Improving quality of grassroots Trade Union activities

Following the success of Trade Union congresses at all levels for the 2025–2030 term, improving the effectiveness of grassroots Trade Unions has become a key and consistent task for the Trade Union organizations in Dong Nai Province in the current period.

Bui Thi Bich Thuy, Standing Vice Chairwoman of the Dong Nai Provincial Labor Federation, and other Trade Union officials at a meal with workers of Vietnam Dona Standard Footware Co., Ltd. (Xuan Hoa commune).

This is considered a crucial factor in protecting the legitimate rights and interests of trade union members and workers, while also contributing to the development of harmonious, stable, and progressive labor relations within enterprises.

Enhancing workers’ welfare

According to the Dong Nai Provincial Labor Federation, the province currently manages more than 2,300 grassroots Trade Unions with nearly 750,000 members. In recent years, grassroots Trade Unions’ activities have shown positive changes. Many units have proactively innovated their content and operational methods, focusing more on workers and placing them at the center of all activities. Trade Unions have not only fulfilled their representative role but have also actively cooperated with enterprises to improve both the material and spiritual well-being of the Trade Union members and workers. This has been achieved through welfare programs, timely support for those in difficult circumstances, and the organization of cultural and sports activities.

A typical example was that during the 2026 Lunar New Year, many grassroots Trade Unions implemented creative initiatives to support their members and workers. In addition to practical gifts and trips to transport workers home for the holiday, grassroots Trade Unions coordinated with employers to organize year-end Trade Union meals in a warm and meaningful atmosphere. Nearly 73,000 trade union members across the province enjoyed these meals.

Le Minh Tuan, Chairman of the GTU of Lixil Global Manufacturing Vietnam Company Limited, located in Long Duc Industrial Park, Binh An commune, said that in recent times, the grassroots Trade Union has proactively coordinated with the enterprise to organize many welfare programs, timely supporting union members and workers in difficult circumstances, contributing to improving their material and spiritual lives and creating a stronger bond between workers and the enterprise. Among these, the Trade Union Meal is considered a highlight activity in 2025, leaving a distinct mark in caring for trade union members and workers.

"Through this activity, workers not only improve the quality of their meals but also feel warmth and closeness, thereby strengthening their trust and becoming more attached to the trade union organization as well as the enterprise. This is also an opportunity for the grassroots Trade Union to listen to the thoughts and aspirations of workers," said Le Minh Tuan.

With the companionship and close attention of grassroots Trade Unions, regular workplace dialogue in enterprises is increasingly emphasized. Through dialogue sessions, many workers' proposals related to wages, working conditions, and welfare regimes are resolved promptly, helping to prevent potential disputes. Some grassroots Trade Unions have effectively promoted their bridging role, contributing to building a stable working environment and enhancing workers’ trust and long-term engagement with the company.

Nguyen Thi Mong Thuy, Chairwoman of the Trade Union of Caesar Vietnam Sanitary Equipment Joint Stock Company in Nhon Trach commune, said: To maintain stable labor relations in enterprises, the role of the grassroots Trade Unions is particularly important. The trade union is not only a bridge between workers and employers but also actively participates in negotiations and proposes policies and welfare benefits that are more favorable to workers. When receiving trust and support from the enterprise, activities to care for union members and workers are implemented more effectively and practically. In addition, workers are guaranteed salary and bonus regimes according to regulations and work in a stable, safe environment.

With these solutions and innovations, it is expected that grassroots Trade Unions’ activities in Dong Nai will become increasingly effective and practical, contributing to building a stable and high-quality workforce, meeting the socio-economic development requirements of the locality in the new period.

Making Trade Union activities more practical

Besides the achievements, grassroots Trade Unions’ activities still face many difficulties. In some enterprises, especially small and medium-sized enterprises, the organization of trade union activities is still perfunctory and has not attracted the active participation of employees. The capacity and skills of some Trade Union officials are still limited, not meeting the requirements in the new situation. Grasping the thoughts and aspirations of employees is sometimes not timely, leading to low representation effectiveness.

The Resolution of the Dong Nai Provincial Trade Union Congress for the 2025-2030 term sets out 13 groups of targets, 3 breakthroughs, and 7 groups of tasks and solutions. Among them, the 3 key breakthroughs are building a contingent of Trade Union officials with sufficient qualities, capacity, and prestige; focusing on performing the task of representing and protecting the legitimate rights and interests of union members and employees, promoting dialogue, negotiation, and signing collective labor agreements; strongly applying digital transformation in trade union activities from the provincial to the grassroots level.

According to Provincial Party Committee member, Vice Chairman of the Vietnam Fatherland Front Committee of the province, and Chairman of the Provincial Labor Federation Nguyen Quoc Dung, improving the quality of grassroots Trade Union activities will be synchronously implemented by the Trade Union organization with many solutions in the 2025-2030 term. This includes strengthening training and fostering skills for Trade Union officials, especially dialogue, negotiation, and labor dispute resolution skills. At the same time, it is necessary to continue promoting the application of information technology in member management, propaganda, and connecting employees.

In addition, Trade Unions at all levels need to continue to innovate the content and methods of operation in a practical way, close to the actual needs of employees. The development and implementation of collective labor agreements with many more favorable terms for employees also need to be paid attention to, thereby enhancing the representative role of the Trade Union organization in enterprises.

By Thao My – Translated by Mai Nga, Thu Ha