Those are the affectionate words that the collective of school staff sent to Lao Dong Newspaper in a letter in the last days of May 2026.
In the process of working, Lao Dong Newspaper reporters realized that most school staff such as clerks, accountants, librarians, equipment, cashiers... play an important role, supporting school operations, helping teachers teach better. Although there are important and indispensable tasks in schools, in the past time, the lives of school staff have been very difficult. They are sad when they have to concurrently perform many tasks, but policies and income are still not satisfactory and they also do not receive preferential allowances.
That disadvantage seemed to be difficult to have a mechanism to remove. Lao Dong Newspaper intervened with hundreds of articles not only recording thoughts and concerns, but also proposing and recommending many policies on salary and allowance regimes to ensure the lives of "people who silently contribute to educational institutions".
On May 22, 2026, the Government issued Decree No. 182/2026/ND-CP stipulating the regime of professional preferential allowances for teachers, educational institution managers and educational support personnel working in public educational institutions. According to the decree, teachers are entitled to professional preferential allowances from 20 - 80%.
For the first time, educational support personnel (school staff) in public educational institutions are included in the category of enjoying preferential allowances according to the profession with an allowance level of 20%.
In the letter of thanks to Lao Dong Newspaper, school staff wrote: "We are representatives of school staff nationwide - the silent laborers behind the operation of each school. Today, when the recommendations on allowance regimes after 3 long years have initially brought results, the first person we think of and want to send our deepest gratitude to is Lao Dong Newspaper. Over the past 3 years, Lao Dong Newspaper has not only fulfilled its role as a mouthpiece, but has truly become a support, a "family member" of ours.
Another story, taking place in the northern mountainous region. In mid-July 2025, a lunch tray of workers in the highlands of Lao Cai shocked public opinion when a foreign object suspected of being like a maggot appeared. Without delay, Lao Dong Newspaper immediately intervened, connecting the cries for help of workers and functional agencies. Only a few hours later, the meal was replaced, the supplier was forced to explain, the kitchen was inspected, and workers were ensured safety.
Under the banner of Lao Dong Newspaper, there is the line: "The number one newspaper protects the rights of workers". This is not just a simple slogan but also the core value and mission of Lao Dong Newspaper, the agency of the Vietnam General Confederation of Labor.
On April 16, 2026, when visiting and working at Lao Dong Newspaper, Member of the Party Central Committee, Chairman of the Vietnam General Confederation of Labor - Nguyen Anh Tuan affirmed that Lao Dong Newspaper is one of the leading newspapers of the Vietnamese Revolutionary Press, always maintaining its position and prestige, being the voice of the Trade Union organization and protecting and caring for union members and workers. The newspaper has many investigative articles about violations in the implementation of regimes and policies for workers.
Chairman of the Vietnam General Confederation of Labor - Nguyen Anh Tuan also expressed his belief that with the solid foundation that has been built, Lao Dong Newspaper will continue to develop in the coming time and maintain its number 1 position in protecting workers' rights.
Dr. Ngo Tri Long - an economic expert, a close collaborator of Lao Dong Newspaper said: "When workers are owed social insurance by businesses, Lao Dong is the first press agency to publish the list, investigate carefully, analyze deeply, and create public pressure for functional agencies to intervene. When workers are forced to work overtime, without contracts, and have their rights suppressed, Lao Dong does not hesitate to "name" violating businesses. In recent years, when personal income tax policies, family deductions, and regional minimum wages became topical issues, Lao Dong has always been one of the first newspapers to state a clear and responsible viewpoint, standing on the side of salaried workers - the pillar of the economy but often not being properly concerned.
And writer Y Ban, spoke about Lao Dong Newspaper very briefly: "I see the "silent footprints" of Lao Dong Newspaper workers on the journey for the rights and dignity of workers in most journalistic works. Lao Dong Newspaper not only reports - but also fights. Not only reflects - but also accompanies. Not only writes about workers - but lives with them, with them and for them".
This August, Lao Dong Newspaper marks 97 years since the first issue was published (August 14, 1929), towards the 100th Anniversary, those who work for Lao Dong Newspaper today continue to inherit the legacy left by generations of fathers and brothers, are stronger in protecting the legitimate and lawful rights and interests of workers, and are decisive in the digital transformation process, applying technology to meet new trends.
On June 16, on the occasion of the 101st anniversary of the Vietnamese Revolutionary Press Day (June 21, 1925 - June 21, 2026), General Secretary and President To Lam met with 101 typical journalists who have won the National Press Award over the years. The General Secretary and President clearly stated that the press must stick to reality, respect the truth, and take the interests of the people as the starting point. Press agencies and journalists continue to spend more time for grassroots levels, for practical issues of people, businesses, and localities; promptly detect problems in policy implementation; reflect good models and good practices; speak out to protect honest people, people who dare to think and dare to do for the common good. A good journalistic work does not necessarily have to use "big words". The important thing is that the article reflects truth, is useful, responsible and touches on social issues that need to be solved.
The General Secretary and President also set out the requirement that the press must accompany the priority tasks of the country in the new era. The press needs to participate with a constructive spirit: Properly detect problems, reflect reality, analyze the causes correctly, and propose directions correctly. Criticism must be fair; encouragement must have a basis; struggle must be cautious, objective, not justifying, not discouraging those who are striving to innovate.
These are also the values and tasks that Lao Dong Newspaper continues to build and nurture to always "maintain glorious traditions" like the lyrics of traditional songs that will always resonate.
