Workers want a "living wage" and reduced working hours.

Ahead of the 14th Congress of the Vietnam Trade Union for the 2026-2031 term, many union members and workers nationwide have expressed their thoughts and aspirations directly related to their lives, jobs, and social security policies.

At a press conference on the afternoon of May 29th, Mr. Ngo Duy Hieu, Vice President of the Vietnam General Confederation of Labor, announced that the 14th Congress of the Vietnam Trade Union will take place from June 3rd to 5th in Hanoi, with the participation of 780 delegates representing nearly 10 million union members and workers nationwide.

According to the Vietnam General Confederation of Labor , one of the prominent proposals that has garnered significant attention from workers is adjusting the minimum wage towards a "living wage," ensuring essential living needs are met and allowing for savings for workers and their families. Other proposals include reducing working hours from 48 hours to 44 hours and eventually to 40 hours per week; considering lowering the retirement age for certain strenuous and hazardous occupations; increasing public holidays; and improving welfare benefits.

Press conference providing information about the 14th Congress of the Vietnam Trade Union, term 2026 - 2031.

Leaders of the Vietnam General Confederation of Labor stated that the trade union organization is conducting a survey of workers' living conditions to develop proposals for a regional minimum wage increase in 2027 that is consistent with reality, in the spirit of harmonizing the interests of workers and businesses, but placing workers at the center.

Along with listening to suggestions, the Trade Union organization continues to implement many practical care programs for union members and workers in difficult circumstances. In particular, the Vietnam General Confederation of Labor has allocated 100 billion VND from its trade union funds to support union members and workers suffering from serious illnesses and occupational diseases. The support level ranges from 1 to 2 million VND per person, implemented before and immediately after the 14th Congress of the Vietnam Trade Union.

The program prioritizes workers suffering from serious illnesses such as cancer, chronic kidney failure, occupational diseases, drug-resistant tuberculosis, and other diseases requiring long-term treatment that significantly impact their health and income.

The 14th Congress of the Vietnam Trade Union took place in the context of the trade union organization continuing to strongly innovate its operational model, focusing on the grassroots level, enhancing its role in representing, caring for, and protecting the legitimate rights of workers. The Congress also identified many key tasks for the new term, such as improving the quality of trade union officials, reforming trade union finances, promoting dialogue and collective bargaining, and building harmonious, stable, and progressive labor relations.

Notably, during the 2026-2031 term, the Vietnam Trade Union will launch the emulation movement "Excellent Workers, High Productivity, Good Income," contributing to increased labor productivity and supporting the country's economic growth goals.

The Presidium of the Vietnam General Confederation of Labor has just issued Resolution No. 13/NQ-ĐCT on supporting union members and workers suffering from serious illnesses and occupational diseases. This is a practical care activity aimed at those in difficult circumstances who need timely support during their treatment.

According to the resolution, the Vietnam General Confederation of Labor will allocate 100 billion VND from its trade union funds to implement the support policy. The implementation period will run from the date the resolution takes effect until June 30, 2026.

A portion of the funds will be used to implement the program "Gifts from the 14th Congress of the Vietnam Trade Union," supporting union members and workers before and immediately after the Congress. The remaining funds will be allocated to the Golden Heart Charity Fund, in coordination with the Labor Newspaper and the Trade Union Affairs Committee, to research and develop a plan for establishing a long-term support fund for union members and workers suffering from serious illnesses and occupational diseases during the period 2026-2031; and to report to the Standing Committee of the Presidium for consideration and decision.

The beneficiaries of the program include union members and workers with cancer undergoing treatment; people with chronic kidney failure requiring regular hemodialysis; and people with occupational diseases as defined by law, diseases that tend to progress, are difficult to treat completely, and have long-term effects on their health and ability to work.

In addition, the program also considers supporting people with connective tissue disorders such as lupus erythematosus, severe psoriasis requiring long-term treatment and difficult to control; drug-resistant tuberculosis, severe tuberculosis, and other serious illnesses...

Source: https://baolaocai.vn/nguoi-lao-dong-mong-luong-du-song-giam-gio-lam-post900633.html