Promoting the Establishment of Grassroots Trade Unions in FDI Enterprises

Dong Nai is an industrial province that attracts many non-state enterprises to invest in business and production. This feature creates favorable conditions for the Provincial Confederation of Labor to promote membership growth and establish grassroots trade unions, especially in enterprises with 20 or more employees.

Representative of the grassroots trade union at New Apparel Far Eastern Co., Ltd., Vietnam (Dong Phu Commune, Dong Nai Province) presents gifts to members. Photo: Provided by the Trade Union

The establishment of grassroots trade unions in enterprises is the key to building harmonious labor relations, ensuring workers’ rights, and contributing to improving productivity and business reputation.

Many new grassroots trade unions established

At the end of August 2025, the Provincial Confederation of Labor organized the founding congress of the grassroots trade union at Vintech Seal Co., Ltd. (100% Korean-invested, located in Nhon Trach Commune, Dong Nai Province) with 117 members. Immediately after its establishment, the grassroots trade union developed operational regulations and mechanisms for coordination with company leaders on implementing employee policies and benefits, while stabilizing its organization and building programs to support workers.

Bui Thi Thuy, Chairwoman of the grassroots trade union at Vintech Seal Co., Ltd., said: “Right after the establishment, the Executive Committee of the grassroots trade union met to set specific goals for strengthening the organization’s role in the enterprise. Initially, we focused on promoting labor policies, the Charter of the Vietnam General Confederation of Labor, and the Labor Code to improve workers’ legal knowledge and help them understand the benefits of joining the union. At the same time, we encouraged workers to participate in emulation movements for the company’s development.”

Provincial Confederation of Labor leaders also emphasized building a team of trade union officials with strong capabilities and professionalism to protect workers’ livelihoods and jobs effectively. Trade union activities must be practical and meaningful so that workers feel supported and connected.

Bui Thi Bich Thuy, Standing Vice Chairwoman of the Provincial Confederation of Labor

Earlier, in May 2025, a grassroots trade union was established at Metal & Plastic Intellect Bincheng Vietnam Co., Ltd. (100% Chinese-invested, specializing in electronic plastic components, based in Long Khanh Industrial Park, Binh Loc Ward, Dong Nai Province) with 21 members. After more than five months of operation, the grassroots trade union stabilized its activities, helping build solidarity in the workplace, fostering enterprise development, and strengthening worker attachment. The grassroots trade union has promoted exemplary labor practices to inspire employees to participate in emulation movements and improve product quality.

Le Thi Hoai, a trade union member at Metal & Plastic Intellect Bincheng Vietnam, shared: “Since joining the trade union, I have felt more supported and cared for. I’m satisfied because union representatives always listen to workers’ concerns and proactively propose better welfare policies to company leadership. As a result, my colleagues and I feel secure in our jobs, comply with workplace regulations, and enjoy improved living standards.”

At Kawamura Electric Vietnam Co., Ltd. (Binh An Commune, Dong Nai Province), nearly eight years after its investment and operations in Dong Nai, a grassroots trade union was recently established with 77 members. This company is a 100% Japanese-invested enterprise specializing in motors, generators, transformers, and electrical distribution and control equipment. According to company leaders, the grassroots trade union’s establishment marks an important milestone, serving as a vital bridge between workers and management, and contributing to building harmonious, stable, and progressive labor relations.

Enhancing trade union effectiveness

According to the Provincial Confederation of Labor, in the first nine months of 2025, trade unions at all levels in the province have adopted flexible approaches to outreach, directly communicating with business owners about the functions and responsibilities of trade unions. They have also reviewed enterprises without union representation to reach out to workers and encourage the establishment of grassroots trade unions. Thanks to these creative and effective efforts, the province has formed 160 new grassroots trade unions and admitted more than 56,000 new members. Dong Nai now has nearly 2,300 grassroots trade unions with over 720,000 members.

Workers of Vintech Seal Co., Ltd. (Nhon Trach Commune, Dong Nai Province) feel secure in their jobs with the trade union by their side. Photo: Nguyen Hoa

Notably, following the provincial merger, the Provincial Confederation of Labor deployed personnel to four key areas to stay closely connected to workplaces and localities, particularly communes and wards with a high concentration of businesses, in order to better understand workers’ living and working conditions. In parallel, staff were assigned to support newly established grassroots trade unions in developing operational programs, internal regulations, and effective collaboration with company leadership to enhance both the material and spiritual well-being of workers. These efforts have yielded clear results, with growing trust among workers and an increasing number voluntarily joining the trade union.

Standing Vice Chairwoman Bui Thi Bich Thuy said: “Many grassroots trade unions in enterprises have effectively promoted their role and responsibility, becoming a reliable support for workers. Specifically, they have taken care of members’ material and spiritual well-being, supported those affected by job losses or hardships, visited and given gifts to workers in difficult circumstances or with serious illnesses, and organized cultural and sports activities to boost collective spirit.”

In fact, enterprises with grassroots trade unions tend to maintain stable labor relations, and union officials promptly communicate the Party’s policies and the State’s laws to workers.

Nguyen Thi Hoa, Chairwoman of the grassroots trade union at Quadrille Vietnam Co., Ltd. (Long Binh Ward), emphasized: “The role of trade union officials is crucial in skillfully negotiating worker benefits to be included in collective labor agreements. When supported by the enterprise, we can effectively implement activities for workers and encourage them to work productively. We prioritize communicating policies to workers to raise political awareness and responsibility.”

Bui Thi Bich Thuy emphasized that the presence and influence of grassroots trade unions within enterprises play a vital role in better protecting workers' rights. From now until the end of 2025, efforts to establish grassroots trade unions must be intensified, particularly in enterprises with 20 or more employees. Trade unions should review and renew their outreach methods, while also promoting successful models and best practices in worker support activities, so that both businesses and workers gain a deeper understanding of the trade union’s role. This undertaking is not only a central task but also a key objective in celebration of the 1st Congress of the Dong Nai Provincial Party Committee and trade union congresses at all levels for the 2025–2030 term.

By Thao My - Translated by Trieu Ngan, Minho