Stop demanding a salary increase
On the morning of March 1, more than 2,500 workers of Roll Sport Shoes Company Limited (Tay Ho commune, Tho Xuan district, Thanh Hoa province) stopped working collectively. According to the workers, the reason for their suspension is because Roll Sport Shoes Co., Ltd. still maintains a salary of 4.3 million VND/month, while companies in the area have increased their salaries to more than 5 million VND/month. After listening to the opinions of workers and the participation of the trade union, the company's leaders agreed to increase salaries for workers. Therefore, most workers agreed and returned to work on the same day.
Then, for the same reason, on March 3, more than 2,000 workers of Adiana Vietnam Shoes Company Limited (in Xuan Phu commune, Tho Xuan district, Thanh Hoa province) stopped working collectively to demand a salary increase from the company.
A representative of the Tho Xuan District Labor Federation informed that the reason for the work stoppage was that workers thought the company was applying lower salaries than other enterprises in the area. Workers suggested that the enterprise increase it to nearly 5 million VND, instead of the current level of more than 4.3 million VND.
As soon as the incident occurred, the Thanh Hoa Provincial Federation of Labor directed the Tho Xuan District Federation of Labor to send staff to the company to grasp the thoughts and aspirations of workers, and work with businesses and local authorities.
After the participation of the Trade Union organization and the business leaders promised to meet the wish for a salary increase, all workers returned to normal work in the morning of the same day.
Proactively stabilize the situation
Chairman of Thanh Hoa Provincial Federation of Labor - Vo Manh Son said that the work stoppages in early 2025 are mainly due to workers demanding salary increases on par with enterprises in the same industry. This is a legitimate requirement, but to ensure harmonious labor relations, trade unions at all levels, especially grassroots trade unions, always accompany workers and enterprises, organize dialogues and negotiations to protect workers' rights and maintain stable production.
According to Mr. Son, in reality, the Trade Union organization in the area has proactively grasped the situation, resolved it early, and met the legitimate aspirations of workers, so some collective work stoppages did not take place.
With the motto of proactiveness, trade unions at all levels in Thanh Hoa focus on preventing and resolving labor disputes, collective work stoppages and propaganda to workers, while accompanying and sharing difficulties with businesses. Grassroots trade unions coordinate with authorities and peer-level experts to implement democratic regulations and enhance dialogue at enterprises. Currently, 2,907 grassroots trade unions in the administrative sector, state-owned enterprises and 614 grassroots trade unions in non-state enterprises participate in promulgating grassroots democracy regulations.
Ms. Nguyen Thi Ai - Chairwoman of the Trade Union of Sunjade Vietnam Shoes Co., Ltd. - said that the company's Trade Union regularly coordinates with businesses to organize dialogues at the workplace to promptly grasp the thoughts and aspirations of workers, preventing illegal collective work stoppages.
The trade union also negotiates with employers to sign Collective Labor Agreements, with many provisions that are more beneficial than those prescribed by law for employees.
Thanks to the timely participation of the trade union, many collective work stoppages were resolved quickly, ensuring the rights of workers and stabilizing production. This affirms the important role of trade unions in protecting labor and promoting sustainable business development.
