Securing livelihoods and employment for the people

Dong Nai province is home to over 1.3 million workers. In recent times, the entire political system, government authorities at all levels, the Trade Union, and the business community have joined forces to implement numerous activities aimed at supporting and improving the quality of life for workers.

These efforts have created the conditions for workers to feel secure in their jobs, stay focused on production, and actively engage in emulation movements, making important contributions to the province’s socio-economic development.

Nguyen Quoc Dung, Member of the Provincial Party Committee, Vice Chairman of the Vietnam Fatherland Front Committee of Dong Nai province, and Chairman of the Dong Nai Provincial Labor Federation, shares a "Trade Union Meal" with workers in 2025. (Photo: Nguyen Hoa)

Timely and diverse support policies

Dong Nai has developed a reputation for rolling out timely assistance programs for workers, particularly those in industrial zones. The province has consistently ensured social and health insurance coverage for employees, while regular increases to the regional minimum wage have provided meaningful income growth. This stability has enabled many workers to build permanent lives in Dong Nai, purchasing homes and settling down with their families.

Each year, the province’s senior leadership holds dialogues with workers to understand their concerns regarding employment and the implementation of policies. This frontline feedback provides a direct basis for crafting better policies in education, healthcare, social housing, and welfare, which in turn fosters a more advanced, dedicated, and stable workforce in the region.

Support efforts were most evident during the 2020–2021 period, when the COVID-19 pandemic broke out. Dong Nai province implemented a range of timely, targeted policies to support people's livelihoods, including a rental subsidy of 300,000 VND per person for workers. As a result, more than 533,000 workers received assistance to help stabilize their lives.

During the COVID-19 pandemic, the province also distributed over 544 billion VND in aid to nearly 363,000 freelance workers who had lost their jobs.

The province's support continued through subsequent economic challenges. When global economic headwinds impacted local businesses and workers in mid-2023, Dong Nai once again activated a special assistance program. This initiative provided 1.5 million VND per person to workers who were laid off or faced suspended contracts, offering crucial relief that helped them weather the difficult period and maintain their connection to local employers.

Each Lunar New Year, the province sets aside funds for workers who cannot afford to return to their hometowns. Thanks to these gifts, many workers have been able to celebrate a warm Tet in their rental accommodations.

Tran Thi Le Quyen, a wood processing worker at Tam Phuoc Industrial Park, shared that choosing Dong Nai as the location to build her career has provided her with stable employment and a steady income to support her family. During the 2025 Lunar New Year, as a worker living far from home, Quyen received a Tet gift from the province worth 1 million VND. She expressed hope that the province will continue to prioritize the stability of employment, living conditions, and housing for workers in the time ahead.

Alongside financial support policies, Dong Nai has placed particular emphasis on addressing employment for workers. Each year, the Department of Home Affairs coordinates with relevant departments and localities to strengthen job-matching efforts, helping laid-off and unemployed workers secure stable positions at businesses and easing their concerns about job seeking. Additionally, the Dong Nai Employment Service Center hosts monthly job fairs and expands its career counseling services, with a strong focus on helping unemployed workers find new employment opportunities.

The success of these worker support programs has cemented the Trade Union's role as a trusted pillar for the labor force. The Dong Nai Trade Union is confident that, with continued Party leadership, government cooperation, business partnership, and the dedication of its cadres, its support will become increasingly more practical, effective, and sustainable. This endeavor will help build a dedicated and committed workforce that serves the sustainable development goals of Dong Nai province.

Bui Thi Bich Thuy, Standing Vice President of the Dong Nai Provincial Labor Federation

Diverse worker support activities

Fulfilling its role of representing and protecting the rights and interests of both union members and non-unionized workers, the Dong Nai Trade Union at all levels has implemented a range of innovative measures to improve operational effectiveness, becoming a trusted support system for workers across the province. Its most notable achievements lie in comprehensive welfare programs and close coordination with businesses to safeguard jobs and stabilize incomes. These efforts have empowered workers to engage in emulation movements and contribute actively to technical innovations. In 2024 alone, union-led campaigns generated over 281 projects and more than 4,500 technical initiatives from workers, resulting in a value of more than 238 billion VND to local enterprises.

