The Charter of the Vietnam Trade Union will have many new points.

VTV.vn - The draft Charter of the Vietnam Trade Union, 14th term, proposes new points regarding organization, membership rights, finance, and operating methods to suit the requirements of the tasks in the new period.

Reporting on the amendments and additions to the Charter of the Vietnam Trade Union at the 14th Congress of the Vietnam Trade Union, Vice President of the Vietnam General Confederation of Labor Nguyen Xuan Hung stated that the draft Charter of the Vietnam Trade Union for the 14th term had received more than 1.5 million comments and suggestions.

Opinions were gathered through congresses, conferences, and seminars at all levels of the trade union; from former and current leaders of the Vietnam General Confederation of Labor, experts, trade union officials, and members nationwide. The consultation process took place from November 2025 to April 2026.

According to Mr. Nguyen Xuan Hung, the Trade Union Charter Subcommittee promptly studied and incorporated the feedback received. The Standing Committee of the Presidium and the Presidium of the Vietnam General Confederation of Labor provided input at several meetings; the Executive Committee of the Vietnam General Confederation of Labor discussed and approved the Charter at three consecutive meetings.

The draft was also reviewed by the Standing Committee of the Party Committee of the Vietnam Fatherland Front , central mass organizations, and central Party committees before being finalized and submitted to the 14th National Congress of the Vietnam Trade Union.

The Charter of the Vietnam Trade Union, 13th term, was adopted by the 13th National Congress of the Vietnam Trade Union on December 3, 2023, and consists of 11 chapters and 45 articles. The provisions of the Charter are fundamentally consistent with the time of implementation of the Resolution of the 13th National Congress of the Vietnam Trade Union.

However, in light of the need to reorganize the organizational structure in accordance with the Party's policies, the State's laws, and the tasks set for the new period, amending and supplementing the Charter is deemed necessary, creating a basis for the Trade Union to adapt to the new operational model.

Adapting to the new organizational model

One of the notable changes in the Draft Charter of the Vietnam Trade Union, 14th term, is the amendment of the name of the leading body from "Presidium of the Vietnam General Confederation of Labor" to "Standing Committee of the Vietnam General Confederation of Labor" to conform with the Party's regulations.

The preamble to the Charter has also been amended and supplemented to further clarify the position and role of the Vietnam Trade Union. The draft adds content defining the Vietnam Trade Union as the sole representative of workers at the national level in labor relations and international trade union relations; and affirms that the Vietnam Trade Union is under the Vietnam Fatherland Front, and is a member organization of the Front.

The principles governing the organization and operation of the Vietnam Trade Union continue to be revised and supplemented, while still upholding the principle of democratic centralism. The draft adds a provision that the Vietnam Trade Union is established on a voluntary basis; it cooperates and coordinates with employers, while ensuring the independence of the trade union organization.

The draft also clarifies the coordination mechanism between the Vietnam Trade Union and other member organizations of the Vietnam Fatherland Front. Accordingly, these organizations will engage in democratic consultation, coordination, and unified action, chaired by the Vietnam Fatherland Front, while promoting the initiative and creativity of the Trade Union organization in accordance with the Constitution, laws, the Charter of the Vietnam Fatherland Front, and the Charter of the Vietnam Trade Union.

Regarding the organizational system, the Draft concludes the model of district-level labor federations, local industry trade unions and equivalents to align with the two-tiered local government model as per the Party's policy.

The organizational system of the Vietnam Trade Union for the 2026-2031 term is built on a model comprising the central level; provincial and equivalent levels; commune and equivalent levels; grassroots trade unions and grassroots professional unions.

Regulations regarding the target groups and management of provincial and city labor federations and central industry trade unions have also been revised and supplemented to align with the Party's guidelines, the State's laws, and the practical organization and operation of trade unions.

The draft adds two new articles. Article 17 regulates trade unions of economic groups and corporations directly under the Vietnam General Confederation of Labor. Article 18 regulates trade unions at the commune, ward, and special zone levels; inter-commune and inter-ward trade unions; trade unions in industrial zones; trade unions in central government agencies; trade unions in national universities, regional universities, and other universities; the Vietnam Fisheries Union; and some other specific trade union models.

These amendments not only change the name or reorganize the organizational structure. The requirement is that the trade union apparatus must operate smoothly, stay close to its members and workers, and not leave any gaps in representing, caring for, and protecting the legitimate rights and interests of workers.

Expanding benefits and enhancing services for union members.

The draft of the revised and supplemented Charter of the Vietnam Trade Union, 14th term, includes many provisions directly related to union members.

In this draft, the criteria for membership in the Vietnam Trade Union are adjusted to align with the Party's policies and the State's laws. The draft also adds the right of union members to use electronic applications and access digital data of the Vietnam Trade Union.

This regulation aligns with the requirements of digital transformation in trade union activities, facilitating easier access to information, services, and welfare programs for union members.

The draft also stipulates that union members with particularly difficult circumstances may be considered for exemption or reduction of union fees according to regulations. This content is directly aimed at workers, especially those facing difficulties in employment, income, and living conditions.

Another proposed new measure is to reduce the union dues from 1% to 0.5% of the monthly salary used as the basis for social insurance contributions for union members.

The amount of union dues paid by union members needs to be distinguished from the union fees paid by businesses. Currently, businesses are required to deduct 2% of their payroll, which serves as the basis for social insurance contributions, to pay union dues. The Vietnam Trade Union is proposing amendments to some categories of individuals required to pay union dues to ensure consistency and uniformity with the 2024 Trade Union Law.

The draft revised Charter also adds a provision stating that annually, the Vietnam General Confederation of Labor shall report to the Central Committee of the Vietnam Fatherland Front on the budget and financial statements of the trade union.

The amendments and additions to the Charter of the Vietnam Trade Union, 14th term, are being carried out in the context of the Trade Union organization facing many new requirements. The organizational structure must adapt to a new model, the methods of operation must be reformed, the rights of union members need to be more practically guaranteed, while the responsibility of representing, caring for, and protecting workers is increasingly high.

Over 1.5 million comments and suggestions served as an important basis for finalizing the draft Charter before submitting it to the 14th National Congress of the Vietnam Trade Union for consideration and approval.

Once adopted, the Charter of the Vietnam Trade Union, 14th term, will serve as an important political, legal, and organizational basis for trade unions at all levels to innovate their activities, improve the effectiveness of serving union members and workers, and be ready to fulfill their tasks in the new period.

Source: https://vtv.vn/dieu-le-cong-doan-viet-nam-se-co-nhieu-diem-moi-100260604100150775.htm