From labor contracts to workers' support

Trade unions accompany workers from small sharing

When the problem of retaining workers becomes a priority for many businesses, especially in labor-intensive industries such as garment, mechanics, and steel, grassroots trade unions are increasingly clearly showing their role as a bridge, accompanying businesses to improve the quality of life for workers with practical policies that are close to practical needs.

Not only stopping at protecting rights, trade unions also participate in building collective labor agreements, proposing welfare policies, maintaining periodic dialogues and becoming a support in difficult times for workers.

Talking to Lao Dong Newspaper, Ms. Nguyen Thi Dao - Chairwoman of the Trade Union of May 10 Corporation (Garco10) - said that May 10 always identifies employees as the most valuable asset, so caring for employees is not only a responsibility but has become a part of corporate culture preserved through many generations.

To retain workers, first of all, it is necessary to maintain their trust, sharing and feeling of being respected" - Ms. Nguyen Thi Dao shared. According to her, trade unions and businesses coordinate to build a policy system in the direction of "better than the law, better for workers", from income support during school opening for children of officials and employees, annual vacations, wedding gifts, support for union members in difficult circumstances to free cars to take workers home for Tet.

A highlight at May 10 is the synchronous welfare system serving workers such as kindergartens, polyclinics, dormitories, vocational schools, and worker cultural activity points. In which, May 10 Kindergarten has become a special model when receiving children from 6 months old, studying both Saturdays and summer but without increasing tuition fees, picking up children early before 7 am and dropping them off late after 6 pm without additional fees - a policy that helps many female workers working in shifts feel secure to return to work after childbirth.

Female workers currently account for more than 75% of the labor force at May 10, so many policies are designed in the direction of understanding the specific characteristics of women in the garment industry. In addition to maternity benefits, female workers are also given periodic specialist examinations, breast and cervical cancer screening, tuition support for children sent to businesses' kindergartens, and participate in many topics on family happiness, childcare, soft skills and mental health care.

Not only May 10, at Toyota Motor Vietnam Company, trade unions and businesses also build companionship according to the motto "Trade unions and companies are like two wheels on the same ax", together towards the goal of developing businesses associated with the interests of employees.

According to Mr. Tran Hoai Nam - Chairman of the Trade Union of Toyota Motor Vietnam Company, caring for employees is not just about complying with regulations but is seen as a lasting gratitude to employees throughout the working process. The company currently maintains more than 30 welfare items, from nutrition throughout the working shift, support for shuttle buses, gasoline to productivity and contribution bonus policies - factors that contribute to building trust and long-term attachment of employees to the business.

In the steel sector - where occupational safety requirements are always put first - the role of the trade union is also increasingly clearly shown through close coordination with businesses to take care of both material life and a safe working environment for workers. Mr. Nguyen Thanh Le - Chairman of the Trade Union of Vina Kyoei Steel Co., Ltd. said that the trade union and businesses maintain periodic dialogues, implement many policies such as productivity bonuses, meal care, vacations, funeral and wedding support and especially pay attention to occupational safety.

Occupational safety is always put first" - Mr. Nguyen Thanh Le emphasized. According to him, the trade union and the network of occupational safety and health officers regularly coordinate to monitor, improve the working environment, reward safety initiatives, and at the same time maintain many policies to support female workers who are pregnant and raising young children so that workers can feel more secure and attached.

When companionship enters the lives of workers

Care policies are only truly meaningful when they enter the lives of workers. Talking to Lao Dong, Ms. Nguyen Thu Ha (35 years old) - a worker at May 10 - said that during the time of giving birth and raising young children, she received a lot of support from the company and trade union such as full maternity benefits, gifts for children on June 1st, Mid-Autumn Festival, early school year support and timely encouragement when the family encounters difficulties.

What moves me is not only material value but also the sharing and affection of the collective for employees" - Ms. Thu Ha shared. For her, a good working environment, periodic health check-ups, annual vacations and cultural and spiritual activities are factors that help her feel more secure and attached to the business for a long time.

What keeps workers for a long time sometimes lies not only in income, but also in the feeling of being cherished, being shared when in difficulty and being assured to manage family life. In many businesses today, trade unions are becoming a part of that fulcrum, silently but enough to maintain the rhythm of attachment of workers to the business.

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