Affirming position and role of Trade Union organization

In the 2023-2025 period, the activities of the Dong Nai Provincial Trade Union have been innovative and creative, leaving an important mark; affirming its position and role with union members, workers, civil servants, and laborers throughout the province.

Many practical activities of the organization are strongly oriented towards the grassroots with union members placed at the center. These efforts have created a strong spread, creating motivation to encourage laborers to successfully complete their tasks, contributing significantly to the socio-economic development of the province.

RELIABLE SUPPORT FOR LABORERS

One of the highlights is the Trade Union’s role in representing and protecting the legitimate rights and interests of laborers. By joining forces with provincial functional agencies in supervising the implementation of policies and laws on labor, wages, social insurance, and occupational safety and hygiene, the Trade Union contributes to ensuring that the rights of laborers are fully implemented. Dialogue, negotiation, and the signing of collective labor agreements are increasingly emphasized, thereby enhancing the voice and position of laborers in enterprises.

Vice Chairman of the Vietnam General Confederation of Labor Phan Van Anh (second from right) and Provincial Party Committee member, Vice Chairman of the Vietnam Fatherland Front Committee of the province, Chairman of the Dong Nai Provincial Federation of Labor Nguyen Quoc Dung (far right) exchange professional knowledge with grassroots Trade Union officials.

In addition to its representative and protective functions, the Trade Union also plays an important role in caring for the material and spiritual lives of union members and laborers. Welfare programs, support for difficult circumstances, health care, housing, as well as cultural and sports activities have helped laborers feel secure in their work, and engage in long-term commitment with enterprises and the Trade Union organization. Over the past 3 years, nearly 1.2 million union members and laborers in difficult circumstances, with serious illnesses, or occupational accidents have received visits and support. Especially during each Tet holiday, more than 600,000 workers are cared for through the “Lunar New Year holiday reunion” Program.

In the 2023-2025 period, in the context of global economic recession, fluctuating orders, many enterprises had to scale down production and cut working hours. Consequently, the income of many workers was affected. It is during this difficult period that the role of the Trade Union organization is clearly demonstrated in accompanying laborers to overcome difficulties, stabilize jobs and income. The Trade Union makes an important contribution to stabilizing labor relations, maintaining security and order, and building strong trust with laborers.

Worker Nguyen Thi Thu, at Longwell Co., Ltd. (Dau Giay commune, Dong Nai province) said: Thanks to the care and sharing of the provincial Trade Union organization, in 2024, her family received support to build a solid home to settle down and work with peace of mind. "If it weren't for the support from the Trade Union, perhaps my family would still be living in a dilapidated house. I and many union members thank the Trade Union organization for always being a strong bridge, a belief, and a reliable support for workers to turn to in the most difficult times," Thu confided.

The Dong Nai Trade Union also serves as a bridge between laborers and the Party, the State, and employers. Through propaganda and education, the Trade Union contributes to raising political awareness, consciousness of abiding by laws, labor discipline, and industrial working style for workers. This is an important factor in building a team of skilled, qualified, and responsible laborers, meeting the development requirements in the new period.

INNOVATING ACTIVITIES IN THE NEW SITUATION

Dong Nai is an industrial province, with a workforce of nearly 1.4 million laborers. The province is implementing many key national projects, typically the Long Thanh International Airport Project, strategic infrastructure that will attract large-scale labor in the future. Along with that is the expansion of investment by FDI enterprises, creating more jobs for laborers. It is forecast that by 2030, the province will need 2.6 million laborers. This is also an opportunity for the Dong Nai Trade Union to attract laborers to join the Trade Union and develop the organization in enterprises.

However, to promote the achieved results, the role of the Trade Union needs to be innovated more strongly in the next term because the lives of workers still face many challenges. Specifically, there is a great demand for housing, schools, and cultural institutions; income and employment are affected by order fluctuations; the working environment in some places still poses potential risks to safety and occupational health. This context requires Trade Union levels to affirm their position and role, enhancing their capacity to represent, care for, and protect the legitimate rights of employees.

In the 2025-2030 term, the Dong Nai Provincial Trade Union, from the provincial to the grassroots level, needs to comprehensively innovate its operating methods towards practicality, professionalism, modernity, and based on the actual needs of workers. A modern, united, dedicated, and responsible Trade Union organization will be a solid support for employees and an important driving force contributing to building a strong and prosperous Dong Nai in the new development phase.

Comrade TON NGOC HANH, Alternate Member of the Party Central Committee, Standing Deputy Secretary of the Provincial Party Committee, Chairwoman of the Provincial People's Council

The 1st Provincial Trade Union Congress, term 2025-2030, not only holds organizational significance after the merger but also sets clear requirements for innovating Trade Union thinking and operating methods in the new period. The Trade Union must pay more heed to each boarding house, each mid-shift meal, and specific working conditions to understand the workers' daily lives, especially migrant workers, in order to implement care models that are more focused, effective, and substantive.

Nguyen Quoc Dung, Provincial Party Committee Member, Vice Chairman of the Vietnam Fatherland Front Committee of the province, Chairman of the Dong Nai Provincial Federation of Labor, stated: In the 2025-2030 term, the Dong Nai Trade Union will focus on 5 key areas. These include continuing to innovate the content and operating methods towards practicality, effectiveness, and alignment with the needs of employees. Applying digital transformation in propaganda work and Trade Union activities; mobilizing the workforce to emulate in labor and production, promoting skills and capabilities in each task.

Along with that is focusing on training, fostering, and building a team of Trade Union officials, especially grassroots Trade Union officials who are dedicated, brave, skilled, and capable of meeting practical requirements; creating unity and the combined strength of the Trade Union system from the provincial to the grassroots level to better care for and protect union members and employees; thereby, contributing to building a strong working class and promoting the socio-economic development of the province.

Thai Chan, Standing Vice Chairwoman of the Vietnam Fatherland Front Committee of the commune, Chairwoman of the Nhon Trach Commune Trade Union:

Igniting the spirit of solidarity and innovation for union members and workers

The 1st Dong Nai Provincial Trade Union Congress, 2025-2030 term, is an important political-social event for the working class and the Trade Union organization, marking a new journey. I believe the congress will ignite the spirit of solidarity, innovation, for union members and workers, build a strong Trade Union organization, and make practical contributions to the sustainable development of the province.

Nguyen Thi Mai Chi, Chairwoman of the Trade Union of New Apparel Far Eastern Vietnam Co., Ltd. (Bac Dong Phu Industrial Park, Dong Nai Province):

Building an intelligent and enthusiastic pool of Trade Union officials

In the context of many innovations after the merger, I hope and expect that in the next term, the Dong Nai Provincial Trade Union will continue to affirm its representative role, providing practical care for employees, especially regarding housing, kindergartens, wages, welfare, cultural institutions, etc. In addition, there’s a need to focus on building an intelligent, enthusiastic, brave, grassroots-oriented, and effective pool of Trade Union officials to meet the requirements of the new period.

Nguyen Thi Thanh Tin, Chairwoman of the Trade Union of Chien Vietnam Wood Manufacturing Co., Ltd. (Tam Phuoc Ward, Dong Nai Province):

Paying more attention to the lives and working conditions of workers

As a delegate attending the Dong Nai Provincial Trade Union Congress for the 2025-2030 term, I expect that all levels of the Trade Union will continue to innovate strongly, coordinate with functional agencies and the business community to pay attention to the working environment, actual lives, and aspirations of union members. In addition, I hope to have more innovative programs in caring for and supporting employees to study, improve their professional qualifications, skills, and legal knowledge to work effectively.

By Nguyen Hoa-Translated by Mai Nga, Thu Ha