Trade unions are innovating their efforts to care for and develop healthcare human resources.

In the context of the healthcare sector facing unprecedented challenges, especially after the Covid-19 pandemic and in the process of reforming the healthcare system, caring for and protecting the legitimate rights and interests of workers has become a key task.

In practice, the Vietnam Health Workers' Union has clearly affirmed its role as a solid support and companion for healthcare workers nationwide, contributing to maintaining the role of the "frontline force" in the cause of caring for and protecting people's health.

Providing practical and timely support amidst numerous pressures.

Healthcare workers are a unique workforce, often working in stressful, high-intensity environments with numerous potential risks to their health, mental well-being, and occupational safety. In recent years, along with the demand for improved healthcare services, doctors, nurses, and other medical staff have faced many challenges, such as overload pressure and personnel shortages in many facilities, especially at the grassroots level.

In response to this situation, the Vietnam Health Workers' Union has implemented a comprehensive range of solutions to care for the material and spiritual well-being of its members and workers. Support activities have been carried out promptly and targeted appropriately, especially during the peak period of epidemic prevention and control and the post-epidemic period, when many healthcare workers were exhausted, their incomes decreased, and their lives became increasingly difficult.

A union meal for union members and employees of the National Institute of Hematology and Blood Transfusion. Photo: Vietnam Medical Trade Union.

From 2023 to the present, thousands of union members have received visits and support in the form of cash, essential goods, and personal protective equipment; many cases of serious illness, occupational accidents, and particularly difficult circumstances have received timely attention and assistance from trade unions at all levels, contributing to helping workers stabilize their lives and feel secure in their work.

Another activity that has been effectively implemented is the negotiation and signing of collective labor agreements. This activity has been given special attention by the Vietnam Health Workers' Union, especially in non-state-owned enterprises. As a result, 98% of grassroots trade unions in the enterprise sector have signed collective labor agreements with many clauses more favorable to workers.

The Vietnam Health Workers' Union has also signed more than 31 cooperation agreements, joint activity programs, and member welfare programs, creating opportunities for 11,397 union members and workers in the industry to receive discounts ranging from 15% to 75% when using services and products from partner companies.

Besides caring for the material well-being and rights of its members, the Vietnam Health Workers' Union places special emphasis on improving the spiritual lives of its members and workers. Many cultural, artistic, sports , sightseeing, and recreational activities, such as "Workers' Month," "Tet Reunion," and "Union Shelter," are organized in a practical manner, tailored to the specific conditions of the industry.

Caring for spiritual well-being, fostering trust and connection.

Mr. Nguyen Luong Tam, Chairman of the Vietnam Health Workers' Union, stated that the 2025-2030 term is of great importance to the union's activities. To continue promoting its role, the Vietnam Health Workers' Union has identified three key breakthroughs.

The first breakthrough is to focus resources on effectively fulfilling the task of caring for, representing, and protecting the legitimate rights and interests of union members and workers. The focus is on effectively implementing grassroots democracy; strengthening dialogue, negotiation, signing, and implementing collective labor agreements, especially those related to working conditions, benefits, and wages.

The second breakthrough is the effective development and implementation of emulation movements, focusing on the movement "Innovation and breakthroughs in the work of caring for, protecting, and improving the health of the entire population, aiming for the satisfaction and trust of the people" and the program "Vietnam Health Trade Union accompanies for the health of union members and workers".

The third breakthrough is to promote innovation and accelerate the application of digital transformation in trade union activities, especially in finance, membership management, and the provision of trade union welfare services.

Dr. Nguyen Luong Tam further stated that, in order to achieve the set targets, the Vietnam Health Workers' Union will propose many solutions, including focusing resources on better fulfilling the task of representing, caring for, and protecting the legitimate rights and interests of union members and workers; innovating the work of propaganda and mobilization of union members and workers; and strengthening communication and building the image of the Union organization.

Along with that, the quality of emulation movements will be improved, and the reward and recognition system will be reformed to encourage union members and workers to promote innovation in content and form, closely adhering to practical needs and the tasks of the industry. The Vietnam Health Workers' Union will focus on developing new members and establishing grassroots unions in the private health sector and non-state enterprises, striving to increase union membership by at least 1,000 members each year.

Source: https://hanoimoi.vn/cong-doan-doi-moi-cong-tac-cham-lo-de-phat-trien-nguon-nhan-luc-y-te-728368.html