Funding needed to take care of employees
After Typhoon Yagi, up to now, the life of Mr. Trinh Van Thai (worker in the Sole Pressing Department of Aurora Vietnam Shoe Industry Co., Ltd.) has stabilized. Mr. Thai's family was in difficult circumstances, and his house was severely damaged after the storm. Immediately after learning about his situation, the company and the union visited and provided timely support. Of which, the company supported 10 million VND, the union supported 5 million VND to help him quickly overcome difficulties and stabilize his life.
According to the company's union representative, with 75% of union revenue and 60% of union dues collected annually, the union takes care of more than 6,000 union members and employees. In particular, it promptly encourages and supports union members in difficult circumstances, with serious illnesses, and those affected by natural disasters, storms and floods...
Similarly, at Bluecom Vina Company Limited (Trang Due Industrial Park - Hai Phong), the grassroots union spends money to take care of union members and employees from two sources: 75% from union funds and 60% from union fees.
However, the main source of income is from union funds because the revenue from union fees is not much (the company currently collects 20,000 VND/union member/month). "Therefore, I support maintaining 2% of union funds to have stable resources, proactively take care of union members, and strengthen the position and role of the union with employers and employees" - Mr. Tu said.
Mr. Nguyen Anh Tuan - Chairman of Hai Phong City Labor Federation - affirmed that Hai Phong City Labor Federation allocates, manages and uses financial resources associated with representing, protecting the rights and interests of union members and workers, ensuring 2% of union funds to best serve workers.
On the occasion of the upcoming Lunar New Year, the Hai Phong City Labor Federation will spend VND8 billion from the union's financial resources to give 3,000 gifts worth VND1,000,000 each (total cost of VND3 billion), give 10,000 bus tickets to workers far from home (distance of 150km or more), each ticket worth VND300,000, and give 4,000 Tet gift bags to union members and workers participating in the Tet Sum Vay 2025 Program at all levels of the Union, worth VND500,000/gift bag. Compared to last year, the budget for taking care of Tet for workers in 2025 from the union's financial resources has increased by nearly VND1 billion.
Support for exemption and reduction of union fees for disadvantaged units
Along with maintaining 2% of trade union fees, the Trade Union Law (amended) adds a new provision to consider exemption, reduction or suspension of trade union fees in case the enterprise encounters difficulties due to natural disasters, fires, epidemics and has to temporarily suspend production and business, leading to the inability to pay trade union fees.
Agreeing with this content, according to Ms. Nguyen Thi Huong - President of Tien Lang District Labor Federation, from the reality of the COVID-19 epidemic, causing many businesses to face prolonged difficulties or recently, Typhoon Yagi also caused thousands of billions of VND in damage to businesses in the city. Therefore, supporting businesses to exempt or postpone union fees during difficult times is a necessary and important policy, demonstrating the most practical concern and sharing of the Trade Union organization with businesses.
"With this humane regulation, businesses will also better comply with paying union fees as well as support and facilitate the activities of trade unions at the grassroots level," said the Chairman of the Tien Lang District Labor Federation.
The company representative, Mr. Cao Chi Cuoi - Chairman of the Board of Directors of CNC Gia Nghia Company (Vinh Bao district) - said that the company is currently strictly complying with the payment of 2% of the union fund for employees and supports the collection of 2% of the union fund for the Union to take care of employees.
“Encountering difficulties due to natural disasters, fires, epidemics, etc. is something that no business wants. However, if a business encounters difficulties, the government's attention to deferring taxes, exempting, reducing or suspending union fees will also be a great encouragement for the business, helping the business to quickly recover production and business, ensuring jobs and income for employees,” said a representative of the company's leadership.
