Mobilize all resources to ensure a happy Lunar New Year for workers.

With the motto "All union members and workers should have a Tet holiday," the Ho Chi Minh City trade unions at all levels have mobilized more than 3,400 billion VND to care for the Tet holiday of the Year of the Horse 2026. Speaking with a reporter from the Saigon Giai Phong newspaper, Mr. Le Van Hoa (pictured), Vice Chairman of the Ho Chi Minh City Federation of Labor, affirmed that the city's trade unions are striving to care for all union members and workers, ensuring that no one is left behind, especially migrant workers and vulnerable groups.

Over 3.4 trillion VND allocated to support workers during Tet holiday.

- Sir, given the larger scale and number of workers, what requirements has the city set for preparing for Tet this year?

- Mr. LE VAN HOA: The city's trade union is linking Tet welfare activities with celebrating the Party and the Spring Festival; and celebrating the success of the 14th National Congress of the Party. This year, we have set higher and more comprehensive requirements for Tet welfare work. Specifically, Tet welfare activities are mainly carried out at the grassroots level, focusing on union members, workers directly involved in production, those with particularly difficult circumstances, those who have suffered work accidents, occupational diseases, or serious illnesses… Along with that, the city's trade union is proactively mobilizing the attention of the whole society, especially employers, in caring for workers during Tet in enterprises.

- Currently, some businesses are still facing difficulties, so how will the trade union support the workers in these businesses?

- With the motto "All union members and workers should have a happy Tet holiday," from the grassroots trade unions to the Ho Chi Minh City Federation of Labor, everyone is paying the best attention to caring for all union members and workers. For those workers facing significant pressure during Tet due to reduced production, fewer orders, and no Tet bonuses, the trade union will proactively organize activities to ensure everyone is well cared for, leaving no one behind.

Workers buy Tet holiday goods at discounted prices at a welfare point for union members organized by the Ho Chi Minh City Federation of Labor. PHOTO: THAI PHUONG

- Could you share more specific details about the activities related to Tet celebrations? Many people have commented that Tet celebrations are sometimes too scattered and not targeted enough; how will the trade union adjust this?

- This year, the city's trade union and its affiliated unions have mobilized over 3.4 trillion VND to care for union members and workers. We prioritize immediate support for workers who have lost their jobs due to businesses ceasing operations, employers absconding, or unpaid wages and bonuses; at the same time, we are reviewing and classifying union members and workers according to their level of difficulty and specific circumstances, and then providing appropriate forms of support.

We provide care based on the actual needs of workers. For migrant workers staying in rented accommodations, we provide cash gifts, participation in the union's Tet (Lunar New Year) market, and union meals during Tet at the company and in the rented housing areas. Workers returning home receive support for airfare, train, and bus tickets, gifts in kind, and essential necessities. These welfare activities will reach workers more directly through programs at the company, industrial park, rented housing areas, and worker accommodation areas. In particular, the union recognizes that Tet welfare must be linked to ensuring stable employment for workers after Tet, connecting them with businesses for recruitment, and creating new jobs for workers.

Protecting workers' rights

- How is the city's consistent spirit of caring for its citizens during Tet, especially migrant workers and vulnerable groups, specifically demonstrated?

- We clearly define the spirit of "putting people first" and ensuring "all union members and workers have a happy Lunar New Year." This includes comprehensive and practical care. Besides material support, the City Trade Union emphasizes its role in representing and protecting the legitimate rights and interests of union members and workers, such as engaging in dialogue and negotiation with businesses regarding salary and bonus payments, social insurance policies, 24/7 accident insurance, and workplace welfare.

- In non-state-owned enterprises, when employees' Tet holiday benefits are affected, how does the trade union demonstrate its role in representing and protecting workers?

- The Ho Chi Minh City Federation of Labor Unions has delegated authority and responsibility to ward, commune, and special zone labor unions – the specialized labor union force that is directly and closely involved with union members, workers, and businesses – to monitor and implement all activities to care for them during Tet (Lunar New Year). Ward, commune, and special zone labor unions will propose plans and activities that are practical for their respective areas, with support levels appropriate to each circumstance and region; prioritizing activities in areas with a large number of migrant workers, self-employed workers, and businesses that have ceased operations or reduced employment…

The trade unions at the ward, commune, and special zone levels are the focal points for organizing on-site support and visits, ensuring timely assistance that is appropriate to the circumstances and purpose; they also monitor the implementation of Tet holiday care at the grassroots level, including non-state enterprises, to promptly report and address any issues that arise.

THAI PHUONG - NGO BINH

Source: https://www.sggp.org.vn/huy-dong-moi-nguon-luc-cham-lo-tet-cho-nguoi-lao-dong-post835152.html