From simple care to effective representation and negotiation
One of the key requirements set by General Secretary and President To Lam at the 14th Vietnam Trade Union Congress is to enhance the representative role and protect the legitimate and lawful rights and interests of workers. This is also a strategic task for the Trade Unions of Industrial Parks (IPs) and Economic Zones (EZs) of Dong Thap - which are gathering more than 85,000 workers working in many large-scale enterprises, including many foreign-invested enterprises with tens of thousands of workers.
In that context, Trade Union activities cannot only stop at programs of visiting, supporting or giving gifts on holidays and Tet. What workers need more than anything is an organization with sufficient representative capacity, sufficient dialogue bravery and sufficient prestige to protect their rights in labor relations. Therefore, the Trade Union of Industrial Parks and Economic Zones of Dong Thap determines to strongly shift from "movement trade unions" to "negotiation trade unions". The focus is to improve the capacity for collective dialogue and negotiation for grassroots trade union officials, helping collective labor agreements truly bring benefits higher than the provisions of law. Contents such as salaries, quality of meals, safe working conditions, policies for female workers and special welfare regimes need to become the focus of the negotiation process.
Along with that, the mechanism of regular dialogue at enterprises needs to be maintained effectively, so that all recommendations and reflections of workers are listened to and resolved promptly right from the grassroots level. This is an important solution to limit labor disputes, contributing to building harmonious, stable and progressive labor relations.
Digital transformation to narrow the gap with union members
Managing a large number of union members distributed in many industrial zones and clusters raises the requirement to innovate operating methods. Thoroughly grasping the direction of the General Secretary and President on "considering the grassroots level as the decisive area for the vitality of the Trade Union organization", the Trade Union of Industrial Parks and Economic Zones of Dong Thap identified digital transformation as an important solution to improve the effectiveness of connecting with union members.
Building online interactive platforms such as trade union applications, electronic information portals, online feedback receiving systems or digital communication channels will help workers easily access trade union organizations anytime, anywhere.
Through these platforms, workers can send petitions and feedback on working conditions, policies, social insurance or register for support programs quickly and conveniently. This is also a channel to help trade union organizations grasp the thoughts and aspirations of union members in real time, thereby having appropriate and timely support solutions.
In addition, the application of technology in labor law consulting, policy dissemination and answering issues related to workers' rights will contribute to building the image of a close, modern and professional trade union organization.
Building a social security ecosystem for workers
At the XIV Congress, General Secretary and President To Lam emphasized: "Each industrial park must be a place not only with factories, but also with cultural institutions, housing, schools, healthcare and a safe and humane living environment.
This is also the direction for the Trade Union of Industrial Parks and Economic Zones of Dong Thap to build a "trade union ecosystem", where the care for workers not only takes place within the enterprise but also expands to extracurricular life.
Reality shows that many workers are still facing difficulties in housing, living expenses, taking care of young children and access to essential public services. Therefore, the task of caring for trade union organizations needs to be expanded from the workplace to the living space of workers.
In the new term, the Trade Union of Industrial Parks and Economic Zones of Dong Thap will continue to promote the role of a bridge between workers, businesses and local authorities to promote the development of trade union institutions, social housing, kindergartens, cultural and sports activity points serving workers.
The formation of a "trade union ecosystem" not only helps workers stabilize their lives and feel secure at work, but also contributes to retaining human resources, improving labor productivity and creating a sustainable development foundation for businesses.
Accompanying workers in the face of automation waves
The strong development of digital technology, artificial intelligence and automation is profoundly changing the labor market. Many simple jobs are at risk of being replaced, while requirements for qualifications and professional skills are increasing.
In that context, the Trade Union is not only an organization protecting the rights but also must become a companion on the journey to improve the professional capacity of workers.
The Trade Union of Industrial Parks and Economic Zones of Dong Thap will proactively coordinate with businesses, vocational education institutions and training units to organize digital skills training programs, new vocational skills and knowledge to adapt to the modern production environment.
Each worker needs to be given conditions for lifelong learning, improving professional qualifications to adapt to changes in the labor market. At that time, the technology transformation process will no longer be a challenge but become an opportunity for workers to improve their self-worth, improve income and develop a sustainable career.
Measuring the satisfaction of union members
The 2026 - 2031 term opens up many opportunities but also poses many requirements for innovation for the Trade Union organization. With a force of more than 85,000 union members, workers, and laborers working in industrial parks and clusters, the Trade Union of Industrial Parks and Economic Zones of Dong Thap needs to continue to affirm its role as a reliable support for workers, an effective bridge between union members and businesses and the government.
Innovation is not only in the operating method but also in the service mindset. When all action programs aim to improve the quality of life, protect rights and create development opportunities for workers, the Trade Union organization will truly become the connecting center of a sustainable social security ecosystem.
That is also the path for the Resolution of the 14th Vietnam Trade Union Congress to go into life, present in each workshop, each production line and in the belief of each union member and worker in the land of Sen Hong.
Nguyen Thanh Nhan Chairman of the Trade Union of Industrial Parks and Economic Zones of Dong Thap
