Bridge connecting with difficult circumstances
In early April 2025, Lao Dong Newspaper received a letter of support from Ms. Thu Hang (name changed) - born in 1984, from Ha Tinh province, working as a worker at T.U Company Limited in Song Than 1 Industrial Park, Di An Ward, Ho Chi Minh City. 10 years ago, Ms. Hang's husband unfortunately died in an accident, leaving her alone to raise 2 young children.
However, disaster once again came to the family. Ms. Hang was sick, when she went to the doctor, the doctor diagnosed her with metastatic pancreatic cancer.
"Each month, workers only earn about 6 million VND to cover their expenses. Now I am sick and have to quit my job to get treatment. The amount of hospital fees paid each time increased. I couldn't worry about myself and my two children. I was afraid that tomorrow I would have no family members, no one would care for my children, and they would have to drop out of school halfway. I don't know what to do to overcome the difficulties, at this time I think of Lao Dong Newspaper and write a letter hoping that the press will care and support me" - Ms. Hang shared.
After receiving the letter from Ms. Hang, a reporter from Lao Dong Newspaper contacted Binh Hoa Ward, Ho Chi Minh City, to confirm the situation Ms. Hang is facing. The reporter also wrote an article about her situation in the Golden Heart section. The article has become an information bridge, so that local agencies know, visit and support her family.
Reporters of Lao Dong Newspaper also discussed with the Trade Union of T.U Company Limited, requesting the unit to have a support plan for Ms. Hang. Immediately afterwards, the company's Trade Union mobilized workers to donate 100 million VND to her family. Through the Golden Heart Social Charity Fund, readers also supported her with nearly 10 million VND.
"The support of the quarterly and Manh Thuong Quan for my family is very valuable in difficult times. We are very grateful to Lao Dong Newspaper - Ms. Hang shared.
Lao Dong Newspaper accompanies to protect rights
In mid-July 2025, many workers who bought apartments at social housing apartments (Tan Dong Hiep ward, Ho Chi Minh City) reported to Lao Dong Newspaper that more than a month after handover, they have not yet installed electric meters. After the newspaper recorded, contacted Ho Chi Minh City Power Corporation and accompanied the people, the power agency quickly installed meters and supplied electricity to households.
At the end of July 2024, workers at A.P I.N.T.L Company Limited (Bau Bang Industrial Park, Bau Bang Commune) reported to Lao Dong Newspaper that a part of the company showed signs of being mean when fined 2 workers for talking during work hours and having to sit in a rectangular box.
After receiving the report, the reporter of Lao Dong Newspaper transferred the information and images to the leaders of the Department of Labor - Invalids and Social Affairs of Binh Duong province (now the Department of Home Affairs of Ho Chi Minh City) and the Binh Duong Provincial Federation of Labor (now the Ho Chi Minh City Federation of Labor) to request verification and clarification. The authorities quickly worked with A.P I.N.T.L Company Limited and determined that because the company changed management (foreign), and did not understand Vietnamese culture, they had to impose inappropriate penalties. The company has accepted the shortcomings and remedied them.
Also in July 2024, hundreds of workers of H.S Company (Binh Duong Ward, Ho Chi Minh City), who were owed wages by the company for a long time and were in difficult circumstances, sent letters to the support of Lao Dong Newspaper. After receiving the information, the reporter went to the factory and returned to the boarding houses to record the employment and living conditions of workers.
Immediately after the articles of Lao Dong Newspaper, local authorities stepped in to review and deploy support. Hundreds of workers were supported with 1 million VND each from the union. Wards and communes also provide additional necessities for workers, encouraging landlords to share difficulties with workers who are owed wages. The authorities also refund taxes so that businesses have a source of money to pay part of the salary to employees.
"Thanks to Lao Dong Newspaper writing an article, we have received support from benefactors and authorities. With that support, we overcame the difficult period and continued to stick with Ho Chi Minh City" - Ms. Le Thi Huong (52 years old, from Nam Dinh) shared.
