According to Mr. Tran Duc Thich - Chairman of the Trade Union of Vietnam Post Corporation (Vietnam Union of Science and Technology), in the context of the fourth industrial revolution taking place strongly with the rapid development of artificial intelligence, big data, cloud computing and digital economy, Vietnam's labor force is facing both great opportunities and deep transformation pressure. Many traditional occupations are at risk of being replaced; the requirements for professional skills, digital capacity and adaptability of workers are increasing.
Faced with that situation, the task of the trade union organization will no longer only perform the role of taking care of traditional welfare but also need to actively participate in building new production forces with technological level, digital skills, innovative thinking and adaptability to the digital economy. This is an inevitable requirement to ensure sustainable employment for workers in the future.
From practice, Mr. Tran Duc Thich proposed some key contents to send to the 14th Vietnam Trade Union Congress.
Trade unions take the lead in improving digital skills for workers.
Retraining and improving digital skills, AI skills and adaptability to the digital economy needs to be identified as the key tasks of trade union organizations in the coming period. Trade unions need to coordinate with professionals, training institutions and technology businesses to popularize basic digital skills, digital platform working skills, information security and innovative thinking for union members and workers.
Trade unions actively participate in building a lifelong learning ecosystem for workers.
The digital age makes the life cycle of professional skills shorten very quickly. Therefore, trade unions need to promote the formation of a culture of regular learning; build models of "Digital Learning Trade Union", "Digital Union Member", "Each Union Member a New Technology Skill"; strongly utilize online training platforms, digital libraries and open learning models so that workers in all regions have the opportunity to access new knowledge.
In particular, it is necessary to pay attention to the group of workers at risk of being replaced by automation; support career change and skills upgrading before being eliminated from the labor market.
Trade unions protect workers from the negative impacts of AI and the digital economy.
The development of AI and the foundational economy has led to the emergence of many new labor models such as digital platform labor, technology freelance labor, remote work... Meanwhile, many workers are not fully guaranteed social insurance, stable income, working hours and personal data security.
Trade unions need to proactively participate in perfecting labor policies and laws in the digital environment; protect workers' rights from the risk of job loss due to automation; and promote ethical standards and social responsibility in AI application. Technology development must go hand in hand with human development; AI must be a tool to support improving productivity and labor efficiency rather than increasing inequality.
Building a team of trade union officials who truly understand digital transformation and new technologies.
To effectively accompany workers in the digital age, first of all, trade union officials must change their thinking and operating methods; not only be good at the movement but also understand technology, data and the impact of AI on jobs and labor relations.
Trade unions need to promote digital transformation in their activities; build a modern union member data system; apply AI in management, legal advice, union member care and trade union communication.
In parallel with accompanying professionals to participate in building new production forces, ensuring sustainable jobs for workers, trade unions also need to pay attention to and care for protecting the legitimate and lawful rights and interests of union members and workers.
