In the last days of the year, when the busy pace of life gradually subsides to make way for homesickness and the desire for reunion, the self-managed worker boarding houses Kim Hong and Nguyen Long (My Tho Industrial Park, Dong Thap province) become bustling and warmer than usual. Not because of early buses returning to their hometowns, but because of the "Trade Union Year-end Meal" program organized by the Dong Thap Provincial Labor Federation right in the boarding house - a place familiar with the hurried footsteps after each shift.
In the simple space of the row of rented rooms, the tables are arranged neatly, the meals are prepared thoughtfully. No elaborate rituals, but the atmosphere is full of emotions. Laughter and chatter, sincere greetings make the small yard seem to light up in the afternoon near Tet.
For Ms. Huynh Thi Ngoc - a member of the grassroots Trade Union of TKG Taekwang Vina Joint Stock Company - My Tho Branch - this meal is of special significance. Three years of renting a room, raising two young children alone with a salary of about 7 million VND per month, she has become accustomed to saving every expense. In the days leading up to Tet, the burden becomes even heavier as living expenses increase.
This is the first time I have attended a meal organized by the Trade Union right in my hometown. Being visited, encouraged and gathered like this, I feel my heart warm again, somewhat relieved of worries," Ms. Ngoc emotionally shared.
Working at TKG Taekwang Vina Joint Stock Company - My Tho Branch, Ms. Tran Ngoc Huyen (from Can Tho) also carries the feelings of a worker far from home. Her husband works as a worker in Ho Chi Minh City, because of making a living, the couple has to work in two different places.
Receiving Tet gifts, having a meal in a friendly atmosphere, singing spring songs together, I feel like I am in a big family," Ms. Huyen expressed.
Mr. Tran Van Hanh - a worker at Song Tien Garment Joint Stock Company - said that the program is especially meaningful for workers who cannot return to their hometowns early. "The support gift is very precious, but what we cherish more is that the Trade Union leaders come to visit and listen. That concern adds motivation for us to feel secure in working and sticking together for a long time," Mr. Hanh said.
Not only workers feel warmth, Mr. Pham Van Hai - owner of Kim Hong boarding house - is also happy that his boarding area has become a connecting point for sharing in the last days of the year. For many years, he has always supported workers with small Tet gifts such as sugar, MSG, cooking oil... worth more than 200,000 VND/gift, contributing to sharing costs for workers.
At the program, leaders of the Dong Thap Provincial Labor Federation directly visited, presented gifts and sent Tet greetings to union members and workers. Sincere words of encouragement not only acknowledged the efforts to overcome difficulties over the past year, but also affirmed the companionship of the Trade Union organization in the journey of caring for and protecting the legitimate and lawful rights and interests of workers.
In the warm yellow lights of Kim Hong boarding house, amidst year-end stories and the rustic singing sounds echoing, spring seems to have come earlier - the spring of sharing and faith in the land of Pink Lotus.
