Warm Tet with the union roof
Ms. Ngo Nguyen Hong Tham, a member of the Trade Union of Duc Tan Kindergarten (Mo Duc District, Quang Ngai) and her two children this year celebrated their first Tet in a new 100m2 house, with all the new rooms. This house is Ms. Tham's 10-year dream. As a single mother with a low-income job, Ms. Tham knew that her house was dilapidated and that she had to worry about rain or sun, but she still could not find the funds to build a house.
Understanding Ms. Tham's situation and wishes, the Quang Ngai Provincial Federation of Labor supported her with initial funding to build a Trade Union Shelter (MACD).
“With this house, my family and I no longer have to worry about the heat and rain. We can live in peace, especially during this Tet holiday, when the whole family will gather in a cozy house. Without the care and support of the union, I don’t know when my family will be able to own a new house like this,” Ms. Tham shared.
“There will be no more Tet holidays when we have to worry about our houses collapsing” - shared very sincerely by Mr. Cao Van My - a worker at Dai Hung Wood Chip Company (Khanh Vinh district, Khanh Hoa). Mr. My and his wife got married when they were young, and their parents built a temporary house from simple acacia trees. Working on the farm and as a laborer, the income is not high but Mr. My always longs to have a solidly built house.
Knowing the desire of Mr. Cao Van My and his wife, the Trade Union and the leaders of Khanh Vinh District Labor Federation proposed that the Provincial Labor Federation support Mr. My with funds from the MACD program. And the initial 60 million VND that the union supported was a solid foundation for Mr. My to borrow more to build a level 4 house made of concrete and ceramic tiles, with a budget of over 100 million VND.
"This Tet holiday, I plan to celebrate it bigger and happier, with a warmer and happier family with a new, clean and sturdy house for the children" - Mr. Cao Van My emotionally shared.
In Da Nang, at the end of the year, the City Labor Federation held an inauguration ceremony and handed over funding to support the construction of MACD houses to 5 union members with difficult housing circumstances in Hai Chau district. The 5 union members receiving support this time are all in particularly difficult circumstances. Each union member was supported with 50 million VND as initial funding, along with the union member's own funding to realize the union member's and his/her family's desire to have a house.
Unions help dreams come true, spreading sustainable living
According to statistics from the Labor Federation of 6 provinces in the South Central region, in 2024, the provinces supported the construction of MACD houses with a total value of more than 10 billion VND, of which, union members were supported to build 167 new houses and repair 58 houses.
This program has profound humanitarian significance, promotes the spirit of solidarity, mutual love, practically solves housing difficulties, helps union members and workers feel excited and secure in their work. In particular, localities that have implemented the program well include Khanh Hoa Provincial Federation of Labor, Quang Ngai Provincial Federation of Labor...
Mr. Vu Hoai Phuong - Vice Chairman of the Quang Ngai Provincial Federation of Labor - said that in 2024, the Quang Ngai Provincial Federation of Labor spent 1.5 billion VND to support the construction of houses for 30 union members in difficult circumstances. Grassroots unions also proactively mobilized and contributed more resources to support the construction of more houses for other union members in difficult circumstances.
Mr. Phuong said: “There are still many union members and workers in difficult housing situations who need support and cooperation from the community. We hope that in the coming time, we will continue to receive support from cadres, civil servants, employees, businesses, organizations, individuals and philanthropists so that the MACD program can help more union members in difficult circumstances, adding faith and hope for good things in life.”
