No longer formalistic
At the production workshop of an industrial enterprise in Tang Loong Industrial Park (Lao Cai), Ms. Nguyen Thi Lan, a worker with nearly 10 years of attachment to the enterprise, could not hide her joy when mentioning the shift meal allowance that had just been adjusted to increase since the beginning of this year.
Previously, many brothers and sisters wanted to increase the level of meal support to ensure health when working in shifts. The opinions were summarized by the trade union and put into dialogue with the business. After many exchanges, the business agreed to adjust. For us workers, that is a very practical change" - Ms. Lan shared.
At many businesses in Lao Cai province, recommendations on salaries, bonuses, benefits, working conditions or regimes for workers are gradually being resolved through periodic dialogues and increasingly substantive collective negotiations. Previously, in many businesses, periodic dialogues sometimes only stopped at disseminating information or answering procedural issues. However, in recent years, with the involvement of the Trade Union organization, dialogues have become a forum for workers to directly express their thoughts and aspirations.
At Babeeni Vietnam Co., Ltd. Lao Cai Branch, in the regular dialogue at the beginning of 2026, many workers proposed that the enterprise consider adjusting the attendance bonus level, additional financial support for in-depth health checks and improve the cooling system in the production area. After the process of exchange and negotiation between the Executive Committee of the grassroots Trade Union and employers, many contents have been received and included in the implementation plan.
Highlighting the right to mastery of workers
Ms. Vuong Thi Anh - Chairwoman of Nghia Lo Ward Trade Union - informed that to achieve those results, the union must not only sit at the dialogue table but also proactively survey and grasp the thoughts of union members in advance.
We distribute opinion forms, meet with workers at each production team. The contents that are of interest to many people will be summarized and carefully prepared before entering negotiations. Thanks to that, the recommendations all come from the actual needs of workers" - Ms. Anh said.
A noteworthy point in trade union activities today is not only the number of dialogues or collective labor agreements signed, but also the quality and effectiveness of agreements.
According to Mr. Phan Huy Cuong - Vice Chairman of the Provincial Labor Federation, Head of the Trade Union of Industrial Parks of Lao Cai province, in many enterprises in Lao Cai, clauses that are more beneficial than the provisions of law are increasingly appearing in collective labor agreements.
These could be commitments to Tet bonuses at a minimum level for workers; support for meal allowances at a higher level than regulations; unexpected difficulty allowances; support for children of workers with good academic achievements; organize annual in-depth health check-ups; or policies to train and improve skills for workers.
Lao Cai Provincial Labor Federation also strengthens training and supports trade union officials to master labor laws, negotiation skills and handle situations arising in labor relations.
