When collective bargaining agreements become effective

Collective bargaining agreements (CBAs) are the result of negotiations between employers and a group of employees. When developed based on actual needs, CBAs not only protect the rights of employees but also contribute to building harmonious and stable labor relations within the enterprise.

At Hoa Loi Dat Quang Ninh Garment Co., Ltd., located in Cua Ong ward, a foreign-invested enterprise with nearly 3,000 employees, many policies to care for workers have been concretized in the Collective Labor Agreement. Workers receive a meal allowance of 22,000 VND/person/meal at an air-conditioned canteen; fuel allowance, housing support, support for raising children under 6 years old; seniority allowance ranging from 50,000-800,000 VND/month; responsibility allowance from 100,000 VND to 4 million VND/month; and average income ranging from 9-15 million VND/person/month. During Tet (Lunar New Year), the company awards a bonus equivalent to one month's basic salary plus seniority and provides travel allowance for workers returning home. Notably, the company arranges daily transportation, helping workers reduce costs and ensuring traffic safety.

Meal allowance for workers at Hoa Loi Dat Garment Co., Ltd. in Quang Ninh.

Ms. Tran Viet Chinh, Chairwoman of the Trade Union of Hoa Loi Dat Quang Ninh Garment Co., Ltd., said: “The Trade Union regularly monitors the thoughts and aspirations of workers to propose to the company leadership the addition of appropriate benefits. Many contents related to allowances, living support, care for female workers and workers with young children have been included in the collective agreement and have been maintained stably for many years.”

These policies help many workers feel secure and committed to the company. Ms. Dao Thi Bich Ngoc, a worker at Sewing Workshop 3, shared: “Besides stable income, we also receive many practical support benefits. The company's and the union's care helps me feel secure in my work, take care of my family, and stay with the company long-term.”

While Hoa Loi Dat serves as proof of the effectiveness of collective bargaining in enterprises with a large workforce, FTE Ha Long Hotel demonstrates the proactive approach of the enterprise right from the establishment of its grassroots trade union.

FTE Ha Long Hotel, a subsidiary of FTE Ha Long Trading and Tourism Joint Stock Company, is one of the units that the Bai Chay Ward Trade Union encouraged to establish a grassroots trade union during the 2026 Workers' Month. Despite being a newly established union, the company has already signed a Collective Labor Agreement with many provisions that are more beneficial to employees.

Accordingly, employees receive an average salary of approximately 12 million VND/person/month, a meal allowance of 30,000 VND/person/meal, a 20% discount on hotel services, a sauna membership worth approximately 10 million VND/year, and partial support for English language tuition...

The newly established FTE Ha Long Hotel Union has signed a collective labor agreement with many provisions beneficial to the workers.

Mr. Le Tien Thanh, Director of FTE Ha Long Hotel, said: “As soon as the Trade Union started operating, the hotel signed a Collective Bargaining Agreement with many clauses beneficial to employees. We consider the trade union as a bridge between the enterprise and the employees, contributing to building a stable working environment, increasing productivity and retaining employees.”

Not limited to just a few exemplary models, the negotiation and signing of collective bargaining agreements (CBAs) in the province have seen many positive changes, with the majority of CBAs containing more favorable clauses for workers than those stipulated by law. During the period 2021-2025, 926 out of 1,221 enterprises in the province conducted negotiations and signed CBAs; of which 100% of state-owned enterprises, 64% of FDI enterprises, and 74% of enterprises of other types signed CBAs. The percentage of CBAs meeting quality standards was 18.8% (A), 31.2% (B), 25.1% (C), and 25% (D).

However, the quality of collective bargaining agreements remains uneven. Some businesses simply copy legal regulations, lacking substantive negotiation clauses regarding wages, bonuses, benefits, meal allowances, or working conditions. Many businesses without a trade union have also failed to negotiate and sign collective bargaining agreements.

In reality, the value of a collective bargaining agreement lies not in the number of clauses but in the benefits enjoyed by workers. Housing support, a better meal allowance, or practical welfare benefits can all motivate workers to stay with the company. Therefore, along with expanding the scope of agreements, trade unions at all levels need to continue improving the quality of collective bargaining, focusing on the issues that concern workers most. When each clause stems from the actual needs of the workers, the collective bargaining agreement will truly become a commitment to partnership between the enterprise and the workers, contributing to building harmonious, stable, and sustainable labor relations.

Thanh Hang

Source: https://baoquangninh.vn/khi-thoa-uoc-lao-dong-tap-the-di-vao-thuc-chat-3409745.html