During the 2025 Lunar New Year, Trade Unions at all levels provided support to over 700 union members and workers in difficult circumstances, with a total funding of approximately 450 billion VND, in which the provincial budget contributed 30 billion VND to fund 30,000 Tet gifts for workers facing especially severe hardship. The Trade Union organized various programs, including the "Trade Union Tet Market," "Reunion Tet," family gatherings for workers, and visits to worker boarding houses, where leaders personally delivered gifts from the Party and the State. A highlight of the activities was the organization of "Reunion Train" journeys (Tet train for Trade Union members) and the provision of air tickets to help union members return home to celebrate Tet with their families.

The annual Workers' Month and Action Month on Labor Safety and Hygiene have become peak periods for Trade Unions at all levels to implement grassroots activities. In 2025, these activities gained significant momentum with 802 grassroots Unions organizing Workers' Month launch ceremonies, attracting nearly 290,000 participants. The total implementation cost reached about 79 billion VND. The Provincial Labor Federation presented "Trade Union Shelter" homes, organized sports and cultural activities, and held competitions for outstanding safety officers to foster a spirit of emulation and enhance workers' safety awareness.

At the same time, Trade Unions at all levels have successfully implemented the "Trade Union Meal" program, which addresses the daily living needs of workers. The Provincial Labor Federation has further expanded its care model by organizing collective weddings for workers from difficult circumstances.

According to Bui Thị Bich Thuy, Standing Vice President of the Provincial Labor Federation, these collective weddings not only help members realize their dream of a significant life event but also spread the humanistic values and shared compassion of the Trade Union organization. "This allows workers to feel clearly that the Trade Union always be there for them in both their work and life," she stated.

The Vietnam General Confederation of Labor has recognized the legal advisory program of the Dong Nai Trade Union as a model initiative in raising legal awareness among workers. The Provincial Trade Union Legal Advisory Center has not only intensified its efforts in legal dissemination and consultation but also actively represents and defends the legitimate rights of workers, especially those disadvantaged by gaps in policies and regulations. In the first half of 2025 alone, the center provided legal advice and support to 915 workers. In addition, the mobile legal education model conducted in worker housing areas, led by a core group of workers, has proven to be an effective and innovative initiative by the Trade Union.

At the grassroots level, businesses in Dong Nai have played a crucial role in partnering with workers to improve workplace conditions and foster harmonious, stable, and progressive labor relations. Many companies have implemented meaningful initiatives such as constructing housing, dormitories, and sports complexes, alongside providing annual salary increases and bonuses. These efforts help workers secure stable accommodation and settle down. Furthermore, businesses have collaborated closely with local Trade Unions to develop and expand innovative models to improve workers' quality of life.

Many grassroots Trade Union officers have skillfully negotiated with businesses to secure wages and benefits for workers. Nguyen Thi Mai Chi, Chairwoman of the Trade Union at New Apparel Far Eastern Vietnam Co., Ltd, noted that with over 3,500 employees, the workforce is crucial to the company's development. Through annual tripartite dialogues between worker representatives, management and the trade union, many practical policies, such as up-skilling certification exams and performance-based bonuses, are implemented, which serve to raise real incomes and foster professional growth among employees.

At Changshin Vietnam Co., Ltd., which employs 42,000 workers, the scale of operations necessitates continuous innovation in worker welfare activities. According to Dang Tuan Tu, Chairman of the grassroots trade union at Changshin Vietnam Co., Ltd. (Tan Trieu Ward), in addition to maintaining the tradition of giving gifts during holidays and Tet, the union has launched new initiatives such as organizing trips to workers' hometowns to build "Trade Union Shelter" houses, sending teams to boarding houses to deliver gifts to workers in difficult circumstances, and hosting traditional Tet celebrations for ethnic minority workers.

Thanks to timely and sustained support, union members and workers across the province have strived to improve their skills and actively participate in emulation movements, demonstrating their capabilities and contributing technical innovations in the workplace. Through these campaigns, trade unions at all levels have identified outstanding individuals to recognize, commend, and recommend to the Party as exemplary union members, in recognition of their timely training and consideration for membership.

By Nguyen Hoa – Translated by Thien Kim, Minho