People who are still in difficulty
One of the most painful memories, which I still cannot forget, is the rock mine landslide that occurred in January 2016 in Yen Lam commune, former Yen Dinh district (now Quy Loc commune, Thanh Hoa province). At that time, Tet Nguyen Dan was only a few days away, but 8 workers - the stone miners - could never return to reunite with their families. Among them, there were 6 people from the same hometown in a poor mountainous commune of the province.
When I arrived at the scene, the gloomy scene covered the whole area, rescue work for workers faced countless difficulties. The lucky survivors sat quietly in the corner of the shack, their eyes were lost, tears streaming down. I asked them about life, about Tet wishes. Some people just remained silent, wiped away tears with their rough hands, then choked up and said: "We work as hired laborers, away from home all year round, no matter how hard it is, we can endure it, just hoping for a little money for Tet to buy our children a new set of clothes, wrap banh chung, burn incense on the ancestral altar. Now...".
That pain did not stop at the stone mine scene, but also spread to the poor countryside, where 6 stone miners died and lived.When the bad news came, a mournful atmosphere enveloped every small alley.The roofs that were prepared for a reunion Tet, now only had heartbreaking cries.
Also during the working journey, I encountered many examples of overcoming difficulties that made me silent in admiration.Ms. Nguyen Thi Hoa, 42 years old, in Hoang Thanh commune, Thanh Hoa province, is one of them.For more than a decade, she has been the pillar of a family of 5 people suffering from dangerous diseases: her husband, two young children and both parents-in-law are chronically ill.
I came to her family in the late afternoon. At that time, she had just finished work, carrying a few bundles of vegetables and a few eggs home. In a small house built thanks to the "Union member support fund" of the Thanh Hoa Provincial Labor Federation with the help of philanthropists, she still could not hide her constant worry. Almost all the meager income from work as a worker was spent on medicine and meals for her two children. In her spare time, she took advantage of taking on extra work, doing whatever she was hired to do, even raising chickens and ducks to improve meals. "I know my strength is limited, but I am still healthy. If I let go, no one in the family can bear it," she said, her eyes red.
Ms. Hoa's story makes me deeply understand one thing: behind each worker is a whole family, are lives that cannot be simply measured by monthly salary or shifts. And it is from those trips, from those tears and even those smiles full of willpower like that, that I understand more clearly the role of the Trade Union organization - the place to shelter, support and promptly lift up those who are struggling in their livelihoods.
Going all night to pick up workers
In many years of attachment to trade union levels and workers in Thanh land, I have had the opportunity to witness and accompany countless practical care activities. From warm trade union meals, meaningful train trips taking workers home for Tet, to hasty meals in poor rented rooms... All of these help me understand more deeply about the enthusiasm of trade union officials and the feelings and aspirations of union members and workers.
Every Tet holiday, spring comes, I understand even more through the bustling trade union fairs, discount stalls, and meaningful Tet gifts. Having the opportunity to go to the production workshop with trade union officials, eat rice with workers in the middle of the shift, I understand more about the actual needs that workers need - thereby contributing a voice to protect their rights and legitimate demands for them.
An unforgettable memory is that on the occasion of Tet Quy Mao 2023, I and the Thanh Hoa Labor Federation delegation went to Tho Xuan airport to welcome workers from southern provinces. Although the flight was delayed, we still patiently waited, feeling the dedication of trade union officials. When the flight landed, joy burst out, I witnessed the joyful faces of workers and relatives welcoming.
Like previous years, I am often present at Thanh Hoa station to welcome workers back to their hometowns. Here, the smiles and bouquets of fresh flowers from trade union officials have warmed everyone's hearts. Through each trip, I witness both the difficulties and the will of workers. The resilient stories, tired eyes, tears mixed with laughter on Tet night make me deeply understand and write to spread kindness.
Over many years following trade union officials and workers, I have realized that wherever they are, workers are always respected, because there are always companions who protect them every day. Overnight trips, simple meals, everyday stories - all are proof of the dedication of trade union officials, of the spirit of solidarity and sharing between people.
Those companion trips are not just a working task. For me, it is also a journey of understanding, an opportunity to record each feeling, each hardship of workers, to tell readers that after tiring working shifts are simple dreams, a desire to live and contribute in a fair and respected environment.
And then, when leaving the station or leaving the scene of the incident, I carried in my heart not only images, but also human love, deep sympathy for fates. Those night trips, those warm meals, and even tears mixed with smiles – all have become the most precious part of my professional memory.
In my eyes, trade union officials are not only managers, but also silent companions, a solid support for workers, a bridge between dreams, rights and fairness in labor. And I, as a reporter, am fortunate to witness and retell those stories, always telling myself: journalism is not only a writing profession, but also a profession of listening, sympathizing and spreading kind values.
