National Assembly Delegate Ho Thi Minh discussed the draft revised Trade Union Law.

This morning, June 8th, the National Assembly held group discussions on the draft amended Law on Trade Unions. Speaking at the discussion session, delegate Ho Thi Minh, Deputy Head of the Ethnic Affairs Committee of Quang Tri province, agreed that amending the Law on Trade Unions is necessary because, after many years of implementation, the current Law on Trade Unions reveals several shortcomings and limitations in the face of new circumstances. Its scope of regulation is still narrow compared to the rapid and diverse development of the workforce and the need to improve the effectiveness of trade union activities.

Regarding regulations on the Vietnam Trade Union, delegates suggested that the drafting committee consider adding the right of "social criticism" of the Trade Union organization to this draft Law to align with the provisions of Article 4, Decision No. 217/QD-TW dated December 12, 2013, of the Politburo on the promulgation of the Regulations on supervision and social criticism of the Vietnam Fatherland Front and political and social organizations.

Regarding the right to establish, join, and operate trade unions, delegates agreed with Option 1, arguing that this option ensures the principles of voluntariness and democracy in trade union activities; it also stipulates a broader range of eligible members for membership in the Vietnam Trade Union compared to Option 2, including: "workers without employment relationships" and "workers who are foreign citizens working in employers within the territory of Vietnam".

According to the delegate, in reality there is a very large workforce of freelance workers, informal workers without labor contracts, without labor relations but have the need, desire and voluntarily join the trade union organization.

Along with the trend of international integration, the number of foreign workers in Vietnam is increasing. They need to be cared for and protected like other workers, and they also need to participate in activities, cultural events, arts, sports, and physical education organized by trade unions to improve their material and spiritual lives, create a sense of connection, sharing, and harmony.

Therefore, they should not be excluded from the common activities of the union, which will create inequality. If they have the need and desire, admitting them into the union will strengthen, expand the force to build a strong union.

National Assembly delegate Ho Thi Minh speaks at the discussion of the draft Trade Union Law (amended) - Photo: CN

Also through the trade union organization, the work of propagating and educating the law for foreign workers will be more convenient and practical.

Regarding the protection of trade union officials' rights, delegates expressed concern about the regulation stipulating that the executive committee of the grassroots trade union is responsible for protecting the rights of non-professional trade union officials in cases where they are unilaterally terminated from their employment contracts, dismissed, forced to resign, or transferred to other positions. They argued that grassroots trade union officials are employees hired, paid, and assigned tasks by their employers, and are therefore dependent on their superiors, making it difficult for them to frankly express dissenting opinions.

Therefore, the delegate proposed to remove the subject of the grassroots trade union executive committee and replace it with the subject of the superior trade union executive committee.

Therefore, the draft needs to be adjusted so that issues related to the personnel of the grassroots trade union executive committee require the agreement and opinion of the higher-level trade union. And since this is an independent organization, not dependent on the employer, their opinion will be more objective and comprehensive.

Regarding trade union finances, delegates suggested that the drafting committee consider stipulating that trade union funds contributed by non-state organizations and enterprises should be voluntary. Delegates explained that the current regulation of 2% of the wage fund used as the basis for social insurance contributions for employees of state agencies, organizations, and enterprises is appropriate.

However, for non-state organizations and businesses, voluntary contributions should be used. If mandatory, many organizations and businesses will either not establish or will not facilitate the operation of trade unions within their enterprises; the Vietnam General Confederation of Labor has agreed to set a ceiling on this amount.

On the other hand, to ensure consistency with the provisions of Clause 1, Article 6 of this draft Law, it stipulates that the organization of employees at enterprises joins the Vietnam Trade Union on the principle of voluntariness.

Cam Nhung

Source: https://baoquangtri.vn/dai-bieu-quoc-hoi-ho-thi-minh-thao-luan-ve-du-an-luat-cong-doan-sua-doi-186092.htm