(VOVWORLD) - The Vietnam General Confederation of Labor recently celebrated its 95th anniversary on July 28. For 95 years, the Confederation has tirelessly fought for the rights of the working class, which, alongside trade unions, has been at the forefront of national industrialization and modernization.
Trade unions at all levels have worked diligently to protect workers' rights. They have launched patriotic emulation movements and played a pivotal role in building the Party and political system, thereby strengthening the Vietnamese working class.
Meaningful contributions
The Vietnam General Confederation of Labor has developed numerous initiatives to enhance the material and emotional well-being of union members and workers. These initiatives include "Tet Reunion," "Workers' Month," "Trade Union Tet Market," the "Trade Union Shelter" program, and the "Trade Union Tet Journey" program. Support has also been provided to union members and workers in difficult circumstances, including those affected by the COVID-19 pandemic and subsequent economic disruption.
During the most recent Lunar New Year (Tet), 10.5 million union members and workers benefited from Tet care activities organized by trade unions, with a total expenditure of 300 million USD, up 28% in the number of beneficiaries and up 15% in funding. The “Trade Union Tet Market” program, conducted on an e-commerce platform for the first time on a national scale, supported 66,000 union members and workers with 850,000 USD. The "2024 Spring Trade Union Tet Journey" program provided train, plane, and bus tickets for hundreds of thousands of union members and workers.
This year marks the 10th anniversary of the "Tet Reunion" program. Over the past decade, 170,000 programs have been implemented, attracting 29 million union members and workers, with a total expenditure of 700 million USD. This year alone, trade unions organized 18,000 "Tet Reunion - Spring Sharing" programs for 4 million union members and workers, with 2.1 million receiving gifts.
The workers said:
"Trade union activities are increasingly oriented towards workers' well-being, focused on care during illness and personal milestones. Recreational activities have also been organized to ensure workers have time to recuperate."
"Trade Union activities are exciting. During holidays and New Year, performances and sports competitions are arranged. At the end of the year, trade unions provide transportation for workers to return home, ensuring that those who live far away can spend the holiday with their families. The union's concern is a morale booster for workers."
Shaping policies for workers
To effectively protect the legal rights of union members and workers, the Vietnam General Confederation of Labor has been involved in developing related policies and laws, including amendments to the Law on Social Insurance, the Land Law, and the Employment Law. They have also contributed to salary policy reforms for various sectors and the Decree on social housing under the 2023 Housing Law.
The Standing Committee of the General Confederation passed a resolution that focuses on the welfare of union members and workers in the new context.
National Assembly Chairman Tran Thanh Man spoke at the 95th anniversary of the General Confederation: "With greater efforts in the 2023-2028 period, trade unions and the Vietnamese workers' movement will achieve new milestones, contributing significantly to national renewal, industrialization, and modernization. This will help realize the historic mission of the working class – building a prosperous, democratic, equitable, and civilized Vietnam."
Over the past 95 years, the Vietnam General Confederation of Labor has firmly established itself as an organization dedicated to promoting the rights of the working class.