Allocate resources to care for workers.

The 2026 Workers' Month showcased many initiatives by grassroots trade unions, such as supporting the construction of "Trade Union Shelters," awarding seniority bonuses, providing free medical check-ups, and offering digital skills training, all aimed at genuinely caring for the workforce, a crucial element of the economy, who are both creators of material wealth and targets of social development.

Practical resources

Ms. Nguyen Thi Duyen, a worker at Viet Nhat Plastic Manufacturing Co., Ltd., has been single-handedly caring for her elderly mother and raising two young children who are still in school for many years. With her meager salary, her family lives in constant financial hardship. "My biggest dream is to have our own home so that my children can have a stable life and focus on their studies," Ms. Duyen shared.

Donating money to support workers in building "Trade Union Shelters".

Understanding the plight of its member, the Trade Union of Viet Nhat Plastic Manufacturing Co., Ltd. proactively proposed to the higher-level trade union to provide financial support for the construction of a "Trade Union Home" for Ms. Duyen's family. The Hanoi City Federation of Labor decided to provide 50 million VND to help her build a new house. With the support from the City Federation of Labor, along with help from family, relatives, the company, and savings accumulated over many years of work, in February 2026, Ms. Duyen's family began construction of their house in Phuong Duc commune, Hanoi. During this year's Workers' Month (May 2026), the house was completed and put into use, bringing joy to the whole family.

Directly handing over financial support and gifts to the family of union member Nguyen Thi Duyen, Mr. Nguyen Huy Khanh, Vice Chairman of the Hanoi City Federation of Labor, said that the "Trade Union Shelter" program has truly become a support system for many union members and workers in difficult circumstances over the years. According to the plan, during the 2026 Workers' Month, the Hanoi City Federation of Labor expects to continue supporting 5 more "Trade Union Shelter" houses...

In addition to housing support, many grassroots trade unions are proactively negotiating to improve employee welfare. In Bac Ninh province, Mr. Nguyen Duy Tung, Chairman of the Hana Micron Company's Trade Union, said that through negotiation and dialogue, besides higher overtime pay than stipulated, the company also organized many recreational activities and "Trade Union Meals" during the April 30th - May 1st holidays to show appreciation to its employees. In particular, depending on their length of service, employees also received bonuses ranging from 500,000 to 2 million VND.

At Changshin Vietnam Company in Dong Nai province, which employs over 42,000 workers, many of today's welfare policies are the result of persistent negotiations between the trade union and the company. The Chairman of the grassroots trade union, Dang Tuan Tu, stated: “After years of persistently collecting data and analyzing the impact on health and labor productivity, in 2015 the trade union successfully persuaded the company to implement a policy of providing breakfast support for workers. Each meal costs 10,000 VND, with workers contributing 4,000 VND and the rest subsidized by the company. This seemingly small policy has contributed to caring for the health of workers, helping them arrive on time for their shifts, stabilizing production, and increasing labor productivity.”

Improving institutions and support policies.

One of the outstanding achievements after nearly two years of implementing Resolution 07/NQ-BCH of the Vietnam General Confederation of Labor on caring for the lives of workers is the proactive role of trade union organizations in participating in building institutions and policies to provide direct and long-term support for union members and workers. The Vietnam General Confederation of Labor has contributed opinions to nearly 50 draft laws, resolutions, decrees, and circulars related to the legitimate rights and interests of workers; at the same time, it has played a key role as a member of the National Wage Council in proposing adjustments to regional minimum wages, contributing to improving income and ensuring a decent standard of living for workers.

Visiting and encouraging workers who have suffered work-related accidents.

In the housing sector, the "Trade Union Shelter" program continues to expand. To date, trade unions at all levels have supported the construction and repair of 4,894 shelters, with a total budget of over 211.5 billion VND. During the Lunar New Year of 2026 alone, an additional 237 shelters received support for construction and repair. Simultaneously, social housing projects funded by trade unions are also being accelerated. Currently, 244 apartments in the Dong Van II Industrial Park are 100% occupied; in 2025, 3 new projects with a scale of 1,539 apartments were started; and in 2026, it is expected that 8 more projects with approximately 5,525 apartments will be started...

Large-scale, direct welfare programs have also been organized, creating widespread impact. Over the past two years, more than 27,000 Tet Reunion programs have been organized, attracting nearly 5 million union members and workers, with a total expenditure of over 1.924 billion VND. The "Trade Union Tet Market - Spring 2026" program alone served over 1.1 million direct and online shoppers. The "Trade Union Flight," "Trade Union Train," "Trade Union Bus," and "Ticket of Compassion" programs have helped more than 324,000 union members return home for Tet, with a total expenditure of nearly 164 billion VND...

In particular, the "Trade Union Meal" model is becoming a new highlight in the welfare system. In just two years, trade unions at all levels have organized 20,724 meals for more than 5.5 million union members and workers, with a total cost of nearly 316.5 billion VND. Along with caring for material well-being, health care, cultural, and sports programs have also been expanded.

The work of dialogue and collective bargaining has also seen positive changes and improved in quality. By the beginning of 2026, 84.9% of dialogues in enterprises had welfare benefits exceeding legal requirements; 62.4% of collective labor agreements were rated B or higher, exceeding the set target.

During the period of 2024-2025, trade unions at all levels signed more than 6,000 new collective labor agreements; nearly 5,400 agreements were amended and supplemented in a way that is more beneficial to workers. This is an important foundation for the increasingly effective implementation of regulations on wages, bonuses, meal allowances, rest periods, vocational training, and occupational safety.

According to Thai Thu Xuong, Standing Vice President of the Vietnam General Confederation of Labor, this year's Workers' Month is the first time that quantitative targets have been introduced at the grassroots level, striving for 10% of union members and workers in each unit and enterprise to participate in proposing initiatives; of which at least 30% of the initiatives are to be applied in practice.

In the coming period, the Trade Union will continue to improve policies and laws related to labor, wages, insurance, housing, childcare, and cultural institutions; enhance dialogue and negotiation; strengthen social resources for welfare funds; and develop a digital ecosystem to serve union members. “Welfare programs need to be built in a long-term, stable manner with the participation of many parties. Welfare for workers should not only rely on trade union resources, but also require the support of businesses and society as a whole. When labor productivity is increased, the resources generated will return to serve the workers themselves,” said Ms. Thai Thu Xuong.

Mr. Ngo Duy Hieu, Vice President of the Vietnam General Confederation of Labor: Trade unions at all levels are implementing a comprehensive range of solutions to develop human resources, protect jobs, promote emulation movements to improve productivity, inspire initiative and creativity, apply science and technology, and facilitate digital transformation. Workers are at the heart of the enterprise and are the decisive factor in labor productivity; when productivity is increased, social resources will be more abundant to better care for workers.

Mr. Akira Kikuchi, Senior Managing Director of Stanley Electric Vietnam Co., Ltd.: The union chairman truly acts as a bridge between management and employees, always listening to and understanding the pressures faced by workers in order to find solutions that harmonize labor relations.

Ms. Pham Thi Bich Hai, President of the Trade Union of Toto Vietnam Company: Through dialogue and negotiation, many welfare policies for workers have been improved, from increasing the support for "Trade Union meals," allowances for working in hot environments, to adding more days off and ensuring wages are always higher than the regional minimum wage, along with many practical support measures.

Source: https://baotintuc.vn/xa-hoi/danh-nguon-luc-cham-lo-cho-nguoi-lao-dong-20260522094421801.htm