Strengthening coordination to improve the quality of activities
Ms. Pham Thi Xuan Hong - Chairwoman of Binh Loi Commune Trade Union - said that ward and commune trade unions need to connect and coordinate well with the Vietnam Fatherland Front Committees of wards and communes and socio-political organizations to protect the legitimate rights and interests of union members and workers.
According to Ms. Le Ngoc Minh Hien - Member of the Executive Committee of the Trade Union of Hoa Mi Kindergarten, Phu Dinh Ward, the trade unions of wards and communes have almost no official funding source, all activities depend on the support of the locality for each case or the superior Labor Federation. This has caused the Executive Committee of the ward and commune trade unions to fall into a passive position, unable to develop a long-term plan, unable to carry out emergency and urgent activities.
Ms. Hien proposed to pilot a flexible financial mechanism drawn from trade union finances of the Ho Chi Minh City Labor Federation according to the mechanism of contract issuance according to the number of enterprises and employees in the area each year or the budget based on the operating plan and assigned targets for developing union members, establishing grassroots unions, and organizing activities. The contents are allowed to be spent such as survey costs, organizing meetings to mobilize workers and enterprises to establish grassroots unions, spending on caring for union members and workers...
Mr. Tran Van Thanh Hung - Chairman of Khanh Hoi Ward Trade Union - said that in addition to trade union activities, the ward trade union is also assigned a number of additional activities of the Vietnam Fatherland Front Committee of the ward.
Mr. Hung also frankly acknowledged that the labor movement and trade union activities, the work of caring for union members and workers has stagnated. Mr. Hung said that ward union activities need to be discussed and coordinated with local trade unions and suggested that trade unions raise requirements for ward and commune trade unions. On that basis, the ward and commune trade unions can effectively support the grassroots trade unions.
Finding practical solutions for ward and commune union activities
Mr. Tran Van Thang - Chairman of Phu Dinh Ward Trade Union - said that the thematic session took place in the context of the Ho Chi Minh City political system operating under the 2-level local government model from July 1, 2025, along with the establishment of the ward and commune trade union model. This is a new model, although there are initial guidance documents of the Vietnam General Confederation of Labor and the Ho Chi Minh City Confederation of Labor, there are still many difficulties and problems regarding the legal framework, financial mechanisms, and policies for trade union activities and trade union officials.
Organizing thematic activities is not about recounting difficulties, but focusing on finding practical solutions. Today's theme is not only topical but also a prerequisite to affirm the position and value of the Ward and Commune Trade Union in the local political system" - Mr. Thang emphasized.
Mr. Pham Chi Tam - Vice Chairman, Head of the Area Management Working Group No. 2 of the Ho Chi Minh City Labor Federation - acknowledged the enthusiastic contributions of the union officials attending the meeting and highly appreciated the proactiveness of the Phu Dinh Ward Labor Union in organizing a practical forum.
Mr. Tam also suggested that ward and commune trade unions continue to promote the spirit of creativity, flexibility, and solidarity to overcome challenges, affirming the role of the trade union organization, a solid bridge between the Party, government, and workers.
In the immediate future, focus on the specific activities of the Trade Union organization, represent and protect legitimate rights and interests, care for the interests of union members and workers, and not leave any vacant areas. Activities coordinated with other socio-political organizations will have to be consistent with the reality of each locality.
"Ward and commune union officials need to spend more time finding a way to do things in accordance with reality to continue affirming the role and position of the Vietnam Trade Union in the new era, the era of national growth" - Mr. Tam emphasized.
