Bringing trade unions closer to workers.

The 2026 Workers' Month will not only focus on activities to care for and protect workers, but also make a clear mark in developing union membership and establishing grassroots trade unions.

Báo Quảng Ninh•19/05/2026

The Provincial Labor Federation's plan for Workers' Month 2026 clearly sets the goal of establishing 47 grassroots trade unions and developing 4,800 trade union members. This is also one of the key focuses of the peak month for developing union membership and establishing grassroots trade unions implemented throughout the province.

In the context of many businesses facing difficulties and a volatile workforce, the task of developing union membership and establishing grassroots trade unions requires a flexible and practical approach. Trade unions at all levels should not wait for businesses to approach them, but instead go directly to the grassroots level, engaging with businesses from the very beginning of their operations, listening to the concerns of workers, and addressing the worries of employers to build trust in the trade union organization.

Bai Chay Ward Trade Union

Trade union officials from Bai Chay ward are promoting and encouraging the owner and employees of FTE Ha Long Hotel to establish a grassroots trade union.

In Bai Chay ward, trade union officials continuously visit businesses to promote and encourage the establishment of grassroots trade unions. These meetings take place right at the workplace, during workers' breaks, or through direct discussions with business owners. This approach, characterized by close engagement and perseverance, helps the trade union gradually build consensus and expand its role within the enterprise.

Ms. Nguyen Thi Duyen, Chairwoman of the Bai Chay Ward Trade Union, said: “During Workers' Month, we established and launched 5 grassroots trade unions with over 800 union members and workers. We also propagated and mobilized union members, approached business owners to create consensus for union members to join the trade union. We coordinated with the local government to encourage business owners to create more consensus and conditions for union members to participate in the trade union.”

Thanks to the proactive involvement of local trade unions, many newly established businesses have taken the initiative to establish trade union organizations from the very beginning of their operations. FTE Ha Long Hotel, belonging to FTE Ha Long Tourism and Trade Joint Stock Company, is one such example. The hotel commenced operations in June 2025 with 70 employees. Upon achieving operational stability, the business collaborated with the Bai Chay Ward Trade Union to implement the steps for establishing a grassroots trade union. For businesses operating in the service and tourism sectors, where employees often work in shifts and under high intensity, a trade union organization is even more significant in connecting with, caring for, and protecting the rights of workers.

Mr. Le Tien Thanh, Director of FTE Ha Long Hotel, stated: “We recognize that the trade union not only represents and protects the legitimate rights and interests of workers, but also acts as a bridge between workers and businesses. When the trade union operates effectively, it contributes to building harmonious and stable labor relations, thereby increasing labor productivity and employee loyalty within the enterprise. Therefore, the company always creates favorable conditions in terms of time, facilities, and human resources, as well as coordinating with the ward's trade union to support workers in establishing their own trade unions.”

Not only do businesses agree, but employees also desire a representative organization to accompany and share in their work and lives. Ms. Nguyen Thi Hoai Trang, an employee at FTE Ha Long Hotel, shared: “I want to join the FTE union because it is an organization representing the employees. It is a place that connects people and creates solidarity, support, and help each other when facing difficulties, bringing many meaningful activities and helping to balance life.”

The reality in Bai Chay shows that when trade unions proactively approach businesses, work alongside workers, and gain the trust of employers, the development of union membership and the establishment of grassroots trade unions are no longer solely the responsibility of the trade union organization, but become a need stemming from both the businesses and the workers themselves.

In this year's Workers' Month plan, the Provincial Labor Federation also requested that all levels of trade unions focus resources on developing union membership and establishing grassroots trade unions, especially in non-state-owned enterprises and informal sector workers; while also organizing activities to care for and protect the legitimate rights and interests of workers. Each newly established grassroots trade union means another group of workers has a place to confide their concerns, an organization to represent and protect their rights, and a support system in labor relations.

Thanh Hang

Source: https://baoquangninh.vn/dua-to-chuc-cong-doan-den-gan-nguoi-lao-dong-3407708.html