Workers lose benefits due to lack of legal information
In industrial parks in Ho Chi Minh City, workers have to bear the burden of making a living. Sample income makes them have no reserves, easily vulnerable to market fluctuations.
The reality over the past time shows that when some businesses encounter difficulties and have to cut staff or relocate factories, workers are prone to falling into a state of helplessness. Notably, due to not mastering the Labor Law and regulations on Social Insurance (SI), many workers have unintentionally deprived themselves of their legitimate rights. There are cases where workers have worked and contributed for many years, but when they quit their jobs, they do not know they are entitled to unemployment benefits.
Having fallen into a difficult situation due to lack of legal information, Ms. Le Thi My Lan (resident of a boarding house in Linh Xuan ward) shared that before, when she quit her job at her old company, she completely did not know that she was eligible for unemployment benefits. Throughout the time she lost her job, her life became precarious and difficult, but she also did not know who to ask for guidance or information support.
When I moved to a new workplace, and was consulted by the grassroots trade union, I understood my rights, including unemployment benefits. At that time, I was very sorry that I didn't know early enough to apply. I hope that in the near future, there will be legal experts coming to the grassroots level, as a support for workers," Ms. Lan shared.
Black credit" traps surround boarding houses
Also a victim who almost fell into the "black credit" trap, Mr. N.T. C (a worker renting a room in Linh Xuan ward, Ho Chi Minh City) recounted that he was often invited by strange phone numbers to borrow capital with "sweet words" such as easy procedures, super cheap interest rates. In a situation where his meager salary was not enough to cover living expenses, spending pressure once made his family consider borrowing "hot money" to manage.
At that time, I was in poverty and lacked legal knowledge, so I intended to borrow hot money. Fortunately, thanks to watching legal advice programs and understanding the exorbitant interest rate tricks of black credit, I managed to give up my intention," Mr. C. shared.
From his story, Mr. C. believes that many workers are easily trapped because they have little access to official legal information. He hopes that legal advice programs for workers will be organized regularly and spread more widely.
Ms. Tuyet Anh (a landlord in Linh Xuan ward) realizes that workers' understanding of legal regulations related to the rights of each individual is still very limited. Because of lack of knowledge, when losing their jobs due to economic instability, workers fall into a lonely situation, not knowing where to cling to protect themselves. Many workers lose their jobs, losing both their salaries and Tet bonuses, but are helpless to endure because they are not familiar with the law.
To solve this situation, workers and landlords both expect that legal dissemination programs in the coming time will be spread more strongly. Instead of sparse activities, it is necessary to bring a team of lawyers and experts to directly "knock on doors" of each boarding area to advise and untangle problems for workers. Having legal knowledge to protect themselves from the surrounding traps, workers can truly feel secure in their careers, ensuring solid social security in large cities.
The program "Giving health and legal advice to workers - For a healthy Vietnam" co-organized by Lao Dong Newspaper, Ho Chi Minh City Labor Federation, Vietnam Bar Federation and Vietnam Young Physicians Association on June 21 is a practical activity contributing to the good implementation of Directive No. 58-CT/TW dated January 10, 2026 of the Secretariat "On strengthening the Party's leadership over propaganda, political, ideological, and legal education for workers in the new situation" and implementing the resolutions of Trade Union Congresses at all levels as well as practically celebrating the success of the 14th Vietnam Trade Union Congress for the 2026 - 2031 term.
In this program, in addition to 2,000 workers being examined and given free medicine by doctors and medical staff, nearly 30 lawyers from the Vietnam Bar Federation will directly provide legal advice to workers related to legal situations very close to workers' lives regarding salaries, social insurance, health insurance, unemployment insurance, civil, criminal, family marriage, land, inheritance, personal protection content, privacy, rules of conduct when participating in social networks...
In addition, the Program also organizes lucky draws and gives gifts to workers and laborers with many attractive and practical gifts...
