Ms. Thai Thi Mai - Vice President of the Son La Provincial Labor Federation (LĐLĐ) - informed that after arrangement, the non-business sector still has 71 grassroots trade unions with 5,482 union members; the business, cooperative and trade union sector still has 117 grassroots trade unions with 6,549 union members. Faced with the above situation, the Son La Provincial Labor Federation determined that developing union members and establishing grassroots trade unions is a key and long-term task. In the first 6 months of 2026, trade union levels have newly established 4 grassroots trade unions with 1,488 union members, reaching 74% of the target assigned by the Vietnam General Confederation of Labour to Son La in 2026.
However, the work of developing union members in the non-state business sector, especially in mountainous areas, still faces many difficulties. Most businesses are small in scale, labor is frequently fluctuating; some employers are still hesitant to establish Trade Union organizations. In addition, many workers from the agricultural sector do not fully understand the role and function of the Trade Union, so they do not actively participate.
According to Ms. Le Thi Minh Thu - Deputy Head of the Trade Union Affairs Committee, to mobilize effectively, it is necessary to put workers at the center, strengthen the leadership of the Party Committee and the coordination between the government, trade unions, and businesses. "Mobilizing the establishment of grassroots trade unions at enterprises must be persistent, flexible, and persuasive so that workers and employers understand the benefits of the Trade Union organization. Thereby, contributing to stabilizing labor relations, limiting disputes and improving production and business efficiency" - Ms. Thu shared.
One of the typical examples is Yen Chau Shoe Joint Stock Company in Met Sai village, Yen Chau commune. After a period of the Mobilization Committee directly going to production teams to propagate and explain the rights and obligations of union members and dialogue with businesses, on January 20, 2026, the company's grassroots trade union was officially established with 431 union members, and the Executive Committee included 5 members.
Mr. Pham Quang Thang - Chairman of the grassroots trade union of Yen Chau Shoe Joint Stock Company - said that when workers clearly realize that the trade union is a support, a voice protecting their legitimate rights and interests, they participate very actively. To date, 100% of official employees of the enterprise have voluntarily joined the trade union.
As one of the first union members of the company, Ms. Me Thi Thom - Head of the garment department - confided that thanks to the union's concern and support when sick, on holidays, Tet, she is more assured to work and stick with the business for a long time.
Not only in the private business sector, the re-establishment of the Son La Provincial Social Insurance Grassroots Trade Union on January 28, 2026 shows the flexibility of the Trade Union organization in adapting to the new mechanism.
According to Ms. Dinh Thi Huong - Chairwoman of the Grassroots Trade Union of Son La Provincial Social Insurance, with 224 union members, the Trade Union organization has contributed to protecting the legitimate rights and interests of workers, while strengthening solidarity and stability in the unit.
Practice from Son La shows that developing union members in mountainous areas requires perseverance, flexibility and closeness to workers. When accompanying with practical activities, the Trade Union will become a reliable support, attracting workers to voluntarily participate and stick with it for a long time.
