Sustainable development through labor equality

Promoting gender equality in labor and employment is a goal that clearly demonstrates each locality's commitment to social progress. This is both a requirement to ensure women's rights and a driving force for sustainable growth. In Thai Nguyen, this process is being implemented through concrete solutions, aiming for a fair labor market where everyone has the opportunity to develop their abilities and contribute to the community.

In recent years, awareness of gender equality has gradually changed, contributing to improving the quality of life for women in Lan Quan hamlet (Quang Son commune). In the photo: Women in Lan Quan hamlet planting buckwheat flowers to attract tourists .

Career opportunities are increasingly available for women.

As a rapidly developing industrial province in the Northern Midlands and Mountains region, Thai Nguyen currently has nearly 800,000 workers. Gender equality policies implemented continuously over the years have created a foundation for women to access quality jobs and affirm their role in many fields.

The proportion of female workers in the business sector has steadily increased over the years. They participate in production in many positions, from unskilled labor to management, executive, technical, or production line operation roles. Many businesses consider female workers to be a well-organized workforce with a high sense of responsibility and the ability to adapt quickly, making them well-suited to the modern industrial production environment.

In agriculture , many women-led models have had a positive impact. The Hao Dat Tea Cooperative (Tan Cuong commune) is a prime example. With approximately 50 workers, 60-70% of whom are women, this model operates with the aim of providing opportunities for women to receive skills training, access processing technology, and develop their expertise.

Ms. Dao Thanh Hao, Director of Hao Dat Tea Cooperative, said: "When women receive adequate support, they are able to lead production groups and proactively participate in brand building. By prioritizing the human element, we have improved product quality and made a positive contribution to the Tan Cuong tea brand."

Female workers account for 60-70% of the workforce at Hao Dat Tea Cooperative (Tan Cuong commune).

In industrial areas, women are also present in large numbers in large-scale enterprises such as Samsung Electronics Vietnam Thai Nguyen, TNG, VietCap, etc. The percentage of female workers in some units reaches 60 to 70%. They hold many important positions such as technicians, team leaders, or production line managers. The work environment, based on fair and transparent evaluation criteria, helps women to be more motivated to stay with the company long-term.

Ms. Tran Thi Diem Huong, Team Leader of Machine Team 2, VietCap Investment and Trading Joint Stock Company, said: "Respect, policy support, and opportunities for advancement give women confidence in their future careers."

These changes affirm that when given equal opportunities, women can fully develop their abilities and become a pioneering force in the socio-economic development of the province.

Three pillars of support for workers.

From the beginning of 2025, Thai Nguyen implemented a group of solutions to support employment based on three pillars: counseling, networking, and training. Each pillar aims to create a continuous support network for workers, especially vulnerable groups such as women, ethnic minorities, poor workers, or workers returning home after the pandemic.

The Provincial Employment Service Center organizes activities such as: a peak month for connecting labor supply and demand, job fairs, and online job exchanges. These activities help workers understand recruitment needs while enabling businesses to access suitable human resources.

Female workers make up a high percentage at TNG Investment and Trading Joint Stock Company.

As of the end of October 2025, the Center had organized 72 regular job fairs, 12 mobile job fairs, and 26 counseling conferences. 9,399 people received direct counseling, and 1,701 businesses were surveyed regarding their recruitment needs. As a result, 1,684 people successfully found jobs, achieving 120% of the plan, and 4,933 workers were referred to job opportunities.

A key aspect of job placement activities is bringing mobile job fairs to local communities, especially in remote and rural areas. People can access labor market information and receive direct career and training advice without having to travel far. This approach narrows the gap in employment opportunities between different labor groups and improves the efficiency of utilizing local human resources.

The province's support programs both meet immediate needs and contribute to the formation of a foundational workforce for long-term development. When the labor market is organized transparently and equitably, workers can easily choose suitable careers, and businesses can recruit a workforce that meets production requirements.

The Provincial Women's Union organized a training course to equip officials in the commune-level political system with knowledge on gender equality and skills in implementing gender mainstreaming in 2025.

Advancing towards gender equality

Gender equality is a requirement closely linked to the process of industrialization and modernization. As Thai Nguyen province shifts its economic structure towards industry and services, organizing vocational training, improving skills, and expanding opportunities for career advancement for women becomes a crucial aspect, helping women access quality jobs, develop their abilities, and actively participate in the socio-economic development of the locality.

According to Ms. Tran Kim Dung, Vice President of the Provincial Women's Union: Women account for nearly 50% of Thai Nguyen's workforce, with half working in the formal sector. This force makes a strong contribution to production, services, education, and healthcare. The results achieved reflect the province's efforts over many years in implementing gender equality policies, from raising awareness through communication to supporting vocational training, providing startup loans, and protecting rights in the workplace.

However, many challenges remain. The informal sector still employs a large number of women, with unstable employment; income in some sectors is not commensurate with effort; and access to high-tech fields is limited. As digitalization and automation accelerate, women risk being left behind if they are not supported in upgrading their skills.

The Women's Association of Quyet Tien hamlet (Hop Thanh commune) organized an exchange to learn about gender equality.

Mr. Nguyen Manh Bao, Head of the Labor and Employment Department (Department of Internal Affairs), said: Thai Nguyen aims to build a fair labor market, in which gender stereotypes are eliminated in the recruitment and employment process. The province focuses on inspecting the implementation of labor laws in enterprises with a large number of female workers, thereby ensuring their rights regarding working hours, welfare, and occupational safety. Simultaneously, it aims to encourage women to participate in non-traditional professions such as technology, precision mechanics, and electronics engineering.

Gender equality is the foundation for a developed society, because when women have equal opportunities with men in education, careers, and income, human resources are optimally utilized. To achieve this goal, the government needs appropriate policies, businesses need progressive management thinking, and women themselves need to proactively improve their capabilities and seize opportunities.

Thai Nguyen's recent progress demonstrates its unwavering commitment to sustainable development, placing people at the center and considering gender equality as a crucial driving force in that process.

In reality, gender equality is not just a slogan but needs to be demonstrated through specific policies and practical actions, with the joint efforts of the entire society. Building a safe, transparent, and non-discriminatory work environment, combined with vocational training and skills development for women, is a crucial foundation for narrowing the gender gap, maximizing the potential of female workers, and simultaneously forming a sustainable and effective workforce.

Source: https://baothainguyen.vn/xa-hoi/202511/phat-trien-ben-vung-tu-binh-dang-lao-dong-e7d343e/