From Directive 20 to the green movement among workers

From Directive 20 to 11,244 activities spread across the country

According to Dr. Nguyen Anh Tho - Director of the Institute of Occupational Safety and Hygiene Science, Vietnam General Confederation of Labor, the "green journey" of the trade union organization begins with a clear awareness of the current state of environmental pollution that is directly affecting the health, lives and jobs of millions of workers.

On July 12, 2025, the Prime Minister issued Directive No. 20/CT-TTg on urgent and drastic tasks to prevent and solve environmental pollution. The Directive is a strong call for the participation of the entire political system, in which the role of the Vietnam Trade Union and each worker plays a key role.

Responding to World Environment Day June 5 and Environmental Action Month 2025, the Vietnam General Confederation of Labor issued Instruction No. 49/HD-TLD on May 28, 2025, synchronously deployed throughout the system. Trade unions at all levels organized 11,244 activities with 1,138,971 union members and workers participating; in particular, rally, seminar, training, knowledge dissemination and environmental protection contest activities reached 3,494 sessions. Communication work has been promoted with 229,444 brochures, banners, slogans, and posters; 5,042 broadcasts, television, newsletters, reports, and propaganda at enterprises.

At the grassroots level, trade unions proactively coordinate with authorities at the same level to implement specific and practical activities: planting and caring for trees; launching environmental sanitation campaigns; joining hands to reduce waste. The results recorded the appearance and landscape of many places as greener - cleaner - more beautiful: 7,752 km of roads, beaches, canals were cleaned; 5,291 tons of waste and waste were collected, transported and treated, including 76 kg of waste batteries, 6 kg of fluorescent lamps, 131 kg of plastic waste. Union members released 50,000 aquatic fish fry, started construction - inaugurated 346 environmental protection projects, and planted and cared for 1,302,028 flowers, ornamental plants, and potted plants at agencies, units, and enterprises.

Seeing from the known numbers, the trade union network has turned policies and directives into a widespread action movement, absorbing into each "population" of working life. This is also the way the Vietnam Trade Union affirms its role as a representative, caregiver and defender of the legitimate interests of union members: a safe and clean living and working environment is the most fundamental benefit.

Every worker is a "green native"

According to Dr. Nguyen Anh Tho, the "green journey" begins with very small changes in daily habits. At the workplace, each employee is called to become an "environmental ambassador": save energy ( turn off equipment when not in use, take advantage of natural light), reduce plastic waste (use water bottles, personal lunch boxes, limit disposable items), classify waste at source to improve recycling efficiency, prioritize "green transportation" (public vehicles, shared vehicles, non-emission vehicles) and use resources economically from printing paper, water to raw materials for production.

Not only stopping at "green" practices, workers are encouraged to proactively monitor, reflect and propose initiatives. As those who directly operate machinery and understand the production process, they are able to identify environmental "hot spots" in enterprises. The spirit is emphasized to boldly speak out with grassroots trade unions about acts of pollution, violations of occupational safety and hygiene; at the same time, propose improving processes to save raw materials, energy, reduce emissions, both protect the environment and help businesses optimize costs and increase competitiveness.

In order for workers' actions to no longer be individual efforts, the Trade Union organization has proposed a comprehensive action plan with 5 solutions. The first is to promote propaganda and build a "green system".

Second is to launch and replicate emulation movements associated with environmental criteria. Third is to strengthen the role of social supervision and criticism. Fourth, promote dialogue and negotiation to include environmental content in the Collective Labor Agreement. And fifth, cooperation and resource mobilization.

"Green Journey" is a long journey, requiring perseverance, effort and cooperation from all of us. With the spirit of the Prime Minister's strong direction in Directive 20, the Vietnam Trade Union is committed to always being a trusted companion, standing side by side with every union member and employee. With specific actions, we will work together to build a safe working environment, a sustainable society and a green Vietnam for today and for future generations," Dr. Nguyen Anh Tho emphasized.

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