Settling down in a "Trade Union Shelter"

BPO - After long hours of hard work in factories and enterprises, many workers still return to their cramped, makeshift homes that barely provide shelter from the rain and wind. Because of their meager wages and the ever-increasing cost of living, the dream of owning a home is becoming increasingly out of reach. Like a miracle, the "Trade Union Shelter" and "Great Solidarity House" programs, strongly implemented and spread by trade unions at all levels in Binh Phuoc province, have become a solid support for many worker families. This is also a practical activity to celebrate major national holidays and to respond to the Workers' Month, linked with the Action Month on Occupational Safety and Health in 2025.

Overwhelmed with joy

“Now that we have a house, I can work with peace of mind, take care of my two children's education, and no longer worry every time it rains or storms. My family is very grateful to the trade union,” said Mr. Trinh Quang Hoa from Hung Phuoc commune, Bu Dop district, unable to hide his emotion at the house handover ceremony on April 25th.

Officials from the Provincial Labor Union conducted a field survey of the living conditions of poor workers residing in temporary housing to include them in the list of those eligible for solidarity housing support in 2025.

The "Trade Union Shelter" program has helped Mr. Tran Van Phuoc's family (Dong Xoai City) to have a sturdy and spacious house.

The story of Mr. Hoa's dire circumstances brought many attendees to tears at the house handover ceremony. Mr. Hoa recounted that in 2020, he and his wife divorced, leaving him with two school-aged daughters. Adding insult to injury, he also suffered from severe asthma, forcing him to work as a security guard for a nearby company, earning just over 3 million VND per month. For many years, Mr. Hoa and his two daughters struggled to live in a rented house with a corrugated iron roof and dilapidated wooden walls.

Immediately after surveying the local poverty criteria, in early 2025, the Labor Union of Bu Dop district mobilized Mr. Hoa's family members to donate 50 square meters of land to him ^. At the same time, they submitted a proposal to the Provincial Labor Union requesting support to eliminate temporary and dilapidated housing for union members. Mr. Hoa's application was accepted by the Provincial Labor Union, which then mobilized the Binh Phuoc Provincial Lottery and General Services Company Limited to provide 80 million VND in support.

Welcoming the delegation of leaders from the Dong Xoai City Trade Union to supervise and inspect the final stages of preparation for the handover ceremony of the "Trade Union Shelter," Mr. Tran Van Phuoc from the Tan Binh Ward Trade Union, Dong Xoai City, said: "Due to misfortunes in business, my family lost our home and had to live in rented accommodation here and there. Thanks to 50 million VND from the trade union's social fund, along with the help of friends and relatives, my family has recently been able to rebuild a spacious home with an area of ​​105 square meters ^, at a total cost of 160 million VND. There is truly nothing happier than having a home to feel secure in old age. This is the motivation that drives me to be even more exemplary and responsible in my work and contribute to building the movement in the residential area."

The groundbreaking ceremony and handover of funds for the construction of solidarity houses for 5 disadvantaged working families was held. The entire cost was raised by the Provincial Labor Union and sponsored by the Binh Phuoc Provincial Lottery and General Services Company Limited.

The "Trade Union Shelter" program also reached Ms. Do Thi Huong, a single mother in Thanh Son hamlet, Thanh Binh town, Bu Dop district. Her family's main source of income was just a few dozen pepper plants, which withered and died due to pests and diseases. Meals were scarce, and they couldn't even dream of replacing their dilapidated wooden house with a sturdy, spacious one. Similarly, Ms. Thi Ha's family in Hamlet 2, Loc An commune, Loc Ninh district, is living in a makeshift shack only a few dozen square meters in size…

Each house tells a story, a situation intertwined with hardship, illness, and misfortune. These comfortable homes, built with the support of the trade union, have become a solid "lever" helping union members rise above poverty, build confidence, and find hope in escaping it.

Spread love

Building housing for union members and workers is one of the social welfare activities of the Binh Phuoc Provincial Labor Union. From the beginning of 2025, the Standing Committee of the Provincial Labor Union directed and guided grassroots labor unions to assess and survey the housing situation, living conditions, and income of union members and workers in order to develop plans to support the construction of "Union-sponsored homes" from social funds contributed by the union members themselves. The support level is 20 million VND per case for repairs and 50 million VND per case for new construction. As a result, 6 "Union-sponsored homes" have been donated to union members in difficult housing circumstances, totaling 265 million VND.

Vice Chairman of the Provincial Labor Union Nguyen Van Sang converses with households at the handover ceremony of solidarity houses in Bu Dop district on April 25.

The Solidarity House – where the dream of a secure home has become a reality for two poor working families in Loc An commune, Loc Ninh district.

Alongside social funding, trade unions at all levels have also proactively mobilized businesses, partners, and philanthropists to participate in and support the program. A prime example is the Binh Phuoc Provincial Lottery and General Services Company Limited, which recently provided support for 5 solidarity houses for workers and laborers facing housing difficulties in Loc Ninh and Bu Dop districts, totaling 400 million VND. “Choosing the trade union as a coordinating unit to entrust these solidarity houses reflects trust and a desire to spread the spirit of ‘mutual support and compassion’ to the right recipients, meeting the right needs, and contributing to the government’s goal of eliminating temporary and dilapidated housing,” said Mr. Tran Van Sang, Deputy Director of the Binh Phuoc Provincial Lottery and General Services Company Limited.

The "Trade Union Shelter" and "Great Solidarity House" programs are social activities with widespread impact, demonstrating the spirit of solidarity, mutual support, and helping those in need, and are widely supported by union members, workers, civil servants, and agencies and units in the province. Through acts of kindness and compassion, the "Trade Union Shelters" have helped many workers and laborers in difficult circumstances stabilize their lives and remain committed to their work in the long term.

To make the program increasingly effective and spread its humanitarian significance, in the coming time, the trade union will continue to closely coordinate with local authorities to review and expand the scope of support so that every disadvantaged union member can realize their dream of "settling down" and build confidence in a brighter future.

Vice Chairman of the Provincial Labor Union Nguyen Van Sang

Source: https://baobinhphuoc.com.vn/news/9/172281/an-cu-vung-nghiep-hanh-trinh-cua-nhung-mai-am-cong-doan