Trade unions are places workers can come to when needed
In the last days of May, the vermicelli processing factory in Nguyen Binh (Cao Bang) was on fire from early morning. The heat from the steaming stoves billowed up, the sound of arrowroot grinders mixed with laughter created a busy pace of labor in the rocky mountains.
Sitting taking a break on the factory porch, Ms. Hoang Thi May - a seasonal worker - recounted that she had previously refused to join the Trade Union many times.
“In those days, I thought paying union dues every month would cost more money. Working as a day laborer, the income was not much, so I was only worried about finding a job in the short term,” Ms. May said.
After many years of seasonal work at agricultural product processing facilities, she hardly cares about the concept of union member. For her, the Trade Union is something far-fetched, only for workers at large factories in the lowlands.
That thought only changed when at the beginning of this year, her husband had a labor accident while working as a hired worker at a civil construction site. Family income was almost interrupted when the breadwinner had to be hospitalized for treatment for many weeks.
Knowing the difficult circumstances, local trade union officials directly visited and supported part of the treatment costs and established stable jobs for her at the vermicelli processing facility.
When it's difficult, I see how precious it is that someone asks and helps. Before, I thought the Trade Union would only hold movement meetings, but now I understand that it is a place where workers can come to when needed," Ms. May shared.
According to the Cao Bang Provincial Labor Federation, most local workers work in small production facilities, limited-scale private enterprises or seasonal workers. Therefore, instead of just focusing on propaganda, trade union levels are changing their approach: taking practical support to build trust and retain union members.
From meals to worker shelters
The lunch break at a garment factory in De Tham Industrial Park became more bustling when workers gathered in the newly renovated and clean kitchen area.
Few people know that in the past, many workers had to bring rice from home or eat temporarily in the corner of the factory due to poor living conditions. A rudimentary meal was once a concern for many female workers working all day on the garment line.
Ms. Nong Thi Huyen - a garment worker with more than 6 years of experience at the enterprise - said that what makes her attached to the Trade Union is not the big slogans but the small changes in daily life.
Since the Trade Union proposed, the quality of lunch meals has improved. Workers are also given periodic health check-ups and gift support during Tet holidays, so everyone feels truly cared for," Ms. Huyen said.
Not only in large enterprises, many grassroots trade unions in Cao Bang also proactively implement care models suitable for mountainous workers.
In the highlands of Ha Quang, local trade unions coordinate to organize "Workers' Markets", bringing essential consumer goods at preferential prices to workers' workplaces. Stalls selling rice, cooking oil, and discounted necessities are always crowded with workers coming to buy after work hours.
Or in the mountainous region of Trung Khanh, many union members in difficult circumstances are supported to repair their houses through the "Trade Union Shelter" program. Some families have lived in dilapidated houses for many years, now they have the conditions to repair corrugated iron roofs and house foundations.
According to Mr. Be Dang Khoa - Chairman of the Cao Bang Provincial Labor Federation, to develop sustainable union members, first of all, workers must feel the benefits of participating in the organization.
If only mobilizing with slogans, it will be very difficult to persuade.Workers are most concerned about whether they are supported when they are in difficulty, whether their rights are protected," Mr. Khoa shared.
Many years ago, union member development in Cao Bang faced many difficulties due to few businesses, dispersed labor and frequent job changes.Many workers work seasonally in other provinces, so it is very difficult to maintain stable trade union activities.
Faced with that reality, the trade union organization shifted from "quick development" to "solid development", focusing on improving the quality of operations at the grassroots level instead of just chasing quantity. One of the clear changes in Cao Bang is that trade union officials proactively accompany businesses to take care of workers' lives.
Many small businesses were previously not enthusiastic about establishing grassroots trade unions because they were worried about incurring costs or affecting production activities. However, when they saw the Trade Union contributing to stabilizing labor relations, supporting businesses to take care of workers, awareness gradually changed.
Not only caring for life, trade union officials in Cao Bang also become "bridges" to support workers to access policies and laws. Some workers, after many years of working, realize that they have the right to sign labor contracts, participate in social insurance or enjoy maternity benefits. Many cases of unreasonable salary arrears and job termination have been supported by trade unions in dialogue and protection of their rights.
In addition, many grassroots trade unions also proactively innovate their activities in a more practical direction. Care programs are no longer spread out but focus on the immediate needs of workers such as housing support, loans, health check-ups, improving the quality of meals or labor law advice.
Amidst the overlapping rocky mountains in Cao Bang, the journey of union member development is starting from the simplest things: a more adequate meal, a repaired roof or timely support when workers encounter upheavals and difficulties.
Precisely from those seemingly small things, the Trade Union organization is gradually building its own attraction in mountainous areas - where workers always need a support to feel secure in working, sticking to the profession and sticking for a long time.
