Enhancing the role of workers' representatives in the new context.

Expanding membership, streamlining the organizational structure according to the new administrative model, and strengthening grassroots-oriented activities are helping the Ho Chi Minh City Trade Union improve its representational effectiveness and make positive contributions to protecting the rights of more than 2.5 million workers in the city.

Developing membership and innovating methods of operation.

According to Mr. Bui Thanh Nhan, Chairman of the Ho Chi Minh City Federation of Labor, during the period 2023-2025, the city's labor unions at all levels established 7,717 new grassroots labor unions, recruiting nearly 1.57 million members, of which the non-state sector accounted for more than 1.43 million members.

Along with increasing the number of workers, the focus is on improving the quality of grassroots activities through professional training for staff, especially in newly established units or those with a large workforce. Trade union levels proactively monitor the situation in enterprises, guide grassroots trade unions in organizing activities suitable for each type of production, and strengthen exchanges and sharing of experiences to enhance the capacity of trade union officials.

Ms. Nguyen Kim Loan, Vice President of the Ho Chi Minh City Federation of Labor, presents gifts to workers. (Photo: Provided)

From July 1st, the Vietnam Trade Union became a member organization of the Vietnam Fatherland Front, contributing to enhancing the position of workers' representatives in the political system. At the same time, the merger of three localities to form the new Ho Chi Minh City expanded the scope of the city's trade union activities, currently managing approximately 23,000 grassroots trade unions with 2.5 million members.

To meet new requirements, the Ho Chi Minh City Federation of Labor Unions is strengthening its organizational structure and digital transformation in management and operation to ensure flexibility and consistency. The city's labor union continues to effectively fulfill its role in disseminating the Party's guidelines and the State's policies, monitoring and providing social feedback, representing and protecting the rights and interests of workers, and contributing to maintaining harmonious and stable labor relations in enterprises.

During the COVID-19 pandemic, the Ho Chi Minh City Trade Union implemented many practical support activities such as distributing hundreds of thousands of welfare bags, providing food assistance, caring for union members who lost their jobs, had their working hours reduced, or had their contracts temporarily suspended, and accompanying businesses in maintaining production. In addition, many long-term models continued to be effective, such as providing capital support through the CEP microfinance organization, the Trade Union Shelter program, the Workers' Month program, and the Nguyen Duc Canh scholarship.

Recently, in response to the call of the Vietnam Fatherland Front Committee of Ho Chi Minh City, the city's Trade Union organized three donation collection points, receiving over 600 tons of goods to support people in disaster-stricken areas. At the same time, the Ho Chi Minh City Federation of Labor is considering providing assistance to union members whose relatives suffered heavy losses in the recent storms and floods. These practical activities help strengthen the trust of workers and the people in the Party, the State, the Fatherland Front, and the Trade Union organization.

Focus on substantive activities at the grassroots level.

According to Mr. Bui Thanh Nhan, in the coming time, the Ho Chi Minh City Trade Union will focus on innovating the content and methods of its activities to provide increasingly effective care for its members. The city's Trade Union will closely cooperate with the Vietnam Fatherland Front of Ho Chi Minh City to promote the strength of national unity, while also participating more deeply in monitoring and providing feedback on policies related to wages, employment, social security, and occupational safety and health.

Patriotic emulation movements and major campaigns launched by the Vietnam Fatherland Front and socio-political organizations will continue to be strongly supported, aiming to build a harmonious, safe, and sustainable working environment. The city's trade union also identifies caring for the welfare of its members as a key task, with support programs during holidays and Tet (Lunar New Year).

First Conference of Delegates of the Phu Tho Hoa Ward Trade Union, Ho Chi Minh City, term 2025-2030. (Photo: Provided)

During the 2026 Lunar New Year, the Ho Chi Minh City Federation of Labor Unions is expected to provide Tet gifts and train/bus tickets for nearly 400,000 union members with a total budget of 450 billion VND, not including approximately 3,000 billion VND from grassroots union funds. Simultaneously, the union will continue to strengthen cooperation with partners to implement models for worker housing, skills training, corporate culture development, and healthcare and spiritual well-being for workers.

In this new phase of development, the Ho Chi Minh City Federation of Labor Unions has defined its motto: a strong organization, working closely with the grassroots, and being a reliable support for workers. Through this, the union not only plays a representative role in protecting workers' rights but also contributes to attracting and retaining high-quality labor, meeting the socio-economic development requirements of the city.

Workers and laborers in Ho Chi Minh City are expected to continue honing their skills, enhancing their political acumen, and upholding the tradition of creativity and responsibility to join the city in entering a phase of prosperous and sustainable development.

Source: https://thoidai.com.vn/nang-cao-vai-role-dai-dien-nguoi-lao-dong-trong-boi-canh-moi-218293.html