No longer struggling to prepare for Tet
In a rented room of more than 10m2 near Dong Pho Moi Industrial Park (Lao Cai), Ms. Giang Thi Hong (31 years old, H'Mong ethnicity, garment worker) confided: "Tet is very important to us people, but a few years ago I was very worried because there was little money and the road back to my hometown was far. This year, being concerned by the trade union, I feel lighter" - Ms. Hong shared.
Her hometown is in the highlands of Bac Ha. 6 years ago, she went down to the city to work as a worker with the desire to have a stable income to raise young children and help her elderly parents. Her salary of more than 7 million VND per month must cover rent, living expenses, and sending home, so every Tet holiday, worries piled up.
Bus ticket money, money to buy Tet gifts for parents, siblings... for us mountain people is not simple. There were years when I intended to stay but did not return because I was afraid of wasting money" - Ms. Hong said.
This year, in addition to Tet gifts, she was also introduced by the trade union to buy essential goods at preferential prices at the Trade Union Tet Market.
Rice, cooking oil, cakes and candies are cheaper than on the market. These necessities help my family no longer struggle to worry about Tet" - she said, her eyes brightly lit with joy.
At Au Lau Industrial Park, Mr. Lo Van Thang (27 years old, Thai ethnicity, wood processing worker) said that this is the first year he has participated in the "Tet Sum vay" program.
I have been working far from home for several years, every Tet I hesitate about going home. This year, being supported by the trade union with gifts and bus tickets, I am much more reassured" - Mr. Thang shared.
Mr. Thang's family is in Mu Cang Chai, where most people live on rice fields. Workers' income helps him have a more stable life, but it is very difficult to have abundance.
We Thai people value Tet very much. Having gifts to bring home to my parents, I feel more fulfilled my duty" - Mr. Thang said.
Focus on Tet care for workers far from home
Talking to Lao Dong Newspaper, Ms. Dinh Thi Hong Lan - Deputy Head of the Trade Union of Industrial Parks of Lao Cai province - said: After implementing the two-level local government model and merging the province, the Trade Union of Industrial Parks of Lao Cai province was directly assigned to manage 91 grassroots trade unions with 14,560 workers, including 13,028 union members.
In just over 6 months of implementing the new model, the Trade Union Committee has guided 6 grassroots trade unions to sign collective labor agreements with many clauses beneficial to workers such as increasing overtime allowances from 25,000 to 30,000 VND; supporting 500,000 VND/month for couples working together at enterprises; supporting gasoline, salary for the 13th month, professional bonus. Along with that, the work of developing union members continues to be promoted with 1,800 new union members, establishing 4 grassroots trade unions in enterprises, contributing to expanding the Trade Union organization in industrial parks.
According to Ms. Lan, in the coming time, the immediate focus is on taking care of the 2026 Lunar New Year for union members and workers; reviewing difficult cases and children of union members suffering from dangerous diseases to promptly visit and encourage them. At the same time, continue to promote the work of developing union members, establishing Trade Union organizations in enterprises, ensuring salary and bonus regimes so that workers can feel secure in sticking with and returning to work after Tet.
During the Lunar New Year, care activities focus on workers in difficult circumstances, workers far from home, workers who are ethnic minorities, workers who have accidents or reduced working hours. In addition to Tet gifts, many units also organize vehicles to take workers home, support buying goods at preferential prices, creating a gathering space right at the workplace. For ethnic minority workers, Tet is associated with cultural identity and family. Therefore, the trade union tries to ensure that everyone has the conditions to celebrate Tet warmly" - Deputy Head of the Trade Union of Industrial Parks of Lao Cai province shared.
