Building models from practice
On August 5, in an exchange with a reporter from Lao Dong Newspaper, Ms. Trinh Thi Hoa - Vice President of the Thanh Hoa Provincial Labor Federation (LĐLĐ) - said that currently labor relations at enterprises are increasingly diverse, and many issues arising related to wages, labor contracts, working hours, social insurance, safety, and occupational hygiene. Meanwhile, a part of workers are still limited in accessing the law, do not firmly grasp their rights or are confused when their legitimate rights and interests are affected.
From the above reality, the Thanh Hoa Provincial Labor Federation determined that building a network of trade union legal advisory groups close to the grassroots level and close to workers is necessary. The model both helps promptly answer problems and contributes to building harmonious, stable and progressive labor relations.
According to the Vice Chairman of Thanh Hoa Provincial Labor Federation, the legal advisory group should not only perform simple advisory tasks but also gradually become an "extended arm" of the Trade Union organization at the grassroots level; be the core force in grasping the situation of workers, supporting dialogue, preventing disputes and protecting the legitimate rights of workers.
The team of consultants not only receives and answers problems but also has to closely follow businesses, residential areas, and workers' boarding houses to listen to the thoughts and aspirations of workers.
Currently, in the province, there is still a situation of enterprises owing social insurance for a long time, greatly affecting the rights of workers. Therefore, when there is a legal advisory group at the enterprise, with advisors who are proficient in nghiệp vụ, the group will be more proactive in detecting signs of violations, monitoring the implementation of policies and supporting workers to ensure legitimate rights and interests" - Ms. Hoa shared.
Also according to a representative of the Thanh Hoa Provincial Labor Federation, in the past time, many grassroots trade unions in enterprises have launched the "Law Advisory Group" model. Initially, the model has brought practical efficiency, becoming a fulcrum for workers, a bridge between workers and enterprises and related agencies; contributing to protecting rights, preventing disputes and building stable and sustainable labor relations.
Legal support for workers
Ms. Trinh Thi Nguyet - Chairwoman of the Trade Union of Alena Vietnam Footwear Co., Ltd. - informed that, implementing the plan and direction of the Thanh Hoa Provincial Labor Federation, the unit has just launched the "Law Consulting Group" model for workers.
According to Ms. Nguyet, the establishment of a legal advisory group is one of the solutions to improve the quality of representation, care and protection of union members' rights in the context of increasingly diverse labor relations.
Our goal is not only to answer questions about the law but also to help workers gain more knowledge to protect their legitimate rights and interests. When workers understand the law, businesses implement the law correctly, and the Trade Union accompanies in the right role, labor relations will be more stable, harmonious, and sustainable," Ms. Nguyet assessed.
According to the Chairman of the Trade Union of Alena Vietnam Footwear Co., Ltd., reality shows that most of the problems of workers do not start from major disputes but often originate from very close issues such as benefits when quitting work, maternity benefits, overtime hours, social insurance or internal regulations of enterprises.
If these issues are consulted and explained fully and in accordance with regulations from the beginning, many cases can be resolved through dialogue, instead of developing into complaints or labor disputes.
Therefore, the legal advisory group for workers is not only a place to solve arising problems but also plays a role in preventing legal risks right at the enterprise.
Through propaganda, consulting and legal support, the model contributes to helping union members and workers improve their understanding of the law, proactively protect their rights; and at the same time support businesses to properly implement regulations, thereby building a harmonious, stable and sustainable working environment.
