Summary of the formation and development process of the working class and the Vietnam Trade Union (part 4)

1. The period 1954 - 1960

After the victory of Dien Bien Phu and the signing of the Geneva Agreement, the completely liberated North quickly took action to restore the economy.

In 22, 22, 22, in the North, the labor force of workers and civil servants in the material production area was about 76,000 people. The number of workers and civil servants in state-owned industries is 21,200 people, of which the number of workers directly involved in production is 17,000 people, and more than 16,000 workers are employed in private- corporate enterprises in many industries and a workforce of craftsmen is about 298,000 people. The Vietnam General Confederation of Labor has 1,100 grassroots unions and 140,000 union members.

The North-South Trade Union Conference in 1956, determined that trade unions must gradually shift all their activities to organizing and encouraging workers and laborers to participate in restoring production, stabilizing and improving their lives, and increasing support for the fight of workers in the South against the terrorist oppression of the US- Diem.

The active activities of the workers' movement and the Trade Union have contributed to the economic recovery in the North in general and the North's industry in particular. By the end of 1957, although the proportion of industry was still low, it accounted for 17.28% of national income.

To have a legal basis for trade union activities, on November 5, 2019, the President issued Decree No. 108-SL/L10 promulgating the Trade Union Code. This event marks a major turning point in perfecting the organization and enhancing the position of the Vietnam Trade Union.

By 1960, the number of union members was 308,386 with 2,501 grassroots unions distributed in most factories, construction sites, farms, and agencies. The number of full-time union officials from the grassroots to the Central level is 2653 people. The team of union officials has not only developed in quantity but also increased rapidly in quality.

During the period of 1954 still in charge of the Vietnam General Confederation of Labor, the Vietnam General Confederation of Labor has increased foreign affairs activities to exchange experiences in many fields with trade union organizations of countries around the world, especially trade unions of socialist countries. Through international activities, the friendship, understanding and mutual assistance between the Vietnamese working class and the world working class has been strengthened, creating conditions for our people to carry out the socialist revolution in the North and fight for national unity.

In the South, workers and laborers continue the fight against the US and the flood raft misforces Ngo Dinh Diem in extremely difficult conditions. American goods and some capitalist countries flooded into the South, causing the South's industries and handicrafts to be stagnant. In 1958, more than 80% of textile and garment workers were laid off. In 1959, the number of unemployed people in the whole South reached 1.5 million people.

Meanwhile, My-Diem launched a "combat" or "Union Youth" terrorist attack, implementing the "class harmony" or " dividing for profit", "Union not doing politics" to continue dividing the workers' movement, eliminating progressive ideology and limiting the influence of the revolution among workers.

Faced with the extremely difficult situation of the Southern revolution, the Party has directed establishments in the inner city and in the plantations to find ways to cling to land, cling to the people to develop forces, and organize for workers to fight. Therefore, from 1954 to the end of 1960 there were over 2,300 struggles by workers across the South, typically the demonstration of nearly 50 thousand workers in Saigon on May 1/1958, the celebration of workers' forces, on May 1/1959 by more than 20,000 workers and people in major cities in the South such as Hue, Da Nang, Can Tho, Saigon - Cho Lon...

The Southern Labor movement in the years 1954-1960 took place strongly, evenly with many rich and diverse forms of struggle that had a great impact on the common struggle movement of all classes of people in the South to overthrow the American empire and the flood raft with the wrong hands. The movement has linked workers in many industries, many localities, and many classes of people to participate. Thereby, the Southern labor force is trained and matured.

2. The period 1960 - 1975

This is the period when the working class in the North competes in labor production and fighting, actively supporting the South, contributing to the implementation of the two flags of the Socialist Republic Revolution in the North and the National Democratic Revolution in the South set by the Third National Congress of the Party.

From February 23-27,61 the 2nd Congress of the Vietnam Trade Union was held in Hanoi. The Congress decided to change the name of the Vietnam General Confederation of Labor to Vietnam General Confederation of Labor. Comrade Hoang Quoc Viet - member of the Party Central Committee was re-elected as Chairman of the Presidium of the Vietnam General Confederation of Labor, Comrade Tran Danh Tuyen was re-elected as General Secretary.

To successfully achieve economic and social goals, the Vietnam General Confederation of Labor has encouraged employees to compete in "strive to become a socialist labor force", responding to the movement "3 builds, 3 opposes", "Each person works at a equal level". These movements have been widely participated by workers and laborers in factories, typically Duyen Hai Mechanical Factory (Hai Phong) and Thanh Cong Handmade Cooperative (Thanh Hoa). These are units with outstanding achievements in the industrial and handicraft sector.

Trade unions at all levels regularly organize news conferences and seminars, thereby making union members clearly see their responsibilities, determined to complete state plans; mobilize workers to promote initiatives, improve techniques and organize, improve labor productivity. The emulation movements proposed by the grassroots trade union in a timely and practical manner such as: "providing for 3 high points" of the Hanoi Mechanical Factory, "All for 91 days of safe production" of the Viet Tri Power Plant... have attracted and enticed union members to enthusiastically produce and work.

