Advancing comprehensive care for grassroots workers

The annual Workers’ Month is not only an occasion to honor workers but also a time for the trade union to reaffirm its role in accompanying, caring for, sharing with, and safeguarding the legitimate rights and interests of union members and workers.

Bui Thi Bich Thuy, Vice Chairwoman of the Provincial Federation of Labor.

Speaking to Dong Nai Newspaper and Radio, Television, Bui Thi Bich Thuy, Vice Chairwoman of the provincial Federation of Labor said that with the theme “Vietnamese Workers – Innovation, Creativity, and Productivity Enhancement,” Workers’ Month 2026 will see trade union bodies across Dong Nai stepping up a wide range of activities aimed at providing comprehensive care for workers, from welfare and social security to improving their spiritual well-being. With a focus on practical and effective action, this year’s Workers’ Month is expected to leave a clear imprint at every grassroots level.

Practical care for union members’ lives

For Workers’ Month 2026, what concrete activities has the provincial Federation of Labor prepared to enhance the well-being of union members and workers?

During Workers’ Month 2026, the provincial Federation of Labor has identified a consistent guiding principle: focusing strongly on the grassroots level, with workers placed at the center. In that spirit, trade union bodies at all levels are implementing a series of coordinated, practical activities to ensure comprehensive care for both the material and spiritual lives of union members and workers.

Notably, delegations will be organized to visit, encourage, present gifts, and provide timely support to union members and workers facing difficulties, those affected by occupational accidents, or those suffering from occupational diseases or serious illnesses. At the same time, cultural, artistic, and sports activities are being promoted to enhance spiritual life and foster a vibrant atmosphere of emulation among union members and workers.

The provincial Federation of Labor is coordinating with the Department of Home Affairs to organize the launching ceremony for the Action Month on Occupational Safety and Health alongside Workers’ Month in late April 2026. In parallel, cooperation with enterprises is being strengthened to improve working conditions and welfare. Priority is given to upgrading the quality of shift meals and supplementing nutrition for workers engaged in overtime or working in heavy, hazardous environments. Regular health check-ups and specialized examinations for female workers and specific labor groups are also emphasized, contributing to long-term health protection and care.

What are the highlights of this year’s Workers’ Month? How are grassroots activities organized to ensure effectiveness and meet workers’ actual needs?

This year, the provincial Federation of Labor is rolling out a variety of diverse and practical programs, including the Workers’ Family Festival, the Workers’ Cultural Festival, and counseling on health, psychological well-being, and reproductive health. In addition, trade union welfare booths and promotional sales programs offering discounts are being organized directly at enterprises and workers’ boarding houses, enabling workers to access essential goods and services at affordable prices.

A key highlight of this year’s Workers’ Month is its alignment with the 140th anniversary of International Workers’ Day (May 1), as well as the continued promotion of the theme "Vietnamese Workers: Innovation and Improving Labor Productivity." Beyond traditional welfare activities, the program places strong emphasis on encouraging initiatives, technical improvements, and digital transformation within the workforce, thereby reinforcing workers’ central role in enterprise development.

At the grassroots level, the provincial Federation of Labor directs trade unions to tailor their activities to the actual conditions of each enterprise, proactively coordinating with employers to organize suitable and effective programs. The target is for at least 70% of grassroots trade unions in enterprises with 300 or more workers to organize at least one activity in response to Workers’ Month, ensuring both wide outreach and substantive impact.

Accompanying workers in their livelihoods and employment

In the current context, what key measures is the trade union implementing to strengthen its role in representing and protecting workers’ legitimate rights and interests?

Amid ongoing challenges in production and business activities, the trade union has identified its core mission as representing, caring for, and protecting workers' lawful and legitimate rights. One of the central solutions is the organization of the "May Dialogue" Program. This initiative provides an opportunity to listen to workers’ concerns and aspirations, while promptly identifying difficulties related to employment, wages, working conditions, housing, and social security. On that basis, the provincial Federation of Labor can coordinate with relevant departments, sectors, and enterprises to address these issues, while also proposing improvements to policies and mechanisms concerning workers.

The trade union continues to enhance the quality of workplace dialogue and collective bargaining, viewing these as key instruments for building harmonious, stable, and progressive labor relations. This approach helps capture workers’ concerns promptly and effectively resolve emerging issues at the grassroots level. At the same time, efforts are being intensified to recognize exemplary grassroots trade union leaders in dialogue and collective bargaining, thereby promoting effective models and practices and strengthening trade unions' positions within enterprises.

At the same time, coordination with enterprises is being strengthened to improve workers' living conditions, including upgrading the quality of shift meals, organizing health check-ups, supporting cases of unexpected hardship, building safe working environments, and launching initiatives for technical innovation. When workers are guaranteed their rights and benefits, and enterprises improve productivity and production efficiency, the interests of both sides will be harmonized and sustainable.

A cultural performance by workers at the Workers’ Month launching ceremony of the Trade Union of Pou Sung Vietnam Co., Ltd. in 2025. Photo: Nguyen Hoa

What are the future orientations of the trade union to stabilize employment and ensure sustainable livelihoods for workers?

In the coming period, the Dong Nai Trade Union will continue to innovate both the content and methods of its activities in a more practical, effective manner, closely aligned with grassroots realities and workers’ needs. Priority will be given to improving material well-being through expanded welfare programs, housing support, healthcare services, improved shift meals, assistance for workers in difficulty, and expanded access to preferential services.

At the same time, efforts will be made to enhance spiritual life by developing cultural and sports facilities, organizing cultural and artistic events, workers’ festivals, and activities for workers’ children, helping workers feel secure in maintaining long-term employment with enterprises. Vocational training, digital skills development, and innovation movements will also be promoted to help workers improve their vocational skills, increase income, and adapt to digital transformation and modern industrial development.

The trade union will continue to affirm its role as a bridge connecting workers, enterprises, and authorities, contributing to the building of harmonious, stable, and progressive labor relations. This undertaking, in turn, helps improve both the quality of life and the social standing of the workforce in the new stage of development. Beyond providing care, this also reaffirms the trade union’s role as a companion and representative of workers in the evolving context.

 By Nguyen Hoa – Translated by Minh Hong, Minho