For 3 days from October 1-3, Nghe An Provincial Labor Federation coordinated with Nghe An Guest House to organize a "Union Meal" for 300 workers of Nghe An Urban Environment Company.
This is a very practical and timely activity of Nghe An Provincial Federation of Labor to encourage workers who are struggling to overcome the consequences of storms and floods, ensure smooth traffic, maintain hygiene, urban landscape...
Union Meal organized during storms and floods like this shows real care, as recently directed by the Vietnam General Confederation of Labor, which is to limit outstanding activities but focus mainly on directly caring for union members and workers.
The "Union Meal" program was first held in July 2023. This is an initiative of the leaders of the Vietnam General Confederation of Labor to help trade unions at all levels better care for the material and spiritual life, while aiming to build long-term welfare programs for union members and workers.
This program also helps build a united and close relationship between union members and the Trade Union organization, between employees and employers, while helping employees feel secure in their work, production and long-term attachment to the enterprise.
The problem is that for the past few years, the "Union Meal" program has been organized in an appointed manner. Typically, local Labor Federations and enterprises only organize during the annual "Workers' Month" in a phased manner, which is a movement, not a year-round organization.
Therefore, Nghe An Provincial Labor Federation's organization of "Union Meal" for 300 workers of Nghe An Urban Environment Company these days is still a breakthrough and flexible way of doing things.
Remember in September 2024, the Dong Nai Provincial Federation of Labor - one of the localities that can be said to be the best in the country in implementing the "Union Meal" proposed the Vietnam General Confederation of Labor, proposing that the "Union Meal" should be organized more regularly, especially on the occasion of the country's major holidays, Vietnam Trade Union Day, Workers' Month, Labor Safety and Hygiene Action Month... so that workers can enjoy more.
This proposal is receiving support from workers and Labor Federations of localities across the country.
However, the reality of organizing "Union Meals" in localities in recent times shows that before being organized regularly, it is necessary to "cover" the situation widely.
Especially how to make units and enterprises have a large number of workers, difficult conditions but all workers enjoy the "Union Meal".
Another problem is that currently, the "Union Meal" program is being organized in the form of: Value of the "Union Meal" meal = value of the daily meal of the enterprise taking care of employees + added value from union financial resources + added value from other socialized sources (if any).
The added value from trade union financial resources, for example in Da Nang in 2025, is 30,000 VND/meal. The added value from other socialized sources (if any), often additional support from the enterprises themselves or the source of the grassroots Trade Union, can be said to be "dependent".
Therefore, ideally, to replicate and organize regular "Union Meals", especially in enterprises, this program needs to be recommended and proposed by competent authorities to be included in the Collective Labor Agreement for negotiation to get a stable funding source.
