From judgment on paper to real money
In many labor disputes, employees may win the lawsuit in court, but the road ahead is truly arduous. The judgment declares that the enterprise must pay salaries, social insurance, severance allowances... but if judgment enforcement is delayed or encounters problems, employees (NLĐ) still have to continue waiting in weariness.
The case of 58 workers of Hoa Khanh Textile Joint Stock Company (Hoa Khanh Industrial Park, Da Nang) is a clear example. Since 2023, the enterprise has owed salaries, insurance and many allowances. Initially, 89 workers authorized the Da Nang City Labor Federation to sue. Over time, for various reasons, some people withdrew their applications, and the remaining 58 people persistently pursued to the end. And after nearly three years, the entire amount of more than 3.2 billion VND has been recovered, including: 1.83 billion VND in salary and 1.420 billion VND in social insurance debt. The insurance payment was made from mid-April 2024; the remaining salary and benefits were paid definitively on the evening of February 12, 2026.
That moment, for many workers and trade union officials, in addition to financial joy, is also a relief after a long journey full of worry. Mr. Huynh Thuyen - one of the workers who pursued the lawsuit from the beginning - shared: "We thought that money was lost. If it were not for the drastic, persistent, and tireless direction and support of officials at the Da Nang City Labor Federation, we workers certainly could not have demanded that money back ourselves." Mr. Huynh Thuyen's simple words are a thank you and recognition, and also reflect a reality: With complex legal disputes, each individual worker finds it very difficult to have enough knowledge, time and resources to protect themselves.
Strengthen trust
Reality shows that many prolonged labor cases are not due to lack of court rulings, but because the judgment enforcement stage encounters obstacles. Businesses may encounter financial difficulties, limited assets, or delays in fulfilling obligations. At that time, employees - who are already in a weak position - become even more tired. If there is no legally qualified representative organization and persistent pursuit to the end, it is very easy to fall into a situation of "winning" the judgment but "losing" because they do not receive money.
Mr. Le Van Dai - Standing Vice Chairman of Da Nang City Labor Federation - frankly acknowledged: In the early days, many workers were still hesitant and did not really believe that the trade union could reclaim their rights. He directly dialogued 2-3 times to listen to their thoughts, explain legal procedures and reassure workers.
After having the judgment and successful enforcement, brothers and sisters truly trust and continue to authorize the trade union," Mr. Dai said.
That perseverance has created a difference.Not only stopping at supporting lawsuits, the team of trade union officials also closely follows the judgment enforcement process, coordinates with functional agencies, completes legal dossiers, and ensures that court rulings are implemented in practice.In particular, the companionship of full-time officials such as Ms. Le Thi Ngoc Oanh and Mr. Le Thanh Cong Danh - who directly guide each dossier and participate in the proceedings - shows that the work of protecting workers' rights is not just a slogan, but a specific, meticulous and stressful task.
The greatest value from the case of 58 workers of Hoa Khanh Textile Joint Stock Company suing successfully is the belief being maintained and consolidated - not only for employees but also for the Trade Union organization. The clearest evidence is that 113 more Hoa Khanh Textile workers are continuing to send petitions requesting the Da Nang City Labor Federation to support the claim of rights and there are hundreds of other cases at businesses such as Minh Hoang II or Quang An being pursued by the trade union.
