Apache Vietnam takes workers as a foundation for development

Caring from practical things

At a recent reception for workers, Ms. Le Thi Ngoc Han, Chairwoman of the Grassroots Trade Union (CĐCS) of Apache Vietnam Footwear Co., Ltd. (Long Giang Industrial Park, Dong Thap), met again with her son, Ms. Luu Thi Thanh - a female worker who was supported with a Trade Union Shelter 10 years ago.

In those days, Ms. Thanh's family lived in a dilapidated leaf house, her husband worked seasonally, income was precarious; her son had to study under dim lights. Grasping the circumstances, the Trade Union coordinated with the enterprise (DN) to propose support for the Trade Union Shelter, helping the family stabilize their accommodation. Now, the boy of that day has grown up, graduated and returned to work at the company itself. The reunion shows the long-term meaning of caring for workers: not only supporting them in difficult times but also helping them stabilize their lives and have more development opportunities. Established in 2014, Apache Vietnam currently has 8,318 workers, specializing in export shoe production. In 2020, when orders decreased due to fluctuations in the world market, the enterprise coordinated with the grassroots trade union to arrange production, train to improve skills and rotate suitable jobs instead of mass cuts.

The Trade Union also supports union members in difficult circumstances, people with diseases and awards scholarships to workers' children. The Collective Labor Agreement (TƯLĐTT) stipulates many care items such as funerals, funerals, visits to sick people from 200,000 VND/person; support for living, gasoline, travel from 650,000 VND/person; 100% support for training costs and meals worth 20,000 VND/person.

General Director Chen Wei Hua said that the enterprise identifies employees as the foundation for development, linking production with complying with Vietnamese law, fulfilling social responsibility and improving workers' lives. This orientation is concretized through practical improvements. The "Food Exchanging Certificate" model helps employees proactively choose shift meals; "Safe Helmets Station for Employees" creates convenience when accessing protection equipment. The Trade Union also proposed improving parking spaces for pregnant and young mothers and arranging relaxation spaces in the milk pumping room.

Listen to improve the working environment

In addition to caring for material things, businesses coordinate with grassroots trade unions to strengthen the reception of workers' thoughts and aspirations to improve the working environment to be better and better. Workers can directly reflect to trade union officials, call the listed contact number or send opinions via QR code, online mailbox.

Before the employee conference and periodic dialogues, the grassroots trade union uses QR codes to collect opinions on meals, welfare and working conditions. Issues arising are coordinated to be resolved; content beyond authority is transferred to the upper-level Trade Union.

Listening is also associated with production improvement and technology application. Kaizen Center receives initiatives from employees to improve work efficiency. The electronic salary sheet lookup system helps workers proactively check income; the online submission process on the OA (Office Automation) system contributes to simplifying internal procedures.

From the shelter supported 10 years ago to improvements in life and work today, Apache Vietnam shows that caring for workers needs to be expressed through specific actions. The coordination between businesses and trade unions, along with listening to workers' needs, contributes to strengthening harmonious labor relations and creating a foundation for sustainable development.

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