Workers' Month 2026: Shifting from a movement to tangible results

Speaking with a reporter from the newspaper Tin Tuc va Dan Toc (News and Nation), the Standing Vice President of the Vietnam General Confederation of Labor, Thai Thu Xuong, said that in the 2026 Workers' Month, trade unions at all levels will shift strongly from movements to tangible results, thereby concretizing the effective implementation of the Resolution of the 14th National Congress of the Party and the 5-year socio -economic development plan 2026-2031, towards celebrating the 14th National Congress of the Vietnam Fatherland Front and the 14th Congress of the Vietnam Trade Union, term 2026-2031.

Photo caption — Thai Thu Xuong, Standing Vice President of the Vietnam General Confederation of Labor .

Ms. Thai Thu Xuong, the theme for Workers' Month 2026 is "Innovation and Creativity, Enhancing Labor Productivity." Could you please tell us about the new aspects in this year's implementation to ensure this theme is truly effective within businesses?

Our country is entering a new stage of development, with the aspiration to build a peaceful, independent, strong, prosperous, civilized, and happy Vietnam. The entire Party, the entire people, and the entire army are striving to achieve the two strategic goals for the next 100 years.

To realize that goal, it is necessary to create a strong breakthrough in science and technology, innovation, and national digital transformation; to implement strategic breakthroughs synchronously; and at the same time, to promote the strength of national unity, and to awaken the will and aspirations of the Vietnamese people. In this process, it can be affirmed that innovation is the driving force, digital transformation is the method, labor productivity is the measure, and improving income, living standards, and sustainable employment for workers is the overarching goal.

Adhering closely to the theme "Competing for innovation, creativity, and accelerating breakthroughs to bring the country into an era of strong, civilized, and prosperous development," launched at the 11th National Emulation Congress, the Vietnam General Confederation of Labor has implemented a plan to organize the 2026 Workers' Month with the theme "Innovation and Creativity, Enhancing Labor Productivity." With this theme, the Vietnam General Confederation of Labor hopes to create momentum for union members, workers, and employees to enthusiastically compete to successfully fulfill the annual socio-economic development tasks and the 5-year plan (2026-2030). At the same time, it aims to create a foundation for launching new emulation movements among union members, workers, and employees, focusing on excellent labor performance, increased labor productivity, and higher incomes for workers.

Notably, this year's Workers' Month is not limited to a general theme, but is designed with concrete action, targets, incentive mechanisms, and effective measurement tools at the grassroots level. For the first time, quantitative targets are established at the grassroots level, reaching union members and workers: Striving for 10% of union members and workers in each unit and enterprise to participate in proposing initiatives; of which at least 30% of initiatives are applied in practice.

The innovation movement is implemented directly in conjunction with each job position, penetrating deep into each team, line, and workshop, where workers have the best understanding of the production process. The grassroots trade union closely cooperates with the employer to monitor, evaluate, and support the implementation of initiatives from the outset, thereby shortening the gap from idea to application. The content of innovation is also expanded to keep pace with new trends.

Beyond traditional technological advancements, this year places particular emphasis on "digital initiatives," digital skills, digital transformation, and green transformation. These are factors that directly determine the productivity and competitiveness of businesses.

Initiatives are closely linked to mechanisms for motivation, dissemination, and replication. Recognition and rewards are emphasized at the grassroots level and within enterprises; initiatives with high profit potential are selected and widely publicized, creating a genuine ripple effect throughout the entire system.

Setting quantitative targets, such as the percentage of workers participating in initiatives or the number of initiatives implemented, is a noteworthy new development; what mechanisms will the Vietnam General Confederation of Labor have to encourage, recognize, and disseminate effective initiatives?

Setting quantitative targets such as the percentage of workers participating in initiatives or the number of initiatives implemented reflects the new and specific implementation of the General Secretary's directive at the First Congress of the Party Committee of the Vietnam Fatherland Front and Central Mass Organizations, term 2025-2030: "shifting from formal movements to substantive results, based on data and figures; prioritizing models that can be quickly replicated, are cost-effective, have a significant impact on people's lives, and bring practical benefits to the people."

