Separated from relatives for many years due to difficulties
Reuniting with family members during the Lunar New Year after a year of hard work is the wish of many workers working far from home. However, for many workers in difficult circumstances, this is a wish that has not been reached for many years.
Speaking to Lao Dong Newspaper, Ms. Phan Thi Hanh (teacher at Tran Phu Primary School, Chau Duc District) said that for nearly 17 years since 2008, she has not had the opportunity to celebrate Tet in Ha Tinh with her family members. Ms. Hanh said that after graduating in 1996, she went to Ba Ria - Vung Tau province, teaching at schools in remote areas of the province such as Xuyen Moc district, then Chau Duc. The income of a teacher is only enough to cover living expenses, not much, so she does not have the conditions to return to her hometown often.
Over the years, both Ms. Hanh’s family and her husband’s family have had health problems in turn. Therefore, instead of spending money going back to their hometown, her family has had to save money to send back home to help take care of her parents.
This year, with the support of the union to return home for Tet, Ms. Hanh is very emotional and is looking forward to the departure date to return home to reunite with her family during Tet.
“This year, my father is 91 years old, my mother is 87 years old and has a stroke and is bedridden. More than ever, I look forward to the day I can return home to see and visit my parents. I am very grateful to the Trade Union for creating conditions for my family and I to return home right on the occasion of Lunar New Year 2025,” Ms. Hanh said tearfully.
Ms. Nguyen Thi Van (born in 1992, worker at Phuc Tien Shoe Manufacturing Company Limited) said that it has been 7 years since 2018 until now, she has not had the opportunity to return to her hometown to reunite.
Ms. Van is from Ha Nam, works and has a family in Ba Ria - Vung Tau. Her income from a factory worker's salary is not high, but she is the main breadwinner in the family. Her husband is a freelancer with an unstable income, and they have two young children, only 3.5 years old and 22 months old; the whole family is renting a house. Therefore, Ms. Van cannot afford to return to her hometown, especially during Tet when train and bus tickets are expensive.
Trade unions help workers celebrate Tet with their families
Trade unions at all levels have had many support programs, creating conditions for union members and workers in difficult circumstances to return home to reunite with their families during Tet.
In Ba Ria - Vung Tau, the Vietnam General Confederation of Labor organized the donation of 200 train tickets and 57 plane tickets for union members and workers to return home for Tet. In addition, the provincial Confederation of Labor also organized support for 200 train, bus and plane tickets for people in difficult circumstances to return home for Tet.
The grassroots trade unions also organized 4 trips to bring nearly 200 workers back to their hometowns for the Lunar New Year 2025. At the same time, the Provincial Federation of Labor organized 4 trips; the grassroots trade unions organized about 8 trips to support workers traveling from Ba Ria - Vung Tau to train stations and airports.
Among them, Ms. Phan Thi Hanh and her daughter were supported with train tickets to return home for Tet, departing on the afternoon of January 24; and Ms. Nguyen Thi Van was supported with plane tickets to Hanoi, departing on the afternoon of January 25.
According to the Ba Ria - Vung Tau Provincial Federation of Labor, the support programs for workers to return to their hometowns to celebrate Tet, reunite, and become union members all demonstrate the practical concern of the Vietnam General Confederation of Labor and trade unions at all levels in the province for union members and workers. Thereby contributing to encouraging and sharing the difficulties of workers during the Lunar New Year 2025. At the same time, the activities also create conditions for union members and workers to return to their hometowns to celebrate Tet, return to their units and businesses conveniently, quickly, and safely; creating momentum at the beginning of the new year and quickly entering production activities.
