Taking care of everything from meals to milk squeezing rooms to'keep' workers
In the context of increasing labor competition, especially in labor-intensive industries such as textiles and electronics, the requirements set for trade union organizations are not only to protect the legitimate and lawful rights of union members but also to adapt to new practices, accompany businesses to care for material and spiritual life and build a humane and stable working environment.
Reality at many businesses shows that the role of grassroots trade unions is increasingly being affirmed when it becomes a bridge between workers and businesses, contributing to building harmonious labor relations and retaining human resources in the context of increasingly large labor market fluctuations.
Talking to Lao Dong Newspaper, Mr. Nguyen Tien Hau - Chairman of the Trade Union of Hue Textile and Garment Joint Stock Company - said that in the textile and garment industry - a field with high labor competition, if businesses only implement regimes according to regulations, it is not enough to retain workers for a long time.
According to Mr. Hau, grassroots trade unions currently not only perform the task of representing but also closely coordinate with businesses to maintain periodic dialogues, listen to workers' thoughts from very practical issues such as income, quality of meals, working hours, maternity benefits or pressure to take care of young children to promptly put into negotiation and improve policies.
For our Trade Union, to make workers feel secure and attached for a long time, the important thing is not only the care regimes but also the care, listening and positive working environment" - Mr. Hau shared.
From the coordination between businesses and trade unions, many practical care policies have been implemented. In addition to mandatory regimes according to regulations, workers at Hue Textile and Garment Company are also supported in cases of sudden difficulties, serious illnesses, accidents; are rewarded and given gifts on holidays and Tet; have periodic health check-ups, visits and vacations, and participate in cultural and sports activities to improve spiritual life.
In particular, with the characteristic that female workers account for a large proportion, grassroots trade unions and businesses pay much attention to workers during pregnancy and raising young children. Not only fully implementing regulations, businesses also arrange milk extraction and storage rooms; more flexible in arranging postpartum work; visiting female workers giving birth and organizing many activities to care for workers' children such as scholarships, commending excellent students or gifts on International Children's Day and Mid-Autumn Festival. According to Mr. Hau, what workers need today is not only income but also a safe working environment, respected and with a balance between work and family.
Attracting human resources thanks to increased benefits and reduced pressure
Along with the textile and garment industry, many electronics businesses are also showing a strong shift in thinking about caring for workers, with the prominent companion role of trade union organizations.
Mr. To Dinh Kien - Chairman of the grassroots Trade Union of Kyocera Vietnam Office Technology Co., Ltd. - said that in the context of workers increasingly paying more attention to quality of life, businesses and trade unions have coordinated to implement many welfare policies that exceed the minimum requirements. Overtime meals have been increased from 27,500 VND to 32,000 VND; support flexible travel costs according to market fluctuations; support in-depth medical examination and treatment for workers; and maintain gifts for holidays, Tet, annual tourism or cultural activities for the entire worker family such as the Kyocera Festival.
For female workers - a force that is increasingly accounting for a large proportion in electronics businesses today, many care policies are also being implemented in a more flexible and humane direction. Pregnant female workers are arranged for light work, arranged suitable shifts, additional support for snacking or allowances; workers raising young children are prioritized for flexible leave when their children are sick or need health care.
Workers today not only care about income but also pay special attention to the balance between work and life, a low-pressure working environment as well as family support policies," Mr. To Dinh Kien shared.
Reality shows that when trade unions promote their role in accompanying businesses well, taking care of workers no longer stops at regimes and policies but becomes sharing and strong connection. From better meals, a safer working environment to timely support for female workers, workers in difficult circumstances or workers' families, these benefits are gradually building trust, helping workers feel secure in contributing, and at the same time contributing to building harmonious, stable and sustainable labor relations in accordance with the spirit of innovation and adaptation of the Vietnam Trade Union organization in the new period.
