Human resource quality and labor productivity play a central role
Previously, Vietnam's growth model mainly relied heavily on increasing investment capital scale, large labor, cheap labor, and expanding output.
Economic experts believe that the "old growth shirt" is becoming increasingly cramped, especially as the advantage of cheap labor is gradually disappearing as Vietnam deepens into the global value chain; the rate of productivity growth is still modest, while capital and resource resources are not a sustainable foundation for the future.
Talking to Lao Dong Newspaper, Mr. Bui Sy Loi - former Deputy Chairman of the National Assembly's Committee for Social Affairs (now the Social Affairs Committee) - said that 2026 is a pivotal time for a new development stage. Therefore, the requirement to build a high-quality labor force is becoming increasingly urgent, especially in the context of digital transformation, green transformation and innovation of growth models taking place deeply and widely globally.
Mr. Bui Sy Loi affirmed: "In this model, high-quality human resources play a central role. This is a force capable of transforming knowledge into specific products, services, and solutions, promoting innovation, increasing added value and creating long-term competitive advantages. Not only receiving technology, high-quality human resources are also creative subjects of new technology, new industries, and new management methods.
The foundation of the new growth model is to strengthen the use of science and technology and innovation to increase value in each product. This cannot be without the participation of workers, especially high-quality workers with high skills and the ability to apply technology to work.
Therefore, the Trade Union organization and employees not only play the role of beneficiaries but also active participants in the deployment and implementation of the new growth model. The Trade Union organization is always considered a system to protect the legitimate rights of employees. However, in the new context, trade unions are not only a unit protecting rights, but also play a role as a driving force to promote change and creativity among employees" - Mr. Bui Si Loi assessed.
In recent years, the Trade Union organization has promoted creative labor emulation movements, encouraging workers to propose initiatives, technical improvements, and improve work efficiency. This is an important factor contributing to promoting labor productivity in the new growth model.
The role of workers is not only reflected in productivity but also in maintaining social stability. When guaranteed wages, benefits and a safe working environment, workers will be assured to stick with, improve work quality and contribute more to the overall development of the economy.
Good labor, High productivity, Good income
On the foundation of the emulation movement "Good Labor, Creative Labor", in the next term, the Trade Union organization will focus on promoting the emulation movement "Good Labor, High Productivity, Good Income". This is not just changing the name of an emulation movement but aiming at the role of union members and workers.
The factor of increasing productivity is emphasized and the result is good income. The goal of changing the growth model is to improve the competitiveness of the economy, ensure people's lives, in which workers play both the role of contributors and the role of beneficiaries.
The draft Report of the Executive Committee of the Vietnam General Confederation of Labor (XIII term) at the XIV Congress of the Vietnam Trade Union, term 2026-2031 sets out heavy responsibilities for the Trade Union organization: "Participating in building a learning society, a lifelong learning movement, mobilizing union members and workers to study, improve their qualifications, professional skills, life skills, working style, adaptability, mastery of technology, become "Digital Citizens", "Digital Workers", "Digital Laborers" adapting to the Fourth Industrial Revolution. Proposing and coordinating the development of mechanisms and policies, implementing solutions to ensure sustainable employment for workers, participating in developing new and modern production forces, contributing to improving labor productivity. Consolidating and investing resources, improving the quality of training institutions of the Trade Union organization, actively participating in the process of training, retraining and improving skills for workers".
In the new context, caring for workers needs to be understood more broadly. Trade unions will strongly shift from caring in the direction of support to caring in the direction of development. Workers need to have access to vocational training programs, retraining, soft skills, digital skills, occupational safety skills, communication skills, personal financial management skills, and change adaptation skills. These are very practical skills, helping them not only work better but also live more proactively, confidently and safely.
The Trade Union organization has an advantage in improving skills and labor productivity thanks to being close and understanding the needs and difficulties of workers at the grassroots level. From there, the Trade Union can coordinate with businesses, vocational education institutions, and training centers to develop appropriate training programs.
To improve the quality of human resources, the Trade Union needs to better promote the role of a bridge between workers and businesses; between production needs and training programs; between state policies and workers' lives; between the aspiration to learn and specific learning opportunities.
In the new growth model, the role of the Trade Union organization must be further demonstrated. Effectively implementing the emulation movement "Good Labor, High Productivity, Good Income" is contributing to the country's development process.
