Enhancing legal knowledge for workers.

Dong Nai province has a large number of workers employed in many units and enterprises. Recognizing the importance of protecting workers' rights, in recent times, trade unions at all levels in the province have intensified their efforts in disseminating information and improving legal knowledge for workers.

Workers participate in a conference on social insurance policies organized by the Trade Union of Vedan Vietnam Co., Ltd. Photo: Thao My.

Acquiring legal knowledge is not only a "shield" to protect one's rights but also a foundation for long-term stability.

Enhancing legal knowledge for workers.

A recent awareness campaign on social insurance policies organized by the Trade Union of Vedan Vietnam Co., Ltd. (in Phuoc Thai commune, Dong Nai province) attracted the attention of a large number of workers in the company. During the program, employees were informed about the core and practical contents of the 2024 Social Insurance Law, including their rights and obligations when participating in social insurance; and the benefits they are entitled to, such as sickness, maternity, work-related accidents, occupational diseases, retirement, and death benefits.

Besides the presenters' presentations, the program also included time for direct Q&A sessions with workers regarding contribution levels, benefit duration, pension eligibility conditions, and other benefits arising during their employment. Many practical situations were addressed promptly, helping workers better understand social insurance policies, feel confident in participating, and proactively protect their legitimate rights.

Mr. Ho Huu Hoang Duy, a worker at Vedan Vietnam Co., Ltd., said: “After participating in the training course organized by the Trade Union, I understand more clearly about social insurance benefits, especially retirement benefits. The training course not only helped me gain more knowledge but also brought me peace of mind when working long-term. I hope there will be more programs like this so that workers can access the law in a more accessible and practical way.”

Beyond direct dissemination, trade unions at all levels are continuously diversifying their labor law awareness campaigns through competitions that create engaging and beneficial platforms, making it easier for workers to absorb knowledge. A prime example is the "Golden Bell Challenge" at New Apparel Far Eastern (Vietnam) Co., Ltd. in Dong Phu commune. Participating workers take turns answering a set of questions covering various fields such as labor law, occupational safety and health, social knowledge, and daily life.

The competition contributed to building a dynamic and positive working environment and raising workers' awareness of occupational safety and necessary skills in the workplace. Worker Le Thi Ha said: “Participating in the competition, I realized that understanding the law is very important for workers to protect themselves. The questions revolving around the 2019 Labor Code or related policies connected to daily work helped workers easily remember and understand their rights and obligations.”

Improving workers' knowledge of labor laws is not only the responsibility of the authorities but also requires the cooperation of businesses. Workers who understand their rights and obligations will protect themselves and contribute to building a civilized, professional, and sustainable working environment.

Creating stable labor relations

A concerning reality today is that many workers still have limited legal knowledge, especially regarding regulations directly related to their rights and obligations. Many have suffered losses when businesses default on or evade social insurance contributions, preventing them from receiving their entitlements. Furthermore, due to a lack of information, workers are unaware of regulations related to contracts, wages, or working conditions, leading to their rights being affected without knowing how to speak up to protect them.

Lawyer Vu Ngoc Ha, a labor law expert at the Trade Union Legal Consulting Center (under the Provincial Labor Federation), stated: In reality, the 2024 Social Insurance Law has been in effect for a long time, but workers' ability to grasp the new knowledge remains limited. Understanding these regulations is crucial, as they directly affect their rights. A notable change, besides the age requirement, is the reduction in the minimum social insurance contribution period for retirement from 20 years to 15 years. This expands the scope of those eligible for retirement benefits, bringing practical benefits to many workers. Furthermore, many people are still not up-to-date on the new provisions of the law, leading to a lack of understanding of their rights and how to implement social insurance schemes.

According to lawyer Vu Ngoc Ha, improving legal knowledge for workers is not just a need but has become an urgent requirement. The regulations in the 2019 Labor Code clearly outline labor contracts, wages, working hours, rest periods, and insurance schemes. By understanding these provisions, workers can avoid situations where their rights are violated, such as delayed wages, non-payment of insurance, or unlawful contract termination.

Furthermore, to enhance legal knowledge among workers, trade unions at all levels in the province utilize social media and technology to create effective communication channels, regularly updating new regulations and practical situations related to the rights and obligations of workers. This approach not only helps disseminate legal information widely but also contributes to fostering a proactive awareness of understanding and complying with the law among each worker.

Mr. Nguyen Minh Tam, Chairman of the Trade Union of Pou Phong Vietnam Co., Ltd. (in An Vien commune), said: Raising legal awareness also contributes to building harmonious and stable labor relations. When both employees and employers understand and comply with the law, disputes will be limited. The grassroots trade union strengthens its propaganda work through training sessions at the enterprise with concise, easy-to-understand content, linked to real-life situations. In addition, the application of technology to convey legal information in the form of videos and infographics has also yielded high effectiveness.

Trade unions at all levels in the province have proactively implemented many practical methods to enhance legal knowledge for workers, from publishing legal handbooks and establishing "legal corners" in the workplace to organizing legal knowledge contests. These activities help workers access knowledge in a visual and engaging way right in the enterprise environment. Along with this, many businesses are also actively building a transparent working environment, contributing to strengthening trust and ensuring fairness in labor relations.

Thao My

Source: https://baodongnai.com.vn/xa-hoi/202604/nang-cao-kien-thuc-phap-luat-cho-cong-nhan-lao-dong-abb4ab9/