Focus on developing union members and building strong grassroots unions

In the context of the constantly fluctuating labor market, the role of the Trade Union (TU) is becoming increasingly important, especially in representing, caring for, and protecting the legitimate rights and interests of workers. In 2025, with the theme of "Focusing on developing union members; participating in building a clean and strong Party", the Tay Ninh Provincial Federation of Labor (FFL) identified the task of developing union members and establishing grassroots unions as key and urgent, contributing to building a strong Vietnamese Trade Union organization, meeting the requirements of socio-economic development in the new period.

Union members - the key strength of trade union organizations

Developing union members in the current period is not simply about increasing the number, but more importantly, it is a way for the Union to expand the scope of representation, strengthen collective strength, enhance its position and voice in protecting workers. When the number of union members is increasing, the Union organization has more power to dialogue, bargain collectively, participate in signing labor agreements, and monitor the implementation of policies and laws related to workers' rights.

Vice Chairman of the Provincial Labor Federation Nguyen Hoai Thanh (3rd from left) presented the Decision to establish the Trade Union of Ogawa Wellness Vietnam Co., Ltd., Long An Factory Branch.

In reality, in many non-state enterprises, workers are still disadvantaged in accessing welfare policies, improving working conditions or participating in emulation movements. When there is a trade union organization, they have more reliable support, a "bridge" to express their thoughts, aspirations and protect their legitimate rights. Therefore, developing union members is considered a "vital" task of the trade union, the foundation for the organization to continue to affirm its role in the political system and in social life.

In recent times, the Provincial Federation of Labor has implemented many synchronous solutions: strengthening propaganda and mobilizing workers; directly supporting enterprises in building the process of establishing grassroots unions; training and providing skills training for the mobilization committee. Thanks to the drastic participation, on September 18, 2025, the Provincial Federation of Labor established two new grassroots unions at Ogawa Wellness Vietnam Co., Ltd., Long An Factory Branch (Ben Luc commune) and Dai Tu Nhien PKG Co., Ltd. (An Tinh ward), admitting 266 union members. This is a clear demonstration of the continuous efforts in developing the union organization.

The influence of newly established grassroots unions

At Ogawa Wellness Vietnam Co., Ltd., Long An Factory Branch, the Provincial Federation of Labor announced the decision to admit 172 union members and recognized the Executive Committee and the Provisional Inspection Committee of the Trade Union. Ms. Dang Thi Hoai Cung is the Chairwoman of the Trade Union.

At the ceremony, Ms. Hoai Cung affirmed: “We promise to unite, unify, and together build an action program suitable to the actual situation of the enterprise, and perform well the duties and tasks entrusted to us by the collective of employees. The Executive Committee of the Trade Union will strive to fulfill the role of "bridge" between employers and employees, building a harmonious, stable and progressive labor relationship in the enterprise.”

Immediately after its establishment, the Executive Committee of the Trade Union of Ogawa Wellness Vietnam Co., Ltd., Long An Factory Branch, planned to focus on three key tasks: propaganda and development of more union members; coordinating with enterprises to take care of the material and spiritual life of employees; organizing emulation movements associated with production and business tasks. This is also the direction for the Trade Union to gradually affirm its role and create trust for employees in the enterprise.

Vice Chairman of the Provincial Labor Federation Nguyen Hoai Thanh (third from right) congratulated the Executive Board of the Trade Union of Dai Tu Nhien PKG Company Limited.

For Dai Tu Nhien PKG Company Limited, although it has only been in operation since July 2024 with 94 employees, the Trade Union Establishment Campaign Committee has promoted and mobilized employees to join the Trade Union. As a result, all workers voluntarily applied to join, agreeing to organize a Congress to establish the Trade Union. The Congress elected an Executive Committee of 3 members, of which Mr. Phuong Lac Thanh was elected as Chairman.

Mr. Lac Thanh shared: "We will strive to make the Trade Union truly a common home for workers, promoting its role in protecting rights, while creating motivation for workers to feel secure in sticking with and contributing to the enterprise."

Along with the affirmation, the Executive Committee of the Trade Union of Dai Tu Nhien PKG Company Limited has proposed a specific action plan with many practical contents: organizing labor conferences, participating in periodic dialogues; supervising the implementation of salary policies and insurance regimes; launching emulation movements "Good workers, creative workers", "Green, clean, beautiful - ensuring labor safety and hygiene",... Besides, the Trade Union pays attention to women's work, organizes cultural and sports activities, and takes care of workers' children on holidays and Tet.

Grassroots trade unions - a solid support for workers

Not stopping at establishing grassroots unions, the higher goal that the Provincial Federation of Labor aims for is to build strong grassroots unions, truly becoming a solid support for workers and accompanying businesses. To do so, in addition to efforts from the upper-level unions, each grassroots union must proactively innovate the content and methods of operation, closely connect with workers, and at the same time seek the support of business owners.

To do that, the newly established Trade Union Executive Committees clearly identified many solutions. These include promoting legal propaganda and education for employees, helping them understand the rights and obligations of union members; organizing emulation movements suitable to the characteristics of enterprises, encouraging creativity, contributing to improving labor productivity; taking care of employees' lives, from monitoring the implementation of regimes and policies to organizing cultural and social activities, building a friendly and cohesive working environment; improving the capacity of union officials, through professional training, building strict and scientific working regulations.

In addition, the Provincial Federation of Labor also strives to accompany and support new grassroots unions in their operations; organize training and share experiences so that grassroots union officials can gain more skills and effective methods, while promptly monitoring and guiding grassroots unions to operate in the right direction and promote their practical roles.

The establishment of new grassroots trade unions in enterprises contributes to creating positive effects, spreading the spirit of solidarity among workers and laborers and affirming the efforts of trade union organizations in expanding the network and developing union members. This is an important step, contributing to bringing the Resolution of the 13th Congress of Vietnam Trade Unions and the resolutions of the Vietnam General Confederation of Labor into life, effectively implementing the goal "Where there are workers, there are trade unions".

In the coming time, with a clear and specific motto of action, the Provincial Federation of Labor will continue to promote the work of developing union members and establishing grassroots unions, especially in non-state enterprises. This is not only a target-based task but also a long-term strategy to build a strong union organization, a reliable support for workers./.

An Nhien

Source: https://baolongan.vn/chu-trong-phat-trien-doan-vien-xay-dung-cong-doan-co-so-vung-manh-a203061.html