Many cadres and employees in the mechanical, Commercial, Transportation, etc. sectors volunteered to win three high scores: productivity, quality and economy; the working atmosphere of production was very vibrant in construction sites, factories, and agencies. Emulation movements not only bring economic efficiency but also contribute to educating workers in the North about the love of the North.

From the end of 1964 to the beginning of 1965 the rhythm of production labor at construction sites, factories and workshops became more vibrant and strong. Under the direction of Party committees at all levels, grassroots trade unions closely coordinate with youth unions, encourage the masses to boost production, improve technical management, and rationalize production. Trade unions at all levels constantly innovate the content and methods of operation, taking the protection and promotion of the right to master the collective of social networks of workers and civil servants as a driving force to build a strong Trade Union organization.

New steps forward of the workers' movement and the Trade Union in the first 5-year plan have contributed to important changes in the Northern industry. Compared to 1960, the gross domestic product of 1965 increased by 52.9%, of which industry increased by 84.6%, and basic construction increased by 72%. By the end of 1965, the first facilities for mechanical engineering and chemical processing were built and gradually put into production. Industry develops many new industries, produces many new items, meets 90% of people's consumer demand...

On August 5, 1964, the US began a war of sabotage in the North with air and Navy, the task of the North was to both build and fight directly, firmly protect the achievements of the revolution and support the large frontline in the South.

The 13th Conference of the Executive Committee of the Vietnam General Confederation of Labor (April 1965) identified the working class and trade union organizations as promoting the pioneering revolutionary will and the entire people's determination to fight against the US and defeat the US to build and protect socialism in the North, actively supporting the Southern revolution towards national reunification.

In October 1965, the delegation of the Vietnam General Confederation of Labor and representatives of the Vietnam Liberation Trade Union Federation attended the 4th World Trade Union Congress in Poland. The Congress passed a resolution calling on world trade unions and people to support and help Vietnamese workers against US invasion.

With the spirit of "Stidy with hammers, strong with guns", "The enemy is fighting, the enemy is going is producing", "All for the front line", workers and people in the North have promoted the tradition of diligence and creativity in fighting, fighting with intelligence and bravery, contributing to protecting, building, firmly consolidating the large rear and fulfilling their obligations to the large front line in the South.

During the fierce war years, the transportation workers, along with the military and public transport forces, ensured support for the South according to the motto "Fighting the enemy, keep going", "Fighting the enemy, opening the way to move forward", " commodity is not lacking in weight, the army is not lacking in one person: "Living on the bridge, sticking the road, dying steadfastly and bravely".

Under the direction of the Vietnam General Confederation of Labor, the Central Trade Unions and local Trade Unions have proposed many measures to mobilize workers to increase labor productivity. The Hanoi, Nghe An and Ha Tinh Trade Union Federations launched a campaign for employees to advance in science, compete in technical improvement, encourage homemade self-made cars to increase labor productivity, increase useful working hours, and save raw materials. The Hai Phong Trade Union Federation, Viet Bac, Hoa Binh, Ha Tay, Nam Dinh, Hanoi... promptly organized a conference to review experiences on the campaign to improve labor productivity. The Trade Union of the Industry: Post Office, Railway, Architecture, and Health has had the initiative to organize a joint conference between the Trade Union and the profession, developing a plan to guide the masses in emulation against labor, production and work.

During the 1965-1968 period, on the production front, despite many new difficulties arising in the context of war, civil servants and trade unions have promoted the spirit of self-reliance, bravery in creativity in production, resilience in combat, ensured the maintenance of industrial production, handicrafts, maintained traffic flow, both produced warships, actively participated in building self-defense forces and military training. Thousands of CNVC volunteered to join the army, fighting directly on the battlefields.

From 1969 to 1971, CNVC has made many great contributions to the economic recovery and development, stabilizing production. The transport sector's personnel have repaired and reopened 233,000km of roads, ferry bridges, wharves, and river wharves to transport over 111,000 tons of goods and weapons to the battlefield. The General Department of Logistics, Vietnam People's Army has increased over 10,000 officers and soldiers serving traffic routes. The sectors of Agriculture, Industry, Post Office, Health, Education... have all achieved important results in the emulation movement against the Korean government to save the country.

The Vietnam General Confederation of Labor proactively and promptly sets out goals, contents and measures to carry out the key task of boosting production, caring for and solving urgent problems in life, and being ready to fight. In April 1972, the US Imperial Army devastated the North again on a more fierce and brutal scale. The trade union mobilizes workers, ensures stable working hours and working days and promotes production, adheres to labor targets and norms, maintains labor discipline regulations and participates in production management. The General Confederation of Labor, Trade Union Federations and Industry Trade Unions assign cadres to the grassroots, helping grassroots trade unions redirect their activities and build organizations. Tens of thousands of employees have volunteered to go to the front. Miners' and steel worker groups were born during the war years against the Americans and achieved many glorious feats. Many grassroots trade unions have organized the "Bomb over singing" movement with mass art performances organized in diverse and rich forms.

