, the trade union has become a solid support for union members and workers. Photo: LĐLĐ

However, the organization and operation of the Trade Union still have some limitations and weaknesses, failing to meet the requirements of the new situation. Typically, the work of developing union members and grassroots unions is not commensurate with the development speed of enterprises and workers; the quality of union members is not high, the effectiveness of grassroots unions is limited; The organizational model and methods of gathering union members and workers are slow to be innovated; The work of buildingunion staffThere are still shortcomings; many places lack specialized staff, and some staff have weak capacity; Trade union activities in some sectors and localities are not linked to the characteristics, needs, and legitimate aspirations of union members and workers and the situation of labor relations. The effectiveness of propaganda, mobilization, and education of union members and workers is not high.

The above shortcomings lead to the limited role of representing, protecting the legitimate and legal rights and interests, and promoting the ownership rights of workers and laborers; the situation of labor disputes and collective work stoppages is still complicated, potentially causing instability in security and order.

Chairman of the Provincial Labor Federation Kha Van Tam awarded the Medal "For the cause of building the Trade Union organization" to 4 outstanding individuals. Photo: DT

Resolution No. 02-NQ/TW pointed out many reasons leading to the above situation, mainly: Awareness and responsibility of some Party committees and authorities on the position and role of trade unions are not adequate; Content and methods of propaganda, mobilization and gathering, especially at grassroots trade unions are not suitable; Consulting and coordination to solve issues related to workers and trade unions are still limited; The quality of trade union cadres and workers has not met the requirements of the market economy development process, the opportunities and challenges of the 4.0 Industrial Revolution...

In the coming time, the number of workers and laborers will increase, the market economy will develop more and more, the Fourth Industrial Revolution will be accompanied by the spirit of international integration. Allowing the establishment of labor organizations in enterprises will have a profound impact on employment, quality of human resources, attracting and gathering laborers... That context poses an urgent need to strongly and substantially innovate the organization and activities of the Vietnam Trade Union.

Union officials visit workers at the boarding house. Photo: Labor Union

Resolution No. 02-NQ/TW set out the goal of building a comprehensively strong Vietnam Trade Union, capable of adapting to and solving problems, performing well its functions and tasks in the new situation; being a solid political and social foundation of the Party and State; playing a good role as a bridge, maintaining close ties between the Party and State with the working class and laborers; worthy of being the largest representative organization, the center for gathering and uniting the working class and laborers nationwide; contributing to building a modern and strong Vietnamese working class, a pioneering force in carrying out the task of rapid and sustainable development of the country.

The above target is specified by the following figures: By 2023, we strive to have 12 million union members, over 70% of enterprises signing collective labor agreements (CLAs); By 2025, we strive to have 13.5 million union members, over 80% of enterprises signing CLAs; By 2030, we strive to have 16.5 million union members, over 85% of enterprises signing CLAs; By 2045, most workers at the grassroots level are members of the Vietnam General Confederation of Labor and 99% of enterprises and units with trade unions signing CLAs.

SOLUTIONS ON ALL ASPECTS

To make the above goal a reality, the Politburo has proposed 6 urgent tasks and solutions, affecting all aspects of the trade union organization.

The first mentioned solution isinnovation and improvementEffective work of gathering and mobilizing union members and workers; focusing on developing union members and grassroots unions. Accordingly, trade union organizations need to research and deploy methods and models of gathering union members and workers to adapt to the new situation; innovate the content and methods of propaganda and mobilization to attract, gather and orient workers and workers; Strengthen mobilization and persuasion of workers and employers; Innovate the process and procedures for admitting union members and establishing grassroots unions in a flexible, proactive, timely and practical manner; Focus on establishing grassroots unions, especially in non-state enterprises, where there are many workers, where there are potential complications in labor relations.

Vice President of the Provincial Federation of Labor Nguyen Thi Thu Nhi shared the content of Resolution No. 02-NQ/TW with the chairmen of grassroots trade unions. Photo: DT

Vietnam Trade Union needs to continue to arrange and perfect the organizational model in a new direction, improve the effectiveness of the 4-level trade union organization model, focus on improving the quality of grassroots trade unions and have a suitable model to attract, gather and protect workers in the informal sector... To do this, Vietnam Trade Union needs to buildunion staffprofessional, qualified and capable to meet the requirements of the tasks in the new situation. The trade union organization also needs to research and issue appropriate policies to recruit union cadres who have grown up from the grassroots, in the workers' movement, and propose a reasonable mechanism for assigning payroll to the union.

Regarding the content and methods of operation, trade unions at all levels shall base on the legitimate needs and aspirations and the representation, care and protection of the legitimate rights and interests of union members and workers to determine; Strengthen training, practice, improve awareness and political capacity, industrial style, legal knowledge, labor discipline... for union members and workers; Actively expand and improve the effectiveness of foreign affairs activities to learn from experience, mobilize resources, promote innovation, and enhance the position of Vietnam Trade Unions in the international arena; Promote administrative reform and application of information technology; Strengthen internal self-inspection and supervision, do a good job of forecasting, and promptly handle newly arising situations and issues.

Nghe An union members donate to support people in epidemic areas, accompanying people nationwide in the fight against Covid-19. Photo: PV

In order to build a strong enough financial resource to effectively perform the functions and tasks of the Trade Union, Resolution No. 02-NQ/TW clearly stated that the Trade Union needs to promptly review and amend regulations on management and use of trade union funds and assets, maintain existing resources and encourage the socialization of resources so that the Trade Union can effectively perform its assigned tasks; Use trade union finances and assets economically and effectively, prioritize resources to perform the task of caring for, representing and protecting the rights of workers; Strengthen inspection, examination and supervision of trade union finances and assets, improve the operational efficiency and autonomy of enterprises and trade union economic units, contributing to creating resources for trade union activities.

In the process of innovation, it is necessary to strengthen the Party's leadership over trade union organizations and activities; Disseminate to Party committees, Party organizations, authorities, the Fatherland Front, and socio-political organizations to fully and deeply understand the position, role, functions, tasks, opportunities, challenges and new issues facing Vietnam's Trade Union in the context of our country's deep international integration. Trade unions at all levels need to pay attention to the development work, improve the operational efficiency of Party organizations and unions in non-state enterprises, and establish trade union organizations to create the premise.establish party organization, other organizations.

Trade unions need to focus on establishing grassroots unions, especially in non-state enterprises, where there are many workers and where labor relations are potentially complicated. Photo: DT

To innovate its activities, trade unions cannot do without effective coordination with state agencies, the Fatherland Front, socio-political organizations, economic organizations, and social organizations. It is necessary to continue reviewing, perfecting, inspecting, and supervising the implementation of policies and laws on labor and trade unions; studying, amending, and supplementing the 2012 Trade Union Law. The Government, relevant ministries, branches, and authorities at all levels need to develop programs, coordination regulations, and action plans to care for and ensure the rights of workers, support, and create conditions for trade unions to operate in accordance with their principles, purposes, and in a practical and effective manner.

At the same time, the State and authorities at all levels need to have mechanisms to mobilize and allocate adequate financial resources to improve social welfare, care for and resolve difficulties and pressing issues of workers.especially housing, schools, hospitals, places of entertainment, handling unexpected situations affecting jobs and income.