From "Supermarket discounts" to a glass of cool water in the middle of the shift
Understanding the spending pressures of workers (NLĐ) in the context of fluctuating living costs, the grassroots Trade Union (CĐCS) of An Giang SamHo Co., Ltd. (the company) has flexibly implemented many direct support models. Notably, the model "Trade Union Welfare - Trade Union Supermarket".
By joining hands with suppliers, the Trade Union brings essential goods at stable prices, cheaper than the market, helping workers alleviate daily worries about food, clothing and money. The care of the Trade Union is also reflected in small but "impacting" the psychology of workers. These are free pumping stations and tire repair stations or essential gifts given at times of need.
In particular, understanding the hardship of workers in a high-intensity production environment and hot weather, the Trade Union has proposed to install a system of free pure ice production machines right at the factory. Cool glasses of water not only help cool down but also show subtle concern for the health and working conditions of union members, workers, and laborers (NLĐ).
Pulling" benefits towards workers
Not only stopping at visiting activities, the company's grassroots trade union clearly demonstrates its role as a "shield" protecting workers' rights through negotiation and signing collective labor agreements. These agreements bring many superior clauses, exceeding the minimum regulations of law. This is not easy for a large-scale FDI enterprise, if the Executive Committee of the grassroots trade union does not have enough cleverness and bravery.
Sharing about this experience, Ms. Nguyen Thi Kim Oanh - Vice President, Head of the Women's Affairs Committee of the company's grassroots trade union - said: "Before each proposed decision, we carefully discuss the timing, content, and appropriate language style... so it is usually very easy to persuade company leaders.
The most notable are policies to protect female workers. At the company, female workers who are pregnant or raising young children under 12 months old are not only arranged for light work but also receive a 1-hour work day reduction, enjoying full salary. Even pregnant female workers are given an additional 1-day/month holiday with full salary. In addition, through regular dialogues, the Trade Union has persistently advised and persuaded the Board of Directors to increase the quality of mid-shift meals from 12,000 VND to 15,000 VND/meal. This adjustment is of great significance in regenerating labor for a scale of more than 10,000 workers. Diligence bonuses, initiative bonuses, and funeral and wedding support regimes are also continuously being improved, creating great motivation for workers to become more attached to the garment and factory lines.
Caring for the rear, giving a home to live in
Determining that "a solid rear means a secure frontline", the company's grassroots trade union has opened its arms to care for workers' families. Every Tet holiday and spring comes, the "Tet Sum vay" program is bustling to welcome nearly 3,000 workers and laborers to participate. The Trade Union organization also closely monitors the progress, ensuring 100% of workers receive full 13th month salary and Tet bonuses before returning to their hometowns to celebrate the new year.
That concern is also extended to future generations through "Full Moon Night Festivals", or thousands of scholarships and gifts commending children of workers overcoming difficulties and studying well. In particular, to solve the problem of housing for workers far from home, the "SamHo Shelter" and "Trade Union Shelter" programs have been strongly implemented. Houses built from the spirit of mutual affection have helped dozens of poor workers escape the scene of rented houses being dilapidated, and feel secure in building their lives. In times of fluctuating orders or difficult epidemics, the Trade Union is also a credit bridge when coordinating with the CEP Microfinance organization to support preferential loan capital, helping workers do side businesses, staying away from the "black credit" trap.