From November to February 14, 1974, the 3rd Congress of the Vietnam General Confederation of Labor met in Hanoi. The Congress determined the direction and tasks of trade union work and the workers' movement in the new period. Comrade Ton Duc Thang was elected honorary president of the Vietnam General Confederation of Labor. Comrade Hoang Quoc Viet was re-elected as President of the Vietnam General Confederation of Labor. The General Secretary is comrade Nguyen Duc Thuan.

Implementing the Congress Resolution, workers in the North have enthusiastically competed in labor and production to practice thrift to restore the North's economy, effectively support the South, the emulation movement in labor, production and practice thrift has attracted 70% of employees and 75% of production teams and teams to participate; there are 2,018 establishments, of which 1,580 production and business establishments registered to exceed the assigned plan. By the end of 1973, 919 facilities had exceeded the State- assigned plan.

Emulation movements to serve agriculture have made progress. Many localities and sectors such as Ha Tay, Thanh Hoa, Vinh Phuc, Nam Dinh, Thai Binh, Energy, Mechanical, Chemical Industry... have had many emulation programs to serve agricultural production, increase crop and livestock productivity. The Agricultural Research Institute has sent technical staff to agricultural cooperatives to guide farmers on techniques for farming, animal husbandry, etc.

The achievements in economic recovery, boosting production and saving in the North in the years 1973-1975 have supported the general revolt in the spring of 1975, liberating the South, uniting the Fatherland, and creating a premise for the whole country to go to socialism.

In the South, on April 27, 1961, the Labor Liberation Union was born, and on May 1, 1965 it changed its name to the Vietnam Liberation Trade Union Federation, mobilizing and gathering workers to fight against the US-us on all fronts, in many forms and measures. In the first 2 years of fighting the "Special War" strategy (1961-1962), the Southern Labor Federation conducted over 8,900 struggles, with more than 74,000 participants. A typical example is the strike of more than 400 workers of Xtanvac Oil Company on September 4, 1961. The 3-month strike paralyzed 100 oil outlets. This struggle was supported by tens of thousands of workers of Rubber Plantes in Bien Hoa, Thu Dau Mot and over 100 workers' unions in Saigon - Cho Lon. The employers must accept the workers' request to increase their salary by 6%. In October/1961, more than 7,000 Dau Tieng workers went on strike demanding a salary increase. The struggle attracted thousands of people in the fields and towns to participate.

In 1963 alone, in the Saigon - Cho Lon area, there were 505 struggles, attracting over 20,000 participants. On September 21 and 22,/1964, more than 20,000 workers and laborers in Saigon demonstrated and demonstrated in support of the struggle of textile and garment workers, demanding an end to oppression, demanding freedom and democracy. The general strike paralyzed many activities in Saigon city. The struggle in urban areas also includes coordination with plantation workers and farmers in neighboring areas and armed forces attacking military offices and bases in cities.

The contributions of Southern workers in the General Offensive and Uprising of Mau Than 1968 brought the movement to new heights. Despite their limitations, the Southern Labor Federation overcame the fierce terrorism of the enemy; maintained and developed the movement to fight, contributing to the people of the South in defeating the "localized war" strategy of the American empire. When the American empire was forced to negotiate with the Democratic Government of the Republic of Vietnam and the representative of the National Liberation Front of South Vietnam, the Vietnam Liberation Army actively called for and mobilized workers and laborers around the world to mobilize, support the "10-point solution" of the National Liberation Front of South Vietnam, and resist the stubborn attitude of the American delegation at the Pa Ri conference. After the failure of the "Vietnamese War" strategy, under the direction of the Labor Union, the struggle movement of workers and laborers in the South took place vigorously, demanding that the US must respect and implement the Pari Agreement, combined with the struggle to improve life, fight against dismissal, and demand democratic freedom. From these struggles, many workers' organizations were established such as "lifebuilding committees", "workers' rights protection committees", "Fronts against workers' dismissal"... This is a form of widely gathering workers and laborers to unite and fight to protect their rights. The workers' movement in urban areas has had many more shock and self-defense teams, information teams, and preparations to participate in coordinating armed struggle in the city.

The general advance and rebellion of our army and people in the spring of 1975 completely liberated the South and unified the Fatherland. In that victory, there was the support and smooth coordination of the workers' forces in the southern urban areas. The Labor Union for Liberation has instructed workers to proactively rise up to protect factories and enterprises that take over warehouses, protect and continue to maintain the operations of power plants, water plants, means of transport and communications, contributing to stabilizing people's lives immediately after the liberation day.