The most solid "remote defense line" to protect workers

On the afternoon of June 4, speaking at the 14th Congress of the Vietnam General Confederation of Labour with the theme: "Promoting the role of the Trade Union in participating in building and supervising the implementation of policies and laws to protect the rights of union members and workers", Mr. Do Duc Hung - Member of the Executive Committee of the 13th Vietnam General Confederation of Labour, Chairman of the Vietnam Electricity Trade Union said that in the context of energy transition and the policy of autonomy when restructuring state-owned enterprises, the jobs and lives of tens of thousands of electricity workers are facing unprecedented challenges.

Faced with that context, in the past term, the Vietnam Electricity Trade Union determined that participating closely in the work of building and supervising laws is not only an authority, but also the most solid "distant defense line" to protect workers.

The Vietnam Electricity Trade Union has synchronized this function through two action pillars: First, transform thinking to proactively participate in building policies and laws.

The Trade Union organization has the right and responsibility to participate in building laws for the purpose of state management, enterprise management and protection of workers.

However, we must admit a reality that legal content is often dry, easily making many trade union officials hesitant. Sometimes, we prioritize time for visiting and superficial activities and have the mentality of leaving the policy-making stage to the professional department.

This leads to passivity, short feedback time and low quality of proposals, while this is a decisive factor in the rights of workers.

Identifying this barrier, the Vietnam Electricity Trade Union has thoroughly applied the formula: "proactive - effective": Proactively adhere to new regulations: When electricity industry enterprises enter a strong transition phase from state regulations to internal regulations - typically when the salary and meal allowance regime according to Decree No. 44/2025/ND-CP expires - units have to urgently and proactively build new policies for employees.

Proactively creating from the grassroots level: Being attached to and listening to the grassroots level is the most effective channel to detect inadequacies. Thanks to that, the Vietnam Electricity Trade Union has made practical proposals such as removing obstacles regarding special working hours according to Article 116 of the 2019 Labor Code; initiatives to replace bamboo ladders with retractable ladders; proposals to provide specialized cars, replace motorbikes and improve the quality of mid-shift meals.

Proactive in negotiation culture: Through employee conferences, people's inspection activities and periodic dialogues, the Vietnam Electricity Trade Union always determines the mindset of "seeing the right, seeing the effectiveness is a recommendation".

Although policy recommendations always have delays and require time to consider, but with the position of representing the collective, concise arguments, accompanied by solutions and towards harmony of interests, all efforts have been fruitful.

Proactively linking and mobilizing: Collective recommendations always carry weight. The Vietnam Electricity Trade Union has linked safe electricity operation mechanisms with aviation and coal mining sectors, and at the same time maximized the companionship of the Vietnam General Confederation of Labor so that the voice of workers can reach out to policy-making agencies.

Second, maximize the supervision mechanism in implementation. No matter how humane the policy is, if the implementation stage is weak, the rights of union members are still not guaranteed. Overcoming the confusion about the form of supervision organization, we have shifted from "passive supervision, waiting for complaints" to "proactive supervision".

Strongly promote the supervisory role according to Decision No. 217-QD/TW, affirming the position of the Trade Union in the bloc of unity with the Party and business leaders.

Restructuring and narrowing the focus of activities of the People's Inspection Committee, directing the spearhead directly to supervising regimes, policies and implementing grassroots democracy, standing side by side with the core objectives of the Trade Union organization.

To realize this goal, Mr. Do Duc Hung proposed 3 groups of key solutions: First, the Vietnam General Confederation of Labor needs to soon issue a set of standardized handbook documents on procedures and skills for participating in building and supervising laws, replacing the way of doing things based on personal experience that has not brought high efficiency.

Second, promote the improvement of legal capacity for the team, especially focusing on selecting and fostering skills for trade union officials who are dedicated to the field of regimes and policies.

Third, continue to maintain the spirit of proactiveness early and remotely; spend enough time on in-depth research before major and complex draft regulations to have breakthrough criticisms.

See the original here