Accompanying with particularly disadvantaged people
Participating in the 130th Anniversary Program of President Ho Chi Minh's Birthday (May 19, 1890 - May 19, 2020) and the Workers' Month 2020 organized by the Provincial Confederation of Labour, 94 workers labor have their own conditions but the same thing in common is that they are facing life events such as serious illness, labor accident, and risk accident, etc. Apart from their family and relatives, the Trade Union becomes a strong support for workers to confidently overcome difficulties.
Holding a gift of VND 10 million from the "Fund to support the particularly disadvantaged workers in Binh Duong province", Mrs. Bui Thi Thu Lai - a Nitto Denko Vietnam's worker felt comforting. Her tears were about to fall mentioning her family situation as it evoked her emotion. Mrs. Lai had a serious disease, after treatment, she and her husband still owed some money; meanwhile, her two children are too young, so life is more and more difficult. The Company's Trade Union supported a part of the cost of medical treatment as well as creating conditions for her to return to work in a condition suitable for her health. "I have too much pressure to bear, but because of my two children and family, I have to try to overcome the difficulties". In difficult times, I have received support and encouragement from levels of the Trade Union to make my life less burdened and more powerful to overcome the difficulties", said she.
The provincial leaders and the provincial Confederation of Labour present gifts to workers in particularly difficult circumstances
In addition to 94 gifts directly given to workers, the Provincial Confederation of Labour also gave 28 gift previously, 124 cases of particularly difficult circumstances have been supported so far with a total amount of 912 million VND from "The Fund to support the disadvantaged workers in Binh Duong province". It can be seen that the Fund established creates excitement for workers and employees. This is not only a material support but also a spiritual value for workers and employees to realize that they are not alone in the struggle to overcome harsh living conditions. Behind each person is always the companion and support of levels of the Trade Union and social community.
"The Fund to support the disadvantaged workers in Binh Duong province" was signed by the Provincial People's Committee and was put into operation in January 2020. In addition to the initial support from the Trade Union finances of VND 5 billion, the Fund also received local support of VND 2 million/ case and the contributions and donations of organizations and individuals inside and outside the province. Up to now, the Fund has received nearly VND 1 billion. To continue to maintain the Fund, the Provincial Confederation of Labour mobilizes businesses, organizations, individuals, officials, trade union members, and workers to join hands for support from only VND 1,000/ month/ person.
Officials and union members at levels of the Trade Union support "The Fund to support the particularly disadvantaged workers in Binh Duong province"
Ms. Tran Thi Bich Hanh - Chairwoman of the Provincial Confederation of Labour said: "The fund to support the particularly disadvantaged workers in Binh Duong province was established to relieve the difficulties of workers, helping them get more energy, trust and conditions to overcome difficulties in life. The Provincial Confederation of Labour has mobilized their cadres, union members, workers and employees to contribute to building the Fund depending on their conditions so that more and more disadvantaged workers will be supported".
Attempts to bring workers closer to the Trade union
Always paying special attention to the lives of workers and employees in the province, Secretary of the Provincial Party Committee Tran Van Nam has made thorough instructions to industries and levels to focus resources to take care of workers and employees, particularly the ones who stay away from home, considering this is one of the key tasks in the province's annual activities. Speaking at the meeting with the Vietnam General Confederation of Labor, the Provincial Party Secretary emphasized: "Any employee who works in Binh Duong is considered as Binh Duong people, the province always cares for them with all affection and responsibility".
The provincial leaders present gifts and encourage workers in particularly difficult circumstances
Reviewing the care activities for workers at the Workers' Month Program in 2020, Vice Chairman of the provincial People's Committee Dang Minh Hung said: "The provincial leaders are always working hard to implement policies on social security in order to improve the living standards of the people, including the labor force. Binh Duong province always pays special attention to policies for employees, especially on income, employment, housing, nursery, cultural and entertainment centers, etc. Especially, the Trade Union has practical activities to promptly take care of their union members and workers. protecting legitimate rights and interests of laborers, taking care of material and spiritual life for workers in difficult circumstances, being far away from home or having labor accidents through specific activities in the month workers, care for Tet for workers, and Tet gathering, etc.".
Chairwoman of the Provincial Confederation of Labour Truong Thi Bich Hanh presents gifts to the employees of Esquel Garment Manufacturing (Vietnam) Co. Ltd
The Covid-19 pandemic has had a negative impact on almost all areas of life, production of enterprises, life, income and employment of workers. In order to promptly encourage and support union members and labor workers affected by the Covid-19 pandemic due to no orders, lack of materials, reduced working shifts and hours, terminating or suspending labor contracts, the Provincial Confederation of Labour has directed the Confederation of Labour in districts, towns, cities, and trade unions to deduct some amount from the Trade Union budget to pay visits and allowances for their Trade Union members from 500,000 to 1 million VND/ each case. At the same time, they have also directed the Confederation of Labour of districts and towns to coordinate with local departments, branches and mass organizations to encourage about 1,170 areas of inns and lodging houses to provide exemption and reduction of rent, and other forms of support for workers. The total amount of exemption and reduction of rent reaches nearly VND 5.2 billion.
Ms. Truong Thi Bich Hanh (second from the right) - Chairwoman of the Provincial Confederation of Labour of Binh Duong province and grassroots trade unions' officials come to each lodging area to motivate landlords to offer reduction of rent to laborers and encourage laborers
All levels of Trade unions have accompanied workers and employees with practical actions such as spending some amount of the fund for support and motivating business owners to assist their workers and employees with money, rice, and masks; motivating landlords for rent exemption and reduction to workers, etc. According to statistics, there have been over 300,000 union members to receive support through many forms.
In addition, in order for the Trade Union members and employees to reduce their daily consumption expenses, Trade Union levels have contacted businesses with sales discounts or original prices for Trade Union members, particularly Kim Sang Rice Company, which has been with the local trade unions for the past 3 years.
Chairwoman of the Provincial Confederation of Labour Truong Thi Bich Hanh visits and encourages workers
Along with that, in order to enhance two-way communication, the Provincial Confederation of Labour regularly organizes monthly and weekly online meetings with the grassroots trade unions with a large number of trade union members. As a result, the Standing Committee of the Provincial Confederation of Labour has timely provided instructions in the prevention and control of the Covid-19 pandemic.
In order to build a strong Trade Union, Trade Union levels also promote the union members' development phases (on May 1 and May 19); improve the quality and performance of grassroots trade unions, promote and develop trade union members, establish non-state grassroots trade unions; elect typical grassroots trade union, and introduce outstanding labor workers and trade union members to the Party for admission, etc.
At the meeting with the Provincial Confederation of Labour, Mr. Ngo Duy Hieu – Vice Chairman of the Vietnam General Confederation of Labor highly appreciated the sense of responsibility, dynamism and creativity in the management of the Provincial Confederation of Labour and the Trade Union levels: "It can be said that the Provincial Confederation of Labour has well performed its role of protecting the lawful and legitimate rights and interests of workers, taking care of workers' lives through many effective forms, especially accompanying with laborers in the midst of the Covid-19 pandemic. Although the province has a large number of laborers, the Provincial Confederation of Labour has been very flexible in resolving problems arising, well implementing labor relations and making persistent efforts in the establishment of the grassroots trade unions and development of union members under the serious impact of the Covid-19 pandemic".
With the close direction of the Provincial Party Committee and Provincial People's Committee, the active and synchronized engagement of the whole Trade Union system with effective and practical forms, the role of the Trade Union is increasingly affirmed; the trust of workers towards the Trade Union is increasingly enhanced.