With a coastline of nearly 200 km, Binh Thuan is one of the three largest fishing grounds in the country and is a place with favorable conditions and strengths to develop the marine economy, especially fishing and seafood exploitation.
According to the Department of Agriculture and Rural Development of Binh Thuan province, the province currently has 5 fishing unions with 548 union members of 55 offshore fishing vessels, under the Phan Thiet City Labor Federation, LaGi Town Labor Federation, Phu Quy Island District Labor Federation and Tuy Phong District Labor Federation.
14 years ago, Binh Thuan was one of two provinces in the country that the Vietnam General Confederation of Labor piloted the establishment of a fishing union. Since then, the establishment of fishing unions has contributed to raising awareness of fishermen; building harmonious, stable and progressive labor relations between workers and boat owners. This is the fulcrum to care for the lives and protect the legitimate interests of fishermen. The Fisheries Union also actively contributes to protecting the environment, fish farms, aquatic resources, protecting security and order at sea and sovereignty of sea and island borders.
After a long period of operation, fisheries unions in Binh Thuan have held congresses twice and elected Executive Committee and Inspection Committee. Due to limited union financial revenue and union finances are only for caring for union members, fisheries union officials are not entitled to responsibility allowances according to the regulations of the Vietnam General Confederation of Labor. In addition, most fishing unions do not have funding sources, so it affects the implementation of emulation movements and participation, organization of cultural and social activities as well as caring for, encouraging, and visiting union members.
However, the activities of the fishing union still received much attention and direction from the superior union and were supported with material and cash support, worth more than 4 billion VND. In addition, the Binh Thuan Provincial Federation of Labor directly supported and helped equip 32 communication means on fishing vessels and on shore, life buoys; paid 50 boat insurance, 2,000 crew member accident insurance, supported funding for sunken vessels, damaged fishing nets, crew members affected by natural disasters with nearly 1 billion VND...
Although due to the nature of labor and production, union officials of fisheries unions have also tried to fully participate in professional training sessions organized by higher-level unions.
To maintain and promote the effectiveness of fishing unions, in the coming time, functional units will continue to propose to competent authorities regulations on creating revenue for grassroots unions in general and fishing unions in particular to have operating funding. Strengthen social security activities, care for and improve the material quality of life for union members so that union members can feel secure going out to sea and sticking to the sea.
At the same time, focus on connecting fishermen, linking together to fish, supporting each other in difficult times at sea and taking care of the lives of fisheries union members better and better.
