Elevating Trade Union roles in Dong Nai’s urban development

Amid the strong momentum of industrialization and modernization, Dong Nai is steadily transforming as a dynamic, civilized, and modern metropolis in the Southeast region. The development of industrial parks and the presence of thousands of enterprises, together with a large workforce, have generated a strong driving force for the city.

Nguyen Quoc Dung, Member of the Dong Nai City Party Committee, Vice Chairman of the City Vietnam Fatherland Front Committee, and Chairman of the City Federation of Labor, presents shopping vouchers to disadvantaged workers.

Amid this development momentum, the Trade Union organization serves not only as a reliable support for employees but also as an important bridge contributing to the building of a harmonious, stable, and progressive labor environment in the modern urban area.

Accompanying the workforce

Dong Nai currently has nearly 1.5 million employees working in industrial parks and export processing zones. Most of them are young and migrant employees from provinces and cities nationwide. This situation places growing demands on Trade Union organizations to care for the material and spiritual well-being of union members and employees, while safeguarding their legitimate rights and interests.

Over the years, Trade Union organizations at all levels in Dong Nai have introduced many innovations in their activities, focusing strongly on the grassroots level and placing employees at the center of all initiatives. Programs such as “Tet Reunion,” “Trade Union Shelter,” support for disadvantaged workers, legal consultation, free health check-ups, and care for employees’ children have not only provided practical material assistance but also spread a profound spirit of humanity. Through these efforts, the Trade Union has increasingly affirmed its role as a reliable support for workers amid the rapid pace of urbanization.

In addition to social welfare activities, the Trade Union actively contributes to the building of harmonious labor relations within enterprises. Many grassroots Trade Union organizations have proactively conducted regular dialogues with employers and negotiated improvements in wages, bonuses, shift meals, and working conditions for employees. This has become an important factor in minimizing labor disputes and maintaining a stable investment environment for the city.

The Dong Nai Trade Union has also actively promoted emulation movements in creative labor, technical innovation, and productivity improvement. Numerous initiatives put forward by workers have generated substantial economic value for enterprises while contributing to the development of a high-quality workforce, an important foundation for the growth of a smart city and modern industry.

Innovating operations to adapt to new trends

In the urbanization process, one of the major challenges is building a harmonious and civilized living environment for migrant employees. This is also an area in which the Trade Union must continue to affirm its pioneering role. Coordinating the development of social housing, cultural facilities, and recreational facilities for workers, while promoting a civilized urban lifestyle and raising awareness of environmental protection, will contribute to building a modern, humane and sustainable community.

Le Van Sy, a worker at Bien Hoa 2 Industrial Park, said that on the evening of May 18, he watched the live broadcast of the ceremony announcing the National Assembly’s Resolution on the establishment of Dong Nai City with great pride and high expectations. According to him, this is not only an important milestone for the locality but also opens up many development opportunities for employees living and working in this dynamic and potential-rich land.

Today, the role of the Trade Union extends beyond the scope of enterprises and is closely associated with the goal of building a civilized, modern, and sustainably developed city. When employees’ livelihoods are ensured and they are provided with stable working conditions and adequate care, they will have greater confidence in maintaining long-term commitments to enterprises and the locality.

“I am very happy and proud that Dong Nai is entering a new stage of development. As a worker, I hope that in the coming period, the city will pay greater attention to the lives of workers, particularly in terms of housing, schools for workers’ children, cultural facilities, and a safe and civilized living environment. I also hope that the Trade Union organization will continue to uphold its role as a strong pillar of support, accompanying and protecting the rights and interests of employees so that they can feel secure in working here for the long term,” Sy said.

According to grassroots Trade Union officials, in order to further enhance the role of the Trade Union in Dong Nai’s urban development and meet the requirements of digital transformation and international integration, the Trade Union organization must continue to innovate its operational methods. The Trade Union serves not only as a companion to employees but also as a bridge connecting the government, enterprises, and the people. In addition, Trade Union officials need to strengthen their political steadfastness, professional capacity, industrial working style, and legal knowledge.

Pham Trung Thuyen, Chairman of the grassroots Trade Union at Vedan Viet Nam Enterprise Corp., Ltd. in Long Thanh ward, said that with Dong Nai becoming a city, the Trade Union needs to continue affirming its core role in accompanying the locality’s development, while providing better care for employees’ livelihoods, employment, and social welfare.

“To meet the requirements of the new development stage, the contingent of Trade Union officials must continuously improve their professional qualifications, operational skills, foreign language proficiency, and capacity to apply digital technology. This will enable them to serve as an effective bridge between enterprises and employees, contributing to the building of an increasingly modern, civilized, and developed Dong Nai,” Thuyen emphasized.

The Resolution of the Dong Nai City Trade Union Congress for the 2025–2030 term sets forth 13 groups of targets, three key breakthroughs, and seven groups of tasks and solutions. The three key breakthroughs include building a contingent of Trade Union officials with sufficient qualities, capacity, and prestige; focusing on the representation and protection of the legitimate and lawful rights and interests of union members and employees through strengthened dialogue, negotiation, and the signing of collective labor agreements; and accelerating the application of digital transformation in Trade Union activities from the city down to the grassroots level. The development of a “Digital Trade Union” is expected to enhance the timeliness, effectiveness, and suitability of worker care in line with the demands of modern life.

In the coming period, as Dong Nai continues to expand its urban space, develop transport infrastructure, and attract high-tech investment, the Trade Union organization must further promote its pioneering role in caring for and developing human resources. This is not only an immediate responsibility but also an important foundation for building a modern, humane, and sustainably developed industrial city. By truly serving as a reliable anchor for employees, the Trade Union will continue to affirm its important role in the process of building Dong Nai into a modern, livable, and highly humane industrial city.

Nguyen Quoc Dung, Member of the City Party Committee, Vice Chairman of the Vietnam Fatherland Front Committee of the city, and Chairman of the Dong Nai City Federation of Labor, stated that the Executive Committee of the City Federation of Labor for the 2025–2030 term will continue to strongly innovate the content and methods of operation while building a strong Trade Union organization. Through these efforts, it aims to successfully fulfill the goals and tasks set forth by the Trade Union Congress, contributing to the development of an increasingly strong working class and Trade Union organization, as well as a prosperous, civilized, and modern Dong Nai.

By Nguyen Hoa – Translated by Minh Hong, Thu Ha