In a small alley on Dinh Cong Street (Hoang Mai District, Hanoi), Ms. Kim Thi Vien is cleaning her house after a tiring day at work. It is not a very spacious house, but for her, this is a great happiness, so she takes care of every door and every step of the stairs.
Ms. Vien used to be a union member at Bo De Secondary School in Long Bien District (Hanoi); the burden of her husband being bedridden for many years and two young children of school age has worn her out. The house where Ms. Vien's family lives has long been dilapidated, leaking whenever it rains. Despite saving money for many years, she still has not had the means to renovate the house.
Nguyen Thuy Trang, President of the Bo De Secondary School Union, said: “Realizing that union member Kim Thi Vien was having difficulty with housing, we made a proposal to the Long Bien District Labor Federation. As a result, Ms. Vien’s family received support of 40 million VND. This fund is enough for her to replace the attic, install a plastic ceiling, paint the walls, repair and replace the corrugated iron roof and water lines for the house.”
Sharing the same joy as Ms. Kim Thi Vien is Mr. Bui The Hung, a union member of Viet Hung Kindergarten (Long Bien District). Mr. Hung works as a security guard, while his wife is an environmental worker. The couple's monthly income is less than 10 million VND, while they have an elderly mother and two children of eating and growing age. Mr. Hung shared: "In 2023, the Long Bien District Labor Federation supported my family with 40 million VND. After that, I borrowed more to paint and build a second floor with cool corrugated iron, both waterproof and to have more living space. There are still workers in society who are facing difficulties. Therefore, I really hope that the Union will continue to expand the program so that more people can have a home." Currently, Mr. Hung's family life has become less difficult when his first daughter goes to university, works part-time and is able to take care of part of the living expenses.
As one of the localities implementing the "Union Shelter" program most effectively, Mr. Le Dinh Hung - Vice Chairman of the Hanoi City Labor Federation said that the view of the City Labor Federation is that wherever union members have difficulty with housing, the Union will support them with quick and correct procedures; there is no limit on the beneficiaries, but union members who meet the conditions and standards will be supported by the Union; demonstrating the responsibility of the Union in supporting union members in general, especially union members in difficulty, to have a shelter to "settle down and work" is really necessary.
The “Union Shelter” program is drawn from the source of mobilization, each union member contributes 20,000 VND/person/year to the “Social Fund”. This amount is only used to directly support house construction and repair, support union members in difficulty who unfortunately suffer from serious illnesses, and workers who have occupational accidents. The good news is that when the program was implemented, all levels of government, local people and business owners actively participated. That demonstrates the humanity of the Vietnamese people in general and the Trade Union organization in particular.
Among the activities to support workers and laborers, “Trade Union Shelter” is a major program implemented by the Vietnam General Confederation of Labor in all provinces and cities nationwide since 2006. After 18 years of implementation, tens of thousands of union members and laborers have been supported to build shelters. In many localities, not only do they donate money from the union fund, but the labor federations at all levels also mobilize businesses to directly donate money, construction materials, etc. With this approach, many businesses are also excited to be able to choose many different forms to help union members and laborers. Some localities with developed economies such as Hanoi also organize to donate “Trade Union Shelters” to workers in more difficult provinces such as Son La, Hoa Binh, etc.
In the northern mountainous provinces, where economic conditions are still difficult, the “Union Shelter” program is also taking place very enthusiastically. Ms. Nguyen Thi Hong Nhung - Trade Union of theEducation and Vocational Guidance Center of Phong Tho District (Lai Chau Province) burst into tears when receiving support from the Trade Union Social Fund to build a new house. “Just a few months ago, my family’s house was always flooded every time the rainy season came. The roof was covered with corrugated iron, some parts were covered, some were open, making the mother and child unable to sleep at night because of the noise. Living in the new house, I still feel like I’m in a dream…” - Ms. Nhung said.
In Yen Bai province, Mr. Nguyen Van Tinh - Trade Union of Construction Materials Joint Stock Company also received "Trade Union Shelter" last year. He shared: "From the initial support of 40 million VND from the Trade Union Social Fund, Yen Bai Construction Materials Joint Stock Company supported 4,000 bricks, Hapaco Yen Son Company Limited supported 20 million VND. Relatives, colleagues, and friends helped with working days, thanks to which my family was able to have the house of our long-standing dream."
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