The will to go offshore helps develop the marine economy, affirming sovereignty over seas and islands
On November 28 in Hanoi , the Vietnam Fisheries Trade Union held its 3rd Congress of Delegates for the 2025-2030 term.
According to Mr. Do Tien Dung, Chairman of the Vietnam Fisheries Trade Union, in the past term, grassroots trade unions have truly become the mainstay of tens of thousands of fishermen, supporting each other in exploitation, production, natural disaster prevention, search and rescue, and the struggle to protect the rights and sovereignty of the sea and islands of the Fatherland.
The 3rd Congress of Delegates of the Vietnam Fisheries Trade Union, term 2025-2030. Photo: Trung Hieu.
Propaganda and dissemination of laws have been enhanced, while the spirit of solidarity and will to go to sea of union members and fishermen continues to be promoted, making an important contribution to the development of the marine economy , ensuring social security and affirming sovereignty over traditional sea areas.
However, Mr. Do Tien Dung also said that the past term also revealed many challenges such as the lack of synchronous fishing infrastructure, the difficult life of a part of fishermen, the high price of materials and fuel, while the situation of illegal, unreported and unregulated fishing (IUU) still affects the reputation and export of seafood. These issues require the Vietnam Fisheries Union to continue to strongly innovate to meet the requirements in the new period.
Congress Presidium. Photo: Trung Hieu.
“The congress takes place at a time when the fisheries sector is aiming for sustainable development, increasing added value and becoming a key economic sector. At the same time, Vietnam is vigorously implementing solutions to remove the EU's IUU 'yellow card', promoting digital transformation in seafood exploitation and reorganizing production in a modern and standardized direction,” Mr. Do Tien Dung emphasized.
In that context, this Congress has the task of summarizing and evaluating the results of activities for the 2022-2025 term, pointing out the achievements, shortcomings, limitations and causes to draw lessons.
On that basis, the Congress discussed and decided on the direction for the 2025-2030 term, focusing on organizational innovation, improving the quality of union members, and taking care of the legitimate rights and interests of union members and fishermen. At the same time, it supported career transition, enhanced labor safety, promoted the application of science and technology, and enhanced the role of unions in production linkages.
According to Mr. Do Tien Dung, in the last term, grassroots unions have truly become the mainstay of tens of thousands of fishermen. Photo: Trung Hieu.
The Congress will also elect the Executive Committee for the third term, consisting of capable, dedicated, and prestigious people representing the voice and interests of fishermen nationwide.
Along with that, the Congress will discuss solutions to build the image of Vietnamese fishing workers as united, responsible, civilized and professional, contributing to the goal of making Vietnam a strong maritime nation, rich from the sea.
Support 760 million VND for 150 union members facing risks
Currently, the Vietnam Fisheries Union has 115 grassroots unions in 18/21 coastal provinces and cities, with more than 22,300 union members and over 6,300 fishing vessels.
During the 2022-2027 term, grassroots unions have played a good role as a bridge between fishermen and the government, synthesizing fishermen's recommendations and difficulties to receive guidance and support to enjoy policies such as fuel support, hull insurance, crew insurance or regimes when ships are in distress.
Delegates voting at the Congress. Photo: Trung Hieu.
The union also coordinates to monitor production situations, supports the preparation of documents requesting assistance for difficult cases, provides information on weather and fishing grounds, participates in rescue and supports many fishing vessels inside and outside the union.
Along with that, the Vietnam Fisheries Union also focuses on taking care of the lives of union members. Through the Vietnam Fisheries Humanitarian Fund and support from all levels, more than 150 union members in trouble have been helped with a total amount of nearly 760 million VND. According to statistics, during the term, the organization has supported nearly 10,400 union members, giving more than 10,700 gifts to fishermen on holidays, New Year or when there are natural disasters or accidents.
Delegates vote to elect the Executive Committee of the Vietnam Fisheries Trade Union, Term III. Photo: Trung Hieu.
In propaganda work, the union coordinated with functional agencies to disseminate laws on fisheries, labor safety, social security and mobilize union members and ship owners to commit to combating IUU fishing. The Vietnam Fisheries Union issued 30,000 propaganda leaflets and presented more than 5,000 national flags to fishermen. The Executive Committees of grassroots unions also stepped up propaganda at the local level, mobilizing union members to participate in social movements, traditional festivals and comply with regulations on exploitation and protection of aquatic resources.
Many unions have taken advantage of the long-range ICOM system to transmit weather information, natural disaster warnings, guide ships to shelter and coordinate rescue. Thanks to that, during the term, unions have supported nearly 470 fishing vessel accidents, promptly rescuing nearly 340 vessels with more than 1,700 crew members. Some unions have also proactively mobilized to establish mutual support funds when facing risks at sea, which have operated effectively and received the approval of union members.
In the 2025-2030 term, the Vietnam Fisheries Trade Union focuses on raising awareness among union members, fishermen and ship owners in complying with the law and international treaties. Photo: Dung Nhan.
However, the last term still had some limitations such as some targets were not completed, the summary of practices and finding funding to support union members was slow, and the inspection and supervision of activities at the grassroots level was not regular.
Some Executive Committee members hold concurrent positions, so they have not been able to arrange time to closely monitor activities; many grassroots unions operate in a perfunctory manner, not closely following the actual needs of fishermen. Labor disputes and labor fluctuations still occur, and labor quality is uneven.
During the 2025-2030 term, the Vietnam Fisheries Union aims to consolidate the system, stabilize the organization and improve the effectiveness of its functions and tasks. Strengthen connections and improve operational capacity for the interests of union members and fishermen. Thereby contributing to ensuring safety, security and order at sea, participating in search and rescue and protecting the sovereignty of the sea and islands of the Fatherland.
The union continues to develop its membership, establish more grassroots unions and improve the quality of its activities, meeting the needs and aspirations of its members; truly becoming a representative organization, caring for and protecting the legitimate rights and interests of fishermen.
Along with that, the Union focuses on raising awareness among union members, fishermen and ship owners in complying with the Party's guidelines and policies, the State's laws, especially the Law on Fisheries, the Law of the Sea of Vietnam and international treaties to which Vietnam is a party.
Source: https://nongnghiepmoitruong.vn/nghiep-doan-nghe-ca-la-diem-tua-vung-chac-cua-hang-chuc-nghin-ngu-dan-d787042.html
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