This is not the first time this proposal has been made. Over the years, the Trade Union organization has repeatedly proposed to gradually reduce normal working hours from 48 hours to 44 hours, moving towards approaching the general trend of many countries around the world.
This proposal to reduce working hours is made in the context of "Vietnam Trade Union accompanying the Government to improve labor productivity and achieve double-digit growth targets".
At first glance, many people may think that these are two contradictory goals. Because to achieve high growth, you have to work more, so reducing working hours will inevitably reduce labor productivity.
However, the core issue is not how many hours workers work each week but how much value they create in each working hour.
If businesses still use outdated technology and inefficient management processes, extending working hours will also be difficult to create a breakthrough in productivity.
Conversely, when technology is applied more strongly, vocational skills are improved and the working environment is improved, productivity can completely increase even when working hours are reduced.
Reality in production and business has also proven that improving labor productivity and reducing working hours can go hand in hand if there are appropriate solutions.
And one of the solutions to improve sustainable labor productivity, mentioned at the exchange and discussion of Prime Minister Le Minh Hung with delegates attending the 14th Vietnam Trade Union Congress, is to invest in people.
Workers now not only need wages but also stable housing, a safe working environment, better health care conditions, opportunities to study to improve skills and practical welfare policies.
A worker who has to live in a cramped rented room, always worried about living expenses, illnesses or arising loans, can hardly wholeheartedly focus on work.
Conversely, a worker with a stable life, well-trained and fully cared for will work more efficiently, more creatively and be more long-term attached to the business.
That is also the reason why at the exchange and discussion with the Prime Minister, many delegates strongly proposed on the issue of social housing, vocational training, digital skills, artificial intelligence application, and physical and mental health care for workers.
When workers are better cared for, work in a better environment and enjoy more worthy rewards from their contributions, they will create higher labor productivity.
And that is the most sustainable foundation for the double-digit growth target that the country is aiming for.
