Provincial Trade Union congresses must be completed by March 2026

The Vietnam General Confederation of Labor (VGCL) has just announced plan to organize Trade Union congresses at all levels in preparation for the 14th National Trade Union Congress for the 2026–2031 term. The Trade Union congresses at all levels serve as a series of political activities, guided by the motto: “Solidarity, Democracy, Discipline, Innovation, Development.”

Delegates vote at 11th former Dong Nai Provincial Trade Union Congress, 2023-2028 term. Illustration photo: N. Hoa

According to the VGCL, congresses at all levels mark a fundamental change in organizational model for the new era and promptly translate the Party’s guidelines, resolutions, and State policies and laws into the congress resolutions. The congresses are tasked with reviewing and assessing the implementation of resolutions from the previous term and setting directions for the new term. Congresses are also responsible for amending and supplementing the Charter of the Vietnam Trade Union and electing the new executive committee. The congresses continue to innovate content and format in a practical and efficient manner that prioritizes quality while saving time and resources, fully adhering to the schedule.

Under the plan, trade unions at the commune, ward, and special district levels must hold their congresses and complete them by October 31, 2025. Grassroots trade unions, grassroots labor unions, subordinate grassroots trade unions and departmental unions must hold their congresses and complete them by December 31, 2025. Provincial-level Trade Union congresses will be held after the provincial-level Vietnam Fatherland Front Congresses and must be completed by March 31, 2026. In case of mergers or consolidations at the provincial level, the term order of the post-merger Trade Union organizations will follow the term order of the corresponding Party committees. The official congress duration should not exceed one session  and is encouraged to be linked with 2025 Trade Union activities of the respective units or enterprises.

The VGCL also specified the number of executive committee members, standing committee members, and inspection committee members for Trade Unions at all levels. Accordingly, grassroots Trade Unions must elect a minimum of 3 and a maximum of 25 executive committee members. As for commune, ward, and special district Trade Unions, based on the number of members and grassroots Trade Unions in their areas, the provincial and municipal Labor Confederations will decide on the corresponding number of executive committee members, similar to the grassroots level to ensure that assigned tasks are properly carried out.  

Regarding provincial-level, central-sector and equivalent Trade Unions, those with fewer than 10,000 members, up to 15 executive committee members may be elected. The number of members increases proportionally with the total membership. Units with 500,000 members or more may elect up to 45 executive committee members.

The Provincial-level, central-sector, and equivalent Trade Unions develop their congress organization plans based on the plans and reports of the corresponding Party committees. They also provide guidance to grassroots Trade Unions to hold congresses that are practical, high-quality, and free from extravagance, formality.

By: Nguyen Hoa

Translated by: Thu Hien - Thu Ha