Many times the members do not believe this is their home.
On the day the “Union Shelter” house was handed over, Mr. Ploong Loc and his wife, members of the Union of Phuoc Nang Commune, former Phuoc Son District (now Que Son District), Quang Nam, could not sit still, walking back and forth while admiring the meaningful project that was given before the new spring of At Ty 2025.
Mr. Loc said that the couple's old house collapsed due to a natural disaster. He was sick, his wife was unemployed, and their children were still young. For the past few years, the whole family had to rent a house to get by.
“Since moving into this new house, there have been times when I can’t believe this is my home, I’m so happy. Without the support of benefactors, I don’t know when my family would have a spacious house like this,” said Mr. Loc.
Mr. Loc's house is the second "Union Shelter" that the Lao Dong Newspaper, Central Office, has mobilized to build for the poor in Quang Nam in 2024. Each house is supported by the Golden Heart Charitable Social Fund with 50 million VND, drawn from the contribution of the Bank for Agriculture and Rural Development (Agribank) Central.
Mr. Phan Xuan Quang - Chairman of the Quang Nam Provincial Federation of Labor - said that last year, in addition to socialized resources, the provincial Trade Union organization also supported the construction of 24 "Trade Union Shelters" for union members in difficult circumstances, with a total value of about 1 billion VND.
“When the Trade Unions at all levels receive requests for support from the “Trade Union Shelter”, we conduct a detailed survey of each case. The circumstances that are supported are all extremely difficult in terms of housing, life is also difficult because of making a living, they cannot build a safe place for their families to live, shelter from the wind and rain. Therefore, the “Trade Union Shelter” program has affirmed its practicality and effectiveness in supporting union members and workers” - Chairman of the Quang Nam Provincial Federation of Labor assessed.
According to Mr. Quang, the current support level for "Union Shelter" houses in the plains is at least 40 million VND/house, while in mountainous and especially difficult areas, the lowest support level is 45 million VND/house.
The provincial trade union is asking for the Vietnam General Confederation of Labor's approval to increase the support level to 60 million VND/house, in order to create conditions for additional support for difficult cases in the context of rising construction costs.
50 warm homes in time to welcome the new spring
During the gift-giving ceremony for disadvantaged labor union members in Khanh Vinh district before the New Year, Mr. Phan Thanh Liem - Chairman of the Khanh Hoa Provincial Labor Federation - paid attention to the union members' families celebrating Tet in warm homes.
Ms. Tran Thi Xoan - a member of Tram Huong Kindergarten - boasted: "This year, Tet is bigger than previous years because we have a new house".Due to difficult circumstances, no housing, and low income, Ms. Xoan has wanted to have a stable home for a long time but has not been able to do so.
Based on her wishes, the Khanh Vinh District Labor Union proposed to support Ms. Xoan with 60 million VND to build a warm house. Two months later, with the timely coordination of the Labor Union at all levels, Ms. Xoan's level 4 house was handed over before 2025.
As for Mr. Cao Van Mi, a worker at a wood chip processing factory in Khanh Vinh district, after many difficulties and hardships, this Tet, his family of four can now celebrate Tet with peace of mind. Mr. Mi also bought a pig and more sticky rice to welcome his parents and siblings to celebrate Tet in their new home.
“This spring, having a new house is very different. The apricot tree in front of the house has bloomed in the past few days, and the family has some cakes and fruits to welcome the spring. Thanks to the 60 million VND that the union mobilized to support, this Tet, the family is happier than many years ago. I will strive to work better in 2025 to buy more items for my happy, warm home,” Mr. Mi shared.
