On the morning of December 2, at the National Convention Center (Hanoi), the 13th Congress of the Vietnam Trade Union for the 2023-2028 term solemnly opened with the participation of nearly 1,100 delegates, representing over 11 million union members and workers nationwide.

Attending the congress were General Secretary Nguyen Phu Trong, President Vo Van Thuong, National Assembly Chairman Vuong Dinh Hue and leaders and former leaders of the Party, State, ministries, branches and localities.

Many policies ensure jobs and income for workers

On behalf of the Party and State leaders, General Secretary Nguyen Phu Trong congratulated, commended and highly appreciated the efforts, attempts and achievements of the workers' and trade union movements nationwide during the past term.

General Secretary Nguyen Phu Trong affirmed that in the historical process, the Trade Union has made worthy contributions to the great victory of the revolution, helping to build an increasingly strong working class.

At the beginning of the term, the task of implementing the Resolution of the 12th Congress of the Trade Union had many advantages. However, since 2020, challenges such as the COVID-19 pandemic, the impact of the 4th industrial revolution, competition between major countries, and global inflation have affected the jobs, incomes, and lives of workers and the Trade Union.

"At the end of the term, unemployment among workers occurred on a large scale, and the number of workers having to leave businesses to return to their hometowns or move to the informal sector increased rapidly," said the General Secretary.

Faced with that situation, the Party and State have many policies and solutions to maintain jobs, ensure income, and reduce difficulties for workers.

In addition to the achievements, General Secretary Nguyen Phu Trong said that it is necessary to frankly admit that there are still many limitations that need to be overcome soon. For example, a number of union officials lack closeness, have limited capacity, and are not truly responsible, dedicated, or close to workers.

Therefore, they do not understand the thoughts and aspirations of workers, and do not fully promote their role as representatives and protectors of the legitimate rights and interests of workers. Or the percentage of non-state enterprises with trade unions is still very low, and the quality is not high.

The General Secretary suggested that the congress should pay attention to discussing and carefully analyzing the existing causes and limitations, drawing lessons from experience to propose solutions to overcome them during this term.

5 suggestions from the General Secretary

General Secretary Nguyen Phu Trong suggested a number of issues for the 13th Congress of the Vietnam General Confederation of Labor to discuss, consider and decide, thereby enhancing the role of the General Confederation of Labor in caring for, representing and protecting the rights of workers.

"The trade union must help each union member and worker gain a deeper understanding of the Party, the regime, the class, the trade union organization, and civic responsibility so that they can constantly strive in their work and actively participate in competitive movements to contribute to the development of each agency, unit, enterprise, and the country. Thereby, they can improve their income and the lives of themselves and their families," the General Secretary stated.

Firstly , in directing and implementing trade union activities, the Vietnam Trade Union must be a socio-political organization, operating in a socialist-oriented market economy led by the Communist Party of Vietnam and managed by the State.

Trade unions have the responsibility to represent, care for, and protect the legitimate and legal rights and interests of workers, and trade union activities are under the comprehensive and absolute leadership of the Party.

"How to organize trade unions at all levels to truly be the nucleus to gather and unite the working class and laborers throughout the country," the General Secretary emphasized.

Second , continue to innovate the content, methods of propaganda, mobilization, education, and training of cadres, civil servants, public employees, and workers to improve their qualifications, expertise, professional skills, political awareness, patriotism, national pride, and self-respect...

Third , trade unions at all levels must affirm their role as representatives of workers, caring for and protecting the legitimate and legal interests of workers. In particular, General Secretary Nguyen Phu Trong suggested that the Vietnam General Confederation of Labor pay attention to, research, and develop long-term, strategic welfare programs.

"The care of the union must be specific, thoughtful, practical, paying attention to every meal and sleep, clearly understanding the joys and sorrows of union members, workers and their families," Mr. Trong emphasized.

Fourth , strongly innovate the organizational model, content and operation methods of the Trade Union to suit the labor structure, business types, needs and aspirations of workers and international integration requirements.

Fifth , the Trade Union must promote its role and perform better its function of participating in Party building and the political system, and at the same time consider this the responsibility and political right of the Trade Union organization.

Tuoitre.vn