The heat of the fire in early July 2025 caused the Northwest land to evaporate, the air was thick and stifling to the point of suffocation. In that scene, Lao Dong Newspaper reporters were present at Muong Bang commune, the old Mai Son district, now Chieng Mung commune, Son La province - where dozens of workers are staying day and night at the construction site of the Nam Pan 5 Hydropower Project.
They set up temporary shelters by the stream, ate and slept on the spot, working continuously in poor conditions and in harsh weather. However, what makes workers upset is not only the scorching sun or the lackluster meals, but the prolonged delay in salary.
More than ten people in the water tunnel and sub-tunnel construction team have been allocated only 35 million VND since the beginning of the year, while they are owed more than 280 million VND, and are constantly threatened and fighting at the construction site. Despite repeated petitions to the contractor, all responses have fallen into silence.
With no other choice, the workers can only struggle to cling to a state of confusion and insecurity.
After receiving the information, Lao Dong Newspaper reporters quickly verified, collected evidence, and recorded opinions from many sides. The article " dispute over salary at Nam Pan 5 Hydropower Project" was published and attracted public attention. Immediately afterwards, local authorities stepped in and worked with the contractor and related parties. Within just 3 days from the date the newspaper was published, the contractor's representative contacted and paid the full amount of more than 250 million VND through bank transfer to the workers.
In a cramped hut temporarily built in the middle of the mountain, Mr. Dinh Van Xac - Captain of the water tunnel and the auxiliary tunnel construction team, choked up as he shared: "In the past few months, many brothers have had to borrow money, save every penny to send back to their hometowns to their families. We are just hired people, have no voice. The press is the one who speaks up to help us. If there is no access
timely meeting, I'm sure no one has received any money yet".
This is not the first time that workers have been "calculated for wages" thanks to the press. But each case once again affirms the irreplaceable role of honest journalists, committed, and taking the rights of workers as the guiding principle.
Behind each article are long trips, mud and sticky shoe, the evenings of blasting for news by weak lights in the countryside, and the perseverance to find the truth, even sometimes facing avoidance, even threats from some related benefactors.
Mr. Tong Duc Chien - Member of the Standing Committee of the Phu Tho Provincial Federation of Labor, affirmed: "The press is not only a communication task, but also a practical companion force in protecting the legitimate rights of workers.
Reports and investigations from the information front have helped the Trade Union organization have more grounds, more voice to make recommendations, and fight against violations of the Labor Law. There were times when the Union had not yet approached the incident, but the press had taken action very promptly and effectively.
