New role, great responsibility of grassroots trade unions

The grassroots trade union will be the core force in caring for and protecting the rights of workers after the grassroots trade union at the directly superior level is dissolved.

New role

According to the Hai Phong City Labor Federation, after dissolving the grassroots unions and industry unions, the city has 2,969 grassroots unions with more than 596,000 union members. The grassroots unions are directly managed and directed by the City Labor Federation. This helps the guidelines, policies, and movements of the union to be directed more quickly, promptly, and effectively, especially in the context that the union organization is preparing conditions to establish unions in communes, wards, and special economic zones.

Having worked in the trade union for many years, Ms. Tran Thi Lan Anh, Chairwoman of the Trade Union of Da Do Irrigation Works Exploitation Company Limited in An Lao Commune, said that when the grassroots trade union is directly under the City Labor Federation, receiving policies and directing the grassroots to implement them will be more effective and timely. However, to take on a new role with great responsibility like today, trade union officials must be truly responsible and dedicated.

According to Ms. Vu Thi La, Chairwoman of the Viet Tri Garment Joint Stock Company Union in Bac Thanh Mien Commune, the absence of an “intermediate” level union means that the grassroots union must undertake all the work previously performed by the union at the level directly above the grassroots level. For example , guiding, supporting, organizing the signing of collective labor agreements, organizing large-scale cultural and sports activities, dialogues, etc. In their new roles, many union officials are still confused and passive in changing their operating model.

Currently, in most enterprises, union officials are holding multiple positions. They are both involved in production and trade union work, so they are under great pressure. On the other hand, grassroots union officials are paid by the enterprise but perform the tasks of the trade union organization. This inevitably creates difficulties and pressures in the process of protecting the rights of workers. The state of “hot above, cold below” can directly affect the quality of trade union activities if there is no appropriate mechanism.

Not only the grassroots are facing difficulties, but the City Labor Federation is also "overloaded" when it has to manage nearly 3,000 grassroots unions after restructuring the apparatus. With the current number of staff, it is difficult to closely monitor each grassroots union, especially in solving problems arising in daily life and work.

Close direction, specific instructions

Grassroots union officials still hold many positions but do not have appropriate policies and regimes.

For union members and workers, what they care about most is the benefits they receive at the enterprise. This is the role and responsibility of the grassroots trade union in organizing and negotiating collective labor agreements. The issue now is that grassroots trade union officials must constantly improve their responsibility, skills and courage. The Vietnam General Confederation of Labor needs to soon develop specific support policies for grassroots trade union officials.

Mr. Nguyen Van Bang, a worker at Hyundai Kefico Vietnam Co., Ltd., suggested that trade unions at all levels should continue to organize many training courses to improve the capacity and qualifications of trade union officials. In addition, appropriate policies should be developed for grassroots trade union officials so that they can work with peace of mind and care for and protect the rights of workers.

As of mid-July, after implementing the two-level local government, the activities of trade union groups in Hai Phong City are still stable and effective, especially at grassroots trade unions. In order for trade unions to promptly resolve issues at the grassroots level, the Hai Phong City Labor Federation has just decided to establish 28 trade unions in communes, wards, and special zones. These units are established in areas with a scale of 1,500 union members and 10 or more grassroots trade unions and trade unions. In order for the commune-level trade union apparatus to operate effectively, the City Labor Federation has assigned officials from the Trade Union Working Committee to be in charge of managing the area.

According to comrade Nguyen Anh Tuan, Chairman of the City Labor Federation, after establishing grassroots unions at the commune level, the City Labor Federation requested units to quickly stabilize their apparatus. Timely review and grasp the number of enterprises, union members, and workers to develop a plan to propagate and mobilize union members and establish grassroots unions. Continue to promote the role of trade union organizations in caring for the lives and protecting the legitimate interests of union members and workers... contributing to the successful implementation of local socio-economic development tasks.

Source: https://baohaiphongplus.vn/vai-tro-moi-trach-nhiem-lon-cua-cong-doan-co-so-416990.html