For many years, I have had to rent a room near the industrial park. The room is cramped, only enough to put a few essential items, daily life is very inconvenient. Because the conditions are too poor, even though I miss my children very much, I still don't dare to bring my 2 children to live with me.
What I want most now is for workers to have more opportunities to access social housing at more affordable prices. The policy of developing social housing for workers is very necessary, but in reality, the prices of some apartments are still high compared to workers' incomes.
With an apartment with 2 rooms, with enough minimum functions for the family to live in, the price of about 1 billion VND is still too large. Workers' income is mainly enough to cover food, rent, tuition for children and daily living expenses. To buy a house, we have to borrow a lot, we dare not take risks because we are afraid of not being able to pay.
I hope the Trade Union organization, businesses and competent authorities will continue to pay attention and have more practical support policies so that workers like us can buy a small house, stabilize our lives, live close to our children and feel secure in working for a long time.
Mr. Duong Van Kien (50 years old, railway barrier guard, belonging to Nghe Tinh Railway Joint Stock Company):
More than 30 years of working in the railway industry, the job of level crossing guard requires concentration, high responsibility, and regular shift work, but my monthly income is currently only about 11 million VND.
With this income level, family life is still difficult. Living expenses, stable housing, caring for and educating children and family and social relationships are increasing. Meanwhile, the specific nature of the work of railway workers is to ensure time and duty positions, and cannot work extra to increase income.
I hope the Trade Union organization and competent agencies will pay attention to and consider having a mechanism to adjust salaries and increase income so that railway workers in particular and workers in general can ensure their lives and feel secure in their profession.
In addition, I also hope that the Trade Union, businesses and the State will pay attention to investing in more cultural and sports facilities; organize more diverse cultural, artistic, and sports activities. Thereby, helping workers improve their spiritual lives and train their health after hard working hours.
Ms. Duong Thi Thoa (47 years old, employee of Tuoi Tho Kindergarten, under the Trade Union of Truong Vinh Ward, Nghe An Province):
My family is in difficult circumstances. My husband works as a freelancer, his job is unstable. The two children have grown up, of which the eldest daughter has graduated from the University of Literature and Education, currently teaching under contract at the center; the second son is in his 4th year at the University of Social Sciences and Humanities - Vietnam National University, Hanoi.
In addition to taking care of the children, my family also takes care of my 76-year-old mother-in-law, who is often sick, has no pension and raises an uncle who is sick and unable to work.
In September 2024, I was diagnosed with breast cancer. Since I got sick, I have always been encouraged, supported, shared work, and created conditions for rest, examination and treatment by colleagues, schools, and the Trade Union.
On holidays and Tet, the school and the Trade Union always care, give gifts, and support both materially and spiritually. Recently, I was supported with 1 million VND in the program "Gifts from the 14th Vietnam Trade Union Congress" awarded by the Nghe An Provincial Labor Federation.
I am very touched by that concern. I hope that the Trade Union will continue to be a solid support, actively supporting workers in difficult circumstances who unfortunately have accidents or serious illnesses.
