General Secretary Nguyen Phu Trong suggested that the Trade Union develop long-term welfare programs.

According to General Secretary Nguyen Phu Trong, trade unions need to research and develop long-term welfare programs for their members and workers.

General Secretary Nguyen Phu Trong speaks at the 13th Congress of the Vietnam Trade Union - Photo: NGUYEN KHANH

On the morning of December 2nd, at the National Convention Center ( Hanoi ), the 13th Congress of the Vietnam Trade Union, for the term 2023-2028, was solemnly inaugurated with the participation of nearly 1,100 delegates, representing over 11 million union members and workers nationwide.

Attending the congress were General Secretary Nguyen Phu Trong, President Vo Van Thuong, National Assembly Chairman Vuong Dinh Hue, and other leaders and former leaders of the Party, State, ministries, sectors, and localities.

Many policies ensure jobs and income for workers.

On behalf of the Party and State leadership, General Secretary Nguyen Phu Trong congratulated, commended, and highly appreciated the efforts, achievements, and progress of the workers' movement and trade unions nationwide during the past term.

General Secretary Nguyen Phu Trong affirmed that throughout history, the Trade Union has made worthy contributions to the great victories of the revolution, helping to build an increasingly strong working class.

At the beginning of the term, the task of implementing the resolutions of the 12th National Congress of the Trade Union had many advantages. However, since 2020, challenges such as the COVID-19 pandemic, the impact of the Fourth Industrial Revolution, competition among major countries, and global inflation have affected the jobs, incomes, and lives of workers and the Trade Union.

"Towards the end of the term, widespread unemployment among workers occurred, and the number of workers forced to leave businesses to return to their hometowns or move into the informal sector increased rapidly," the General Secretary stated.

In light of this situation, the Party and the State have implemented numerous policies and solutions to maintain employment, ensure income, and alleviate difficulties for workers.

Besides the achievements, General Secretary Nguyen Phu Trong stated that it is necessary to frankly acknowledge that there are still many shortcomings that need to be addressed soon. For example, some trade union officials lack thoroughness, have limited capabilities, and are not truly responsible, dedicated, or close to the workers.

Therefore, they fail to understand the thoughts and aspirations of workers, and do not fully fulfill their role in representing and protecting the legitimate rights and interests of laborers. Furthermore, the percentage of non-state enterprises with trade unions remains very low, and their quality is not yet high.

The General Secretary suggested that the congress should pay attention to discussing and thoroughly analyzing the causes of existing shortcomings and limitations, drawing lessons from experience, and then proposing solutions to overcome them effectively during this term.

General Secretary Nguyen Phu Trong delivers a speech at the congress - Photo: NGUYEN KHANH

5 suggestions from the General Secretary

General Secretary Nguyen Phu Trong suggested several issues for the 13th Congress of the Vietnam Trade Union to discuss, consider, and decide upon, thereby enhancing the role of the Trade Union in caring for, representing, and protecting the rights of workers.

"Trade unions must help each member and worker gain a deeper understanding of the Party, the regime, the class, the trade union organization, and their civic responsibilities, so that they continuously strive in their work and actively participate in emulation movements to contribute to the development of each agency, unit, enterprise, and the country. From there, they can improve their income and living standards, as well as those of their families," the General Secretary stated.

Firstly , in directing and implementing trade union activities, the Vietnam Trade Union must be a socio-political organization operating within a socialist-oriented market economy led by the Communist Party of Vietnam and managed by the State.

Trade unions are responsible for representing, caring for, and protecting the legitimate rights and interests of workers, and their activities are under the comprehensive and absolute leadership of the Party.

"How can we ensure that trade unions at all levels truly become the nucleus for gathering and uniting the working class and laborers throughout the country?" the General Secretary emphasized.

Secondly , we must continue to innovate the content and methods of propaganda, mobilization, education, and training of cadres, civil servants, public employees, and workers to improve their qualifications, expertise, professional skills, political awareness, patriotism, national pride, and self-respect...

Thirdly , trade union organizations at all levels must affirm their role in representing workers, caring for and protecting the legitimate interests of workers. In particular, General Secretary Nguyen Phu Trong suggested that the Vietnam General Confederation of Labor should pay attention to, research, and develop long-term, strategic welfare programs.

"The care provided by the trade union must be specific, thoughtful, practical, paying attention to every meal and every night's sleep, understanding the joys and sorrows of union members, workers, and their families," Mr. Trong emphasized.

Fourth , vigorously innovate the organizational model, content, and operating methods of trade unions to suit the labor structure, types of enterprises, needs and aspirations of workers, and the requirements of international integration.

Fifthly , trade unions must enhance their role and better fulfill their function of participating in building the Party and the political system, while considering this as both a responsibility and a political right of the trade union organization.

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