The statement was made by member of Party Central Committee (PCC) and President of the Vietnam General Confederation of Labour (VGCL) Nguyen Dinh Khang while addressing a discussion within the framework of the 13th National Party Congress on January 28.
He also noted that the development of trade unions at grassroots levels and the number of members have been enhanced with many methods, focusing on the non-state business sector. The number of trade union members has increased over the past five years, from 9.6 million in 2016 to 10.5 million in 2019. This figure decreased in 2020 to over 10.35 million and 124,000 grassroot trade unions due to the impact of COVID-19 pandemic and natural disasters. Trade unions have paid much attention to the development of Party members and set out measures to increase the number of Party members who are workers in the non-state business sector. During the 2016-2020 period, over 246,000 oustanding trade union members were added to the Party, of which direct workers accounted for around 8%,
Trade unions at all levels have focused on improving quality at grassroot level, building strong trade unions and strengthening weak units. Trade union cadres have been improved both in their quality and quantity, meeting the requirements of the new context.
Trade union activities have focused on the core task of representing and protecting the legal and legitimate rights and interests of workers, especially female and disadvantaged ones and those working in industrial zones. The interests of and benefits to trade union members and employees have been increasingly promoted. Trade unions at all levels have constantly researched, created, proposed and organised many activities that have brought many benefits to their members. Propaganda, mobilisation and education of employees have witnessed positive changes by effectively using social networks to facilitate communication within trade unions. Patriotic emulation movements have been widely implemented among workers, civil servants and employees around the country.
Over the past five years, over one million initiatives, technical innovations and production solutions have been deployed with a total value of over VND198 trillion. The Trade Union has continued to affirm its role as part of State management and socio-economic governance; examination, inspection, supervision and social criticism activities; propaganda and the mobilisation of trade union members and employees to abide by the guidelines, policies and laws.
The mode of trade union operation has been adjusted through the renewal an adaptation of guidelines and resolutions, towards selecting specific and pressing issues , setting resolutions and directing their implementation. The executive direction and working style among officials and employees has been renewed; meanwhile decentralisation has been enhanced in association with inspection and supervision. Theoretical research on workers and trade unions has been increased and administrative reform in the trade union system has rmade new progress.
The country has now about 24.5 million wage employees, of which those working in enterprises account for around 60%. Workers’ professional qualifications have been increasingly improved so that the modern working style and discipline have been further developed. There are now more work opportunities. Workers’ material and spiritual lives have been continuously improved. Despite accounting for only 14% of the population and 27% of the social workforce, the Vietnamese working class has created over 65% of gross social product and over 70% of the State budget annually.
In the coming years, operational conditions and the environment of the trade union organisations as well as the development of the working class are expected to witness important changes. Vietnamese trade unions and the working class will have to face numerous challenges. In order to make the Vietnam Trade Union forever deserve its status as a solid socio-political foundation of the Party and State as well as its importantce to civil servants, workers and employees in terms of constantly developing, becoming a prerequisite for the success of national renewal, industrialisation and modernisation as expected by Party General Secretary and President Nguyen Phu Trong at the 12th National Congress of Vietnam Trade Union, Trade Unions have proposed several important solutions to the Party Central Committee and Congress:
Firstly, it is essential to enhance and innovate the Party’s leadership for trade union organsiation and operation as well as creatings favourable conditions to promote the role of trade unions in performing their functions and duties in accordance with the Constitution and laws, especially their core missions.
In addition, the relevant agencies need to orient and manage the formation and operation of the employees’ organisations in enterprises. It is essential to continue to lead the perfecting and implementation of policies related to salaries, wages, social welfare and other services so that the working class can perform its role as the main driver of national industrialisation and modernisation while enjoying the fruits of this glorious cause.
Secondly, the PCC will review Resolution No.20 dated 2008 of the tenth PCC and Conclusion No.79 date 2013 on building the Vietnamese working class during the process of national industrialisation and modernisation as well as studying the issuance of the resolution on building the working class in this new period. The Politburo will soon adopt a project on “renewing the organisation and operation of Vietnam Trade Unions in the new situation”, as a basis for the issuance of a thematic and comprehensive resolution on strengthening the Party's leadership over Trade Unions in order to meet the requirements of the new situation.
Thirdly, content related to building and rectifying a pure and strong Party and political system should emphasise the requirement of maintaining and promoting the nature of the working class; developing itheir deology, stance, morality, sense of organization and discipline; and focusing on fostering the admitting of excellent workers to the Party, planning and training them into key cadres at all levels. It is crucial to enhance practical summation and theoretical study on the working class in the new period; attaching great importance to propagandising the historical role, mission and glorious tradition of the Vietnamese working class within the Party, the political system and the entire society; a common awareness of the requirements and responsibilities of the whole Party, the whole political system and society to join hands in the building of a strong working class.
Fourthly, the State continues to institutionalise the Party's views and policies on trade unions, the working class and employees into law; as well as create the best legal corridor to protect workers, ensure human rights and citizenship and further uphold the role of trade unions and the working class in the cause of national construction and defence.
