Courage and adaptability
The past term was probably one of the most turbulent periods for the Vietnam Trade Union organization with the merger of administrative units, the reorganization of the two-level government model, the termination of trade union organizations in agencies receiving 100% salaries from the state budget, streamlining focal points, streamlining staff... All those events have created a real "test" for the bravery and adaptive capacity of the trade union system. Then, trade union organizations at all levels have proven their role in many fields, in which, the most prominent highlight is maintaining and raising the role of representing and protecting the legitimate and lawful rights and interests of workers, especially in the fields of collective bargaining, dialogue, legal advice and dispute resolution.
Data released at the commendation ceremony for 101 outstanding grassroots trade union presidents (CĐCS) typical of the whole country organized by the Vietnam General Confederation of Labour recently showed that: despite many difficulties, under the direction of the Presidium of the Vietnam General Confederation of Labour, trade union levels have promoted dialogue and collective bargaining; tens of thousands of collective labor agreements (TƯLĐTT) have been signed, enhancing the rights of millions of workers. This result comes from the bravery, responsibility and enthusiasm of CĐCS officials, especially grassroots trade union presidents.
Based on the reality of the enterprise and legal regulations, the chairmen of grassroots trade unions coordinate and propose to employers to develop regulations on dialogue and organize employee (employee) conferences. The quality of collective labor agreements is built practically, in accordance with the production and business situation of the enterprise, with many outstanding clauses, more beneficial to employees than the provisions of law; the content of negotiation focuses on core issues of concern to the Trade Union organization. Specifically: 100% of collective labor agreements have content higher than legal regulations, of which 68.7% of collective labor agreements have regulations on salary scales, salary tables, salaries, bonuses, and types of allowances; 73% of collective labor agreements have regulations on meals; 86% of collective labor agreements stipulate working hours, rest hours; 35.6% of collective labor agreements stipulate reducing working hours and increasing annual days off, paid days off; 91.8% of collective labor agreements stipulate welfare, filial piety, social security, social order, social safety, social security, social security, social safety, social security, social security, social
In addition to collective labor agreements, trade union organizations at all levels also bear a strong representative mark through legal advice, participation in resolving disputes, and protecting salary and welfare rights for union members and workers. In particular, the representative role is also reflected in the fact that local trade unions actively participate in building and supervising policies. From contributing opinions on regulations on salaries, insurance, working conditions, to participating with the National Assembly and People's Council delegations in thematic meetings and dialogues with voters who are workers. There, the voices of workers, civil servants, and laborers are no longer "circling around" but are reflected directly, with a responsible address, and a mechanism to monitor to the end.
Dialogue bravery of trade union officials
Recently, on April 28, the Vietnam General Confederation of Labor organized a ceremony to honor 101 outstanding grassroots trade union presidents. These are grassroots trade union presidents who have been and are implementing many practical and effective solutions to protect workers' rights, in which dialogue and collective bargaining activities are emphasized, which are the main activities of trade unions in enterprises.
Through substantive dialogue, employees, represented by the Trade Union organization, and employers listen to each other's opinions, strengthen understanding and trust in each other; solve problems arising in labor relations quickly and effectively; protect the legitimate rights and interests of employees; promote harmonious, stable and progressive labor relations. "To have an Agreement that is more beneficial to employees than the law, the negotiation process lasts many months with many difficulties and obstacles. If trade union officials do not have the vision, heart and perseverance, and sense of responsibility, it will be very difficult to get the consensus of the business" - Ms. Le Thi Hai Chau - Chairwoman of the Trade Union of 29/3 Textile and Garment Joint Stock Company - one of the grassroots trade union chairmen who has just been honored and shared.
Furthermore, in recent years, local Trade Union organizations have had a clear shift towards going deeper into the core task of representing and protecting workers' rights. But to represent and protect the rights of workers, trade union officials, especially at the grassroots level, must understand the law, have enough courage to dialogue with businesses and accept conflicts to protect workers. "To protect workers, trade union officials must understand the law, understand businesses and have enough courage to dialogue. There are cases where if you are afraid of conflicts or do not closely follow, it is very difficult to go to the end" - Mr. Le Van Dai - Standing Vice Chairman of Da Nang City Labor Federation, shared.
Positive signals from localities in the past term are that trade union activities have become more substantive; the quality of trade union officials, especially at the grassroots level, is not only reflected in propaganda and movement organization, but also in understanding labor law, skills in dialogue and negotiation, and the bravery to protect the legitimate rights of workers in a harmonious spirit but without avoiding arising problems.
