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Vietnam's trade union leader secures benefits for workers
Vietnam's trade union leader secures benefits for workers
11/8/19
At enterprises in Vietnam, it is still common to see a senior manager or human resources manager doubling as that company's trade union chairman.
Although trade unions are supposed to represent and protect the rights and interests of labourers, the union leaders are usually employed by businesses, which in principle, would undermine their works.
An international expert on employee-employer relations has said making unions independent from the interference of management is key to building harmonious, stable and progressive industrial relations.
Pham Thi Hang, chairwoman of Hai Phong Economic Zone’s trade union, is well known for her initiatives to help improve benefits for labourers and make trade unions free from management interference.
She has advocated establishing trade unions with workers as the core members so they no longer depend on employers to make decisions related to labour rights and for these efforts, she became one of the 10 outstanding trade union officials honoured in the Nguyen Van Linh awards held for the first time in July by the Vietnam General Confederation of Labour.
Hang and trade union officials of the economic zone have approached each and every factory to listen to labourers’ difficulties and recommendations and encourage them to apply for trade unions.
Among 220 companies located in the economic zone, 188 have established grassroots trade unions. So far, about 100,000 out of 130,000 workers in the economic zone have become union members, a testament to the non-stop efforts of chairwoman Hang and her colleagues, who realised that Vietnam's international agreements allow for workers to freely choose which organisations they would like to join.
Hang has also pioneered collective bargaining with Foreign Direct Investment enterprises to provide better benefits for labourers.
Since 2016, Hang has directly negotiated a collective bargaining agreement with a group of enterprises from the Republic of Korea. By June this year, 19 businesses had signed the agreement.
The agreement offers better benefits for workers at firms in the Hai Phong Economic Zone. It sets the meal allowance at a minimum of 21,000 VND (0.9 USD) per worker per day. The Tet (Lunar New Year) bonus is equal to at least one month's wage. The monthly travel allowance is 400,000 VND per worker. Female workers in their menstrual period are paid overtime for their hours according to the Labour Code. Each month, labourers must have at least one week working for 40 hours.
The negotiation process was not easy. To persuade business representatives, Hang and the leaders of the trade unions had to analyse the advantages and disadvantages of increasing wages and meal allowances to make sure employers understood the benefits of the changes.
ILO Vietnam country director Chang-Hee Lee has praised Hang’s creative and unique approach, calling the agreement at Hai Phong Economic Zone a new milestone in developing labour relations among businesses and their employees.
Hang was honoured last month by the VGCL as one of the ten most outstanding individuals who contributed to trade union activities./.
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All comments [ 9 ]
The communication work should be intensified in order to raise the quality of trade union members, thus improving their political will, patriotism, national pride and law observance.
In any circumstance, being cautious and ensuring labour safety is always the best solution and should be prioritised in the manufacturing process.
Guaranteeing workers' safety is protecting human rights.
To reduce the number of work-related accidents, it was necessary to take a number of steps including improving working conditions and clarifying the responsibilities of workers and employers.
Ensuring safe working environments is crucial in preventing accidents and enhancing businesses' competitiveness.
The core function of the trade union is to represent, take care of and protect legitimate rights and interests of labourers, the leader stressed, asking trade union organisations to coordinate with competent agencies to promptly handle issues that draw concern of employees.
Enterprises should increase supervision of labourers through camera systems and provide more training in labour safety, fire prevention and fire fighting.
trade union organisations need to join hands in building policies and laws regarding jobs, wage, social insurance and occupational safety and hygiene
Trade union officials at all levels must continue reforming and bettering operational methods and efficiency to suit the current situation and the country’s development.
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