On June 3, on the sidelines of the 14th Vietnam Trade Union Congress, a reporter from Lao Dong Newspaper had an interview with Ms. Ho Nhu Cat Tuong - Member of the Standing Committee of the Ho Chi Minh City Labor Federation, Vice Chairwoman of the Vietnam Fatherland Front Committee of Saigon Ward, Chairwoman of the Saigon Ward Trade Union about expectations for the congress as well as solutions to improve the effectiveness of trade union activities, care for and protect the rights of workers in the new period.
Expecting the congress to issue new policies for trade union activities in the coming time
Madam, attending the 14th Congress of the Vietnam Trade Union, what are your feelings and expectations?
- Ms. Ho Nhu Cat Tuong: Attending the 14th Vietnam Trade Union Congress, I personally as well as union members and workers nationwide in general and in localities in particular are very hopeful that the congress will be successful, and at the same time đưa ra new policies and orientations for trade union activities in the coming time, especially for ward-level trade unions.
Over the past time, ward-level trade unions have faced many difficulties in the process of operation. Therefore, we hope that the congress will propose practical and effective solutions to improve the quality of trade union activities, thereby better taking care of life, jobs, as well as protecting the rights of union members and workers in the coming period.
Saigon Ward is one of the large-scale areas of Ho Chi Minh City after implementing administrative unit arrangement, with a large number of businesses and workers. What activities has the Ward Trade Union implemented to connect, care for and protect the rights of workers, and at the same time perform well the role and functions of the trade union organization?
- Ms. Ho Nhu Cat Tuong: Currently, Saigon Ward Trade Union is managing 941 grassroots trade unions with nearly 50,000 union members. With such a large force of union members and workers, we always closely follow and fully implement programs and tasks launched by higher-level trade unions.
In addition, the Ward Trade Union also proactively innovates and creates in operations, especially promoting digital transformation. Recently, in May 2026, we launched the Saigon Ward Trade Union utility application, to support union members to access information, welfare programs and trade union services more conveniently.
Along with that, the Ward Trade Union has actively mobilized businesses, philanthropists and benefactors to accompany in caring for and supporting union members and workers.
These activities in the past time have received positive response and consensus from union members, workers as well as leaders of businesses in the area, contributing to improving the effectiveness of caring for and protecting workers' rights.
Besides caring for workers, what channels does the Ward Trade Union currently have to receive feedback, recommendations as well as the thoughts and aspirations of union members and workers?
- Ms. Ho Nhu Cat Tuong: Since its establishment and official operation, the Saigon Ward Trade Union has built many information channels to strengthen connections with union members and workers.
First of all, it is a direct receiving channel through trade union officials in charge. We publicize the phone numbers of trade union officials so that union members and workers can contact, reflect and exchange when necessary.
The Ward Trade Union has built Facebook and Zalo fan pages of the Saigon Ward Trade Union (HCMC). These are information channels to help union members and workers easily access trade union organizations, present their thoughts and aspirations, and exchange with the ward trade union, as well as higher-level trade unions.
In particular, in the Saigon Ward Trade Union Utility application just launched in May, we have integrated an online Q&A and exchange section for union members and workers in the area. Through this platform, workers can share information, propose recommendations, reflect issues of concern as well as contribute opinions to the activities of the trade union organization.
We hope that all opinions of union members and workers will be listened to, received and resolved promptly, thereby improving the operational efficiency and representative role, protecting the rights of the trade union organization.
More solutions to strengthen connections between union members and workers with trade union organizations
Madam, currently many agencies and units have creative ways of legal propaganda, from building fan pages to producing skits and short videos to convey knowledge in a close and accessible way. According to you, does the Saigon Ward Trade Union intend to deploy similar models to propagate laws and raise awareness about the rights and obligations of workers in the coming time?
- Ms. Ho Nhu Cat Tuong: This is an inevitable trend in the current digital transformation context. While the number of trade union officials is limited, union members and workers are increasing, the application of technology and innovation in propaganda and connection methods is a very necessary requirement.
I hope that in the coming time there will be more solutions and digital utilities to strengthen the connection between union members and workers and trade union organizations. Not only connecting with local trade unions, workers can also directly reflect their thoughts, aspirations, and recommendations to city-level and central-level trade unions.
Through digital platforms, difficulties and obstacles in the working process, issues related to mechanisms, policies or workers' rights will be received and handled more promptly. This is also an important solution to improve the operational efficiency and the role of representing and protecting workers of the trade union organization in the new period.
After the 14th Congress of the Vietnam Trade Union, what key action programs is the Saigon Ward Trade Union expected to implement?
- Ms. Ho Nhu Cat Tuong: Currently, we are very hopeful that the Congress will issue new guidelines, orientations and regulations for trade union organizations, especially contents related to the position, role and legal basis of ward-level trade unions in the coming period.
Based on the congress results, the Saigon Ward Trade Union will develop an action program and specific plan to implement the Resolution of the 14th Vietnam Trade Union Congress.
We will focus on concretizing tasks and solutions suitable to the actual situation of the locality to improve the effectiveness of trade union activities, better meeting the needs and aspirations of union members and workers.
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