“Union Shelter” Program: Realizing the dream of settling down for union members

House of love

A few days ago, we had the opportunity to visit the family of Ms. Le Thi Huyen (born in 1983), a teacher at Lien Bao 1 Kindergarten. Before our eyes was a spacious house with an area of over 70 square ^meters . Recalling the past months, Ms. Huyen did not believe that she could overcome the difficulties of life. Her husband was originally a healthy person with a stable job, but unfortunately he had a traffic accident, so his health was unstable, and the cost of treatment took away almost all of the savings of the couple. With a small salary, she had to steer the family "boat", taking care of her husband, her elderly parents and three school-age children.

Representatives of the Provincial Labor Federation presented funding to support the construction of a "Union Shelter" for Ms. Mai Thi Men, a worker at Ha Thanh Fashion Joint Stock Company, Hoang Van Commune.

Understanding her situation, the Board of Directors of Lien Bao 1 Kindergarten created conditions for her to have time to work in the fields and gardens, but life was still difficult. The most worrying thing was that the level 4 house was becoming more and more dilapidated and shabby during the rainy and sunny seasons. In that situation, the Provincial Labor Federation used the "Union Shelter" Fund to support 50 million VND; local organizations, relatives and colleagues provided more money, working days and construction materials. Ms. Huyen shared: "The attention and support of trade unions at all levels is a great encouragement, urging me to complete my professional tasks well and raise my children to grow up."

Living in a new house funded by the Provincial Labor Federation to build a house a few months ago, Ms. Bui Thi Anh (born in 1986), residing in Ho Son 1 village, Bao Dai commune, a member of the Newwing Interconnect Technology Limited Liability Company (Van Trung Industrial Park) union could not hide her joy. A few years ago, her family was considered a poor household. Her husband was often sick and unable to work; her two children were still young, so the family's economic conditions were very difficult. All family expenses depended on her salary as a worker. For many years, her family lived in a dilapidated house that was not safe. Knowing that she was supported by the labor union to build a house, businesses, friends, and relatives donated money, materials, and labor to complete the house soon. Last April, the project was completed, and she had a place to "settle down" and work with peace of mind. It is known that the new house has an area of nearly 100 ^m2 , the total construction cost is about 600 million VND. Of which, the "Union Shelter" Fund supported 40 million VND; the Union of Newwing Interconnect Technology Limited Liability Company ( Bac Giang ) helped 5 million VND. At the time of handing over the house, the local government and organizations gave the family many essential items.

Care, share

Implementing the initiative of the Vietnam General Confederation of Labor to help union members in poor, near-poor and disadvantaged households improve their housing, since the end of 2008, the Provincial Federation of Labor has established the "Union Shelter" Fund; grassroots unions have actively promoted the movement so that all cadres, union members, workers and civil servants in agencies, units and enterprises deeply understand the humane meaning of the movement. With the spirit of "mutual love", after nearly 17 years of implementation, up to now, from the "Union Shelter" Fund, 640 union members' families in difficult circumstances have received financial support to build new and repair houses; the total amount is nearly 17.9 billion VND. The average support level is from 25-50 million VND/household, depending on each case. Since the beginning of 2025, the Provincial Federation of Labor has supported the construction of 52 houses for union members in difficult circumstances and poor and near-poor households with a total cost of more than 7.7 billion VND. Of these, 35 houses were supported under the province's temporary and dilapidated house elimination program (support level of 60 million VND/house); the rest are charity houses for union members.

Not only receiving contributions from union members, the program also creates a spreading effect, mobilizing resources from agencies and businesses, supporting with money, materials, and working days to help workers stabilize their lives. Some typical units with many contributions to the "Union Shelter" Fund are: Golden Heart Fund (Labor Newspaper), Vietnam Chemical Group, Ha Bac Fertilizer and Chemical Joint Stock Company, Ha Bac Garment Export Joint Stock Company... For example, Intermax Vietnam Limited Liability Company, Ngoc Thien Commune - a 100% Korean-owned enterprise with many practical activities. The enterprise has been operating in the garment sector since 2015, currently creating stable jobs for more than 1,100 workers with an average income of 10 million VND/person/month. Ms. Pham Thi Hanh, Chairwoman of the Company's Trade Union, said: Determining that workers are "valuable assets", ensuring jobs, income, and taking care of life is the top goal of the enterprise. Therefore, for many years, the trade union has proposed to the board of directors to maintain a "mutual support fund". For each specific case, especially workers in sudden distress, whose houses are degraded and cannot be renovated, the trade union executive board has called for support. Thereby helping union members reduce difficulties and increase motivation to work.

Through a survey in the province, there is still a large number of union members, mainly workers of enterprises and preschool teachers, who have family members who are sick, ill or unemployed, so they do not have the conditions to renovate their houses even though the old buildings have deteriorated. However, they are not eligible for housing improvement support programs from the Government or humanitarian organizations. According to Mr. Thach Van Chung, Chairman of the Provincial Federation of Labor, in order for union members and workers to feel secure in promoting their intelligence and professional capacity, completing their tasks well, and developing their family economy, helping them have a place to "settle down" is of great significance. In the coming time, the Provincial Federation of Labor will continue to promote propaganda and mobilize a large number of workers, civil servants, employees in enterprises, and kind-hearted individuals to actively participate in building the "Union Shelter" Fund. At the same time, effectively manage and operate the fund; Do a good job of reviewing, evaluating, and making lists to support the right subjects, ensuring objectivity, transparency, and motivating workers to overcome difficulties and rise up.

Article and photos: Tuong Vi

Source: https://baobacninhtv.vn/chuong-trinh-mai-am-cong-doan-hien-thuc-hoa-giac-mo-an-cu-cho-doan-vien-postid424389.bbg