Not only representing and protecting workers' rights in dialogues or negotiations with businesses, for many years, Mr. Pham Gia Dai - Chairman of the grassroots Trade Union of TKG Taekwang Moc Bai Joint Stock Company (Tay Ninh) has also persistently built sports activities, creating a healthy playground to help nearly 7,000 union members unite after working hours on the production line.
Football field after work
In the late afternoon, when the final whistle of the working shift rang at TKG Taekwang Moc Bai Joint Stock Company, instead of rushing back to the dormitory area, many workers gathered at the football field, volleyball court or sports training area of the enterprise.
That exciting atmosphere has become a familiar image for many years. Behind the friendly matches and internal sports tournaments is the persistence of the trade union organization in maintaining a playground for workers.
As Chairman of the grassroots Trade Union with nearly 7,000 union members, Mr. Pham Gia Dai said that besides the task of representing and protecting the legitimate rights and interests of workers, the trade union always determines that caring for spiritual life is equally important.
Every year, the trade union coordinates with businesses to organize football, volleyball, badminton, cross-country running, folk games and cultural activities on holidays, Tet, Workers' Month or the anniversary of the founding of the Vietnam Trade Union. The goal is to give workers more opportunities to exercise, relax and connect with each other," Mr. Dai shared.
Retaining workers with practical activities
According to Mr. Pham Gia Dai, maintaining the movement is not simply organizing a few tournaments each year.
To ensure that workers participate fully, the Executive Committee of the grassroots Trade Union must proactively develop plans early, coordinate with businesses to arrange time suitable to the production schedule, and at the same time mobilize union members to actively respond.
From the initial activities, the physical education and sports movement is increasingly spreading. Many workers who used to just go to work and then return to their rented rooms have now become regular members of football teams, volleyball teams or badminton clubs.
According to Mr. Dai, when health is improved, the spirit of workers is also more positive. More importantly, collective activities help bridge the gap between departments, increase the bond between workers and businesses and trade union organizations.
In addition to internal tournaments, grassroots trade unions also actively bring teams to participate in sports festivals organized by the Provincial Labor Federation, creating conditions for union members to exchange and learn from workers in many other businesses.
The "firekeeper" of the movement
According to Mr. Pham Gia Dai, what makes him happiest is not the medals after each tournament but the fact that more and more workers actively register to participate in activities organized by the trade union.
The trade union organization does not only appear when workers encounter difficulties or disputes. We want the trade union to always accompany them in their daily lives, from caring for their rights to taking care of the health and spiritual life of union members," he said.
Reality shows that after-work playgrounds not only help workers relieve pressure but also contribute to building a united and civilized working environment. This is also one of the factors that helps increase the attachment of workers to businesses.
In the context of increasing production pressure, the fact that a trade union official has persistently maintained sports activities for thousands of union members for many years not only shows a sense of responsibility but also shows a practical way of comprehensively caring for workers.
That is also a vivid proof of the role of grassroots trade union officials - those who silently build sustainable values from the things closest to union members and workers.
