Prioritize union members' interests
During 17 years of being involved in trade union activities, Ms. Nguyen Thi Ai - Chairwoman of the Trade Union of Sunjade Vietnam Shoes Co., Ltd. (Le Mon Industrial Park, Quang Phu Ward, Thanh Hoa) - has always been trusted by her colleagues and workers for her dedication and responsibility. After 13 years of holding the position of Chairwoman of the grassroots union, she has determined that her biggest goal is to wholeheartedly care for the legitimate and legal rights and interests of union members and workers.
Working as a union at a 100% foreign-invested enterprise is not easy, but Ms. Ai always proactively explores effective methods of operation. She persistently builds many models of legal propaganda that are close, lively, and suitable for workers' psychology. From 2018 to present, the company's trade union has organized 12 concentrated legal propaganda campaigns, attracting over 80,000 participants. These activities not only help employees and employers understand and comply with the law, but also connect feelings and share difficulties to stabilize production.
Currently, Ms. Ai is managing more than 10,600 union members - enough to see the responsibility and workload to be done.
"I always wonder how to improve the lives of union members, and increase income each year than the previous year, so I have studied the Labor Code, the Trade Union Law, and the Social Insurance Law with the Executive Committee of the Trade Union to negotiate and sign collective labor agreements with more favorable terms for employees" - Ms. Ai shared.
Thanks to the consensus of business leaders and the determination of the trade union, many welfare regimes have been significantly improved. Seniority allowances are adjusted from the lowest level of 80,000 VND/month to 150,000 VND/month, the highest level is from 250,000 VND/month to 800,000 VND/month. The position allowance for direct cadres has increased from the lowest level of VND 60,000/month to VND 300,000/month, the highest level is from VND 6 million to VND 7.1 million/month. Workers are supported with 15,000 VND/person/day for fuel and 20,000 VND/meal for shift meals.
Many initiatives to improve workers' welfare
Ms. Ai also added that every month, she and the company's trade union coordinate with the enterprise to visit and give gifts to 10 workers' families in difficult circumstances at a rate of 2 million VND/time, while maintaining the regulation on periodic salary increases for employees. These humane policies not only ensure material life but also create spiritual motivation, so that workers can stay with the enterprise for a long time.
As a union leader, Ms. Ai is always close and listens to the workers' thoughts. Every 3 months, she and the company's leaders organize direct dialogues, answer questions and resolve problems promptly. When problems arise, surprise dialogues are held immediately to resolve them. Thanks to that, many legitimate recommendations were met such as installing more ventilators and air conditioners at garment workshops and dining rooms; building a new entire toilet to serve essential needs. The working environment has gradually improved, labor relations are harmonious, and workers are assured of production.
With her tireless contributions, Ms. Nguyen Thi Ai has received many noble awards: Certificate of Merit from the Vietnam General Confederation of Labor, Provincial Federation of Labor, Certificate of Merit from the Trade Union of Nghi Son Economic Zone and Provincial Industrial Parks. In 2024, she was honored to be one of 95 outstanding union officials honored by the Thanh Hoa Provincial Federation of Labor on the occasion of the 78th anniversary of the founding of the Provincial Federation of Labor.
More than all titles, for Ms. Ai, the biggest reward is the trust of tens of thousands of union members and employees and the companionship and sharing of business leaders. It is the sense of responsibility, dedication and desire to protect workers' rights that has created the image of an exemplary female union leader, leaving a deep impression on workers.
