Sharing with reporters when she just entered the Mausoleum to pay respects to President Ho Chi Minh, Ms. To Thi Ai said that she was still euphoric and touched by the solemn atmosphere and many emotions.
Ms. Ai said that for the first time attending the Vietnam Trade Union Congress with 7 union members and trade union officials of the Lang Son Provincial Labor Federation, she was both nervous and had many expectations for innovative policies in caring for and protecting workers.
I expect the 14th Vietnam Trade Union Congress to be an opportunity for the entire system to look back, be proud and send great expectations for a new term with stronger and more breakthrough policies. Representing the voice and thoughts of union members and workers, I hope the 14th Congress will be a milestone marking the comprehensive transformation of the trade union organization, especially in realizing practical care policies and protecting the legitimate rights of workers at the grassroots level," Ms. Ai said.
According to Ms. Ai, her biggest expectation for this Congress is that the Vietnam General Confederation of Labor will continue to have drastic directions, improve the capacity and position of grassroots trade unions in dialogue, negotiation and signing of collective labor agreements (LCAs). This is the root, the supreme "legal weapon" to protect workers.
I hope that in the next term, collective labor agreements will no longer be formalistic, but must be substantive with more clauses that are more beneficial to workers than the provisions of the law, focusing on core issues such as salaries, bonuses, meals and safe working conditions. When rights are guaranteed by solid commitments, workers will truly feel secure in attachment and consider the Trade Union organization as the most reliable support," Ms. Ai emphasized.
In addition to protection work, Ms. Ai also expects the 14th Congress to orient a profound innovation in the method of organizing patriotic emulation movements launched by trade unions. Emulation movements need to be designed flexibly, reducing administrativeity, closely following the specific production and business characteristics of each type of enterprise. Emulation must be associated with timely commendation, worthyly honoring initiatives from the actual flow of direct workers. From there, strongly arouse the spirit of responsibility, aspiration to contribute, turning emulation into an intrinsic driving force to help businesses develop sustainably and make positive contributions to the overall socio-economic development of the country.
