Strengthening propaganda about the role of the Vietnam Trade Union
It is necessary to strengthen propaganda and education for workers and employers about the nature and role of the Vietnam Trade Union and the organization of workers according to the provisions of the Labor Code 2010 for the current workers and trade union movement.
Vietnam is increasingly integrating deeply into the world economy, most notably the signing of new-generation economic agreements such as: Free Trade Agreement with the European Union (EVFTA), signing Comprehensive and Progressive Agreement for Trans-Pacific Partnership (CPTPP) ... To comply with international regulations, the National Assembly has studied, adjusted and amended a number of legal provisions, including the 2019 Labor Code. Article 170 of the 2019 Labor Code stipulates the right to establish, join and participate in the activities of labor representative organizations at the grassroots level, including
- Workers have the right to establish, join and operate trade unions according to the provisions of the Trade Union Law.
- Employees in enterprises have the right to establish, join and participate in the activities of labor organizations at enterprises as prescribed in Articles 172, 173 and 174 of this Code.
- The organizations representing workers as prescribed in Clauses 1 and 2 of this Article are equal in rights and obligations in representing and protecting the legitimate and legal rights and interests of workers in labor relations (1)
Allowing the establishment of an organization representing workers at enterprises other than trade unions is inevitable in the context of international integration. This is an unprecedented case of the organizational system of workers at enterprises existing in parallel with the Vietnam Trade Union, which poses challenges in state management and potentially complex national security. According to Associate Professor, Dr. Bui Dinh Bon, Former Secretary of the Central Theoretical Council "In Vietnam at present, the theoretical foundation of the organization of workers is not clear, the content of "independence" of this organization is not clearly defined and lacks practical experience. In case the organizations of workers at enterprises are guided, transformed into "independent trade unions" or "independent trade unions" will reduce the effectiveness of trade union operations, which is the cradle of forming a opposition organization in Vietnam". (2)
Recently, hostile and reactionary forces at home and abroad have increased communication activities to pressure Vietnam to soon issue legal regulations allowing the establishment of labor organizations at enterprises not under the Vietnam General Confederation of Labor, in order to conduct tricks to establish illegal labor organizations. These forces seek to create pressure, forcing businesses to implement a number of regimes, policies, and benefits outside of the regulations of businesses and the Labor Code; requesting information on employees, salary tables; citing sociological investigations to serve research work to learn about workers' lives at businesses, regimes, working hours, and businesses' treatment of workers... 3.
Along with that, it is necessary to thoroughly exploit the so-called "people's rights", "national power", " releasedness" to attack and distort the role of the Vietnam General Confederation of Labor, raising the incorrect view that only "Independent Trade Unions", free Trade Unions, not belonging to any party group can truly protect the rights of workers. Taking advantage of conflicts between employees and employers on issues such as: Salary or deduction of allowances, labor regulations, food hygiene and safety, violations of labor safety... This leads to inciting employees to gather in large numbers, gather complaints, and stop collective work.
Therefore, it is necessary to strengthen propaganda and education for workers and employers about the nature and role of the Vietnam Trade Union and the organization of workers according to the provisions of the 2019 Labor Code for the current workers and trade union movement. This is an important solution to help workers, employees, and employers understand correctly and substantially the trade union organization and the establishment of workers in enterprises in Vietnam. Only on the basis of a clear and correct awareness of the trade union and a clear ideological understanding can workers and laborers adjust their behavior and orientation in choosing to join a suitable trade union organization for their own benefit and for the active and stable development of the country.
Reference documents
(1) Labor Code 2019.
(2) pull https://www.tapchicongsan.org.vn/web/guest/chinh-tri-xay-dung-dang//2018/824270/view_content.
(3) pull https://www.sggp.org.vn/ That-gia-to-chuc-dai-dien-nguoi-lao-dong-bai 1-nup-bong-de-kich-dong-post760389.html