This requirement elevates the responsibilities of grassroots trade unions. Trade unions must not merely play a lobbying role, but must truly be the organizers, partners, monitors, and facilitators of initiatives, ensuring their formation, evaluation, and implementation. This demands that grassroots trade unions be more proactive and closely involved with their members, workers, and the practical production and business operations of the enterprise; they must be able to identify and inspire ideas, while also coordinating closely with employers to remove obstacles and create conditions for effective implementation. Alongside this is the need for timely mechanisms of encouragement, rewards, and recognition to foster creative motivation among workers.

A key highlight is linking the initiative movement with major events and tasks of the Trade Union organization, such as registering projects and products to celebrate the 14th Congress of the Vietnam Trade Union. Through this, each initiative not only has its individual value but also a clear "destination," contributing to enhancing its significance and reach.

We adhere to one overarching principle: Every initiative must be properly recognized, genuinely implemented, and widely disseminated. Only then will quantitative indicators truly become meaningful, serving as a sustainable driving force for productivity and gradually fostering a culture of innovation within each enterprise.

In the context of digital transformation and a changing labor market, how will trade unions support workers in improving their skills, especially digital skills, to meet new demands?

The Trade Union organization identifies the enhancement of skills, especially digital skills, for workers as both an urgent task and a long-term solution to protect sustainable employment in the digital age. The focus of support is on:

Firstly, the Trade Union should strengthen its communication efforts to help workers understand that digital transformation is not only a challenge but also an opportunity, thereby fostering a lifelong learning mindset and proactively updating new skills instead of waiting for support.

Secondly, direct grassroots trade unions to coordinate with businesses, vocational education institutions, and technology platforms to implement flexible training programs (in-person and online), focusing on essential skills such as: using technology in the workplace, information security, working skills in a digital environment, adapting to automation and artificial intelligence.

Thirdly, coordinate the development of "digital learning spaces" such as: open educational resource libraries, online training platforms of the Trade Union; and form a network for counseling, career guidance, and support for career transitions for union members and workers.

Fourth, continue to propose to the government mechanisms to support retraining and skills upgrading for workers; encourage businesses to responsibly invest in training, while ensuring that workers have fair access to learning opportunities.

Fifth, launch emulation movements and encourage workers to apply technology, improve techniques, and increase labor productivity, considering this as a driving force to spread the spirit of innovation among the workforce.

We hope to not only support workers in "learning digital skills," but more importantly, to help them develop the long-term adaptability to the changing labor market, thereby protecting their jobs, income, and position in the digital economy.

Through the dialogue activities during Workers' Month, what policy, wage, and working condition bottlenecks does the Vietnam General Confederation of Labor hope to address, in order to both ensure workers' rights and boost business productivity, Madam?

First and foremost is the bottleneck regarding wages and income. Currently, in many businesses, wages have not kept pace with the rising cost of living, minimum wage adjustments are uneven, and there is still a situation where "nominal wages increase, but real income does not." Through dialogue, the Vietnam General Confederation of Labor hopes to promote more substantive negotiations on wages, bonuses, allowances, especially mechanisms for distribution based on productivity and work efficiency, so that workers are motivated to contribute, and businesses can retain a stable and high-quality workforce.

Secondly, regarding working hours and labor intensity. In reality, many places still experience prolonged overtime, but the compensation is inadequate. Dialogue should aim to balance production demands with the long-term health of workers, moving towards more rational and humane work models while still ensuring productivity.

Thirdly, regarding working conditions and occupational safety and hygiene. Some businesses, especially in strenuous and hazardous industries, still have limited investment in improving the working environment. The Workers' Month, combined with the Occupational Safety and Hygiene Action Month, is an opportunity for trade unions and employers to review and substantially improve these factors, as they are not only a matter of rights but also directly determine productivity and product quality.

Fourthly, there are issues concerning social welfare for workers. Housing, childcare, meal allowances, healthcare facilities, and cultural activities remain pressing concerns. When living standards are not guaranteed, workers find it difficult to fully dedicate themselves to their jobs. Dialogue is needed to explore collaborative solutions between trade unions and businesses to improve welfare, thereby fostering long-term commitment of workers to the businesses and the trade union organization.

Thank you very much, Madam!

Source: https://baotintuc.vn/thoi-su/thang-cong-nhan-2026-chuyen-tu-phong-trao-den-ket-qua-thuc-chat-20260430153242125.htm