Trade unions affirm core role in strengthening great national unity bloc

The achievements recorded in the 2023-2026 period provide an important foundation for the Viet Nam Trade Union to enter a new term with the determination to continue comprehensive reform, build a strong organisation, and accompany union members and workers in joining efforts to successfully realise the country’s development goals.

Affirming the role of representation, care and companionship with workers

During the 2023-2026 period, the global and regional situation evolved rapidly, complexly, and unpredictably. Strategic competition among major powers, geopolitical conflicts, supply chain fluctuations, the trends of green transition and digital transformation, and the rapid development of artificial intelligence have profoundly affected the global labour market. At home, despite the positive post-pandemic recovery of the economy and society, many enterprises continue to face difficulties, while the employment, income, and living standards of some workers remain unstable.

Against that backdrop, with a high sense of responsibility and great efforts, trade unions at all levels have synchronously implemented many solutions to effectively carry out the Resolution of the 13th Viet Nam Trade Union Congress, achieving important and comprehensive results across various fields.

A notable highlight has been the continued affirmation of the trade union’s role in representing, caring for, and protecting the legitimate and lawful rights and interests of union members and workers. This has been reflected in the proactive and active proposal and drafting of the amended Trade Union Law; responsible participation in the formulation and completion of the Law on Social Insurance, the Law on Employment, and other policies and laws directly related to workers; and the active and resolute proposal of minimum wage adjustments.

Dialogue and collective bargaining activities have continued to be promoted in a more substantive manner, helping improve welfare, working conditions, and harmonious, stable, and progressive labour relations in enterprises. Trade unions at all levels have signed more than 6,000 new collective labour agreements.

Activities to care for the lives of union members and workers have continued to be carried out widely through many creative, practical, and humane models. Programmes such as “Tet Sum vay” (Reunion Tet), “Workers’ Month”, “Trade Union Tet Market”, “Trade Union Shelter”, “Welfare for Union Members”, and “Trade Union Meal” have become an important source of spiritual support for the millions of union members and workers nationwide. The “Trade Union Meal” programme in particular is a new model which, after two years of implementation, has been carried out by more than 20,000 grassroots trade unions, benefiting more than 5 million union members and workers.

Patriotic emulation movements have continued to serve as an important driving force, inspiring the spirit of creative labour among union members and workers. From core movements such as “Good Labour, Creative Labour”, “Green-Clean-Beautiful, ensuring occupational safety and health”, “Good at workplace duties, responsible at home”, and “Excellent advisory work, effective service”, associated with digital transformation and innovation, more than 383,000 initiatives were applied in production and work during the 2023-2026 period, thereby helping to improve labour productivity and generating benefits worth more than 40 trillion VND for enterprises and the country.

Communication and education work has continued to be renewed strongly in a more modern, accessible, and effective direction. Trade unions at all levels have promoted the application of digital technology and social networks, and developed many modern communication products, creating broad influence among union members and society. The Viet Nam General Confederation of Labour advised the Secretariat of the Party Central Committee to issue Directive No. 58-CT/TW on January 10, 2026, creating an important political foundation for renewing and improving the effectiveness of communication, political and ideological education, and legal education, thereby helping to enhance political steadfastness, legal awareness, patriotism, and the aspiration for dedication among union members and workers.

A prominent mark of the 2023-2026 period was the decisive and synchronous implementation of the restructuring and streamlining of the trade union apparatus in line with the resolutions of the Party Central Committee. The trade union organisational system has been strongly restructured from the central to grassroots levels towards a leaner model, reducing intermediary layers and increasing direct connection with grassroots trade unions. Following the restructuring, the organisational apparatus has gradually been operating in a more stable and effective manner, reducing recurrent expenditure and significantly cutting the number of full-time trade union officials across the system.

Determination to pursue comprehensive reform in the new term

The achievements recorded over the past nearly three years have continued to affirm the position and role of the Viet Nam Trade Union in the political system and social life. However, reality has also posed many new requirements for the trade union organisation in the context of digital transformation, the development of the private economy, and deeper international integration, especially the requirements arising from the goal of double-digit growth.

The 14th Viet Nam Trade Union Congress for the 2026-2031 term is of special significance, marking a new stage of development for the organisation. With the motto of “Solidarity–Democracy–Discipline–Innovation–Development”, the congress will discuss and determine the goals, orientations, and tasks of trade union activities for the 2026-2031 period, with a focus on developing union members; improving the organisational model; enhancing operational effectiveness; effectively performing the role of representing, caring for, and protecting the legitimate and lawful rights and interests of union members and workers promoting democracy at the workplace; and encouraging workers to innovate, take the lead in applying science and technology, build new productive forces, and improve labour productivity.

To realise these goals, the trade union organisation is expected to launch a new emulation movement; focus on two breakthroughs; and build and implement three programmes, four projects, and five groups of key tasks and solutions.

Accordingly, the new emulation movement titled “Good Labour, High Productivity, Good Income” will be launched on the basis of the “Good Labour, Creative Labour” movement, aiming to strongly inspire the spirit of innovation, improve labour productivity, and raise workers’ incomes.

The two breakthroughs will focus on improving the quality of trade union officials, especially full-time officials and chairpersons of grassroots trade unions; and promoting the application of science and technology and digital transformation in trade union activities, production, and business.

The three major programmes of the term include: developing union members, establishing grassroots trade unions, and participating in Party building in enterprises; and renewing trade union finance and improving welfare for union members; trade unions accompanying the government in improving labour productivity and realising the goal of double-digit growth.

In addition, four key projects will be implemented: improving the effectiveness of dialogue, collective bargaining and the building of labour relations; participating in the development of new productive forces and promoting jobs with stable incomes; digital transformation in trade union activities; and building an open, flexible, and dynamic trade union organisational model.

The five main groups of tasks and solutions include: improving the effectiveness of representation, care, and protection for workers; promoting the trade union’s role in participating in state management and socio-economic management; strengthening communication and education; building a strong trade union organisation; and continuing to renew the working methods of trade unions at all levels.

As it enters the new term, the trade union organisation faces new opportunities and prospects, along with many difficulties and challenges that demand a high level of reform. With a strong sense of responsibility towards union members, workers, and the country, every trade union official, from the central to grassroots levels, will continue to uphold the glorious tradition of nearly a century of the Viet Nam Trade Union and resolve to successfully implement the Resolution of the 14th Viet Nam Trade Union Congress, thereby contributing to building a peaceful, independent, democratic, prosperous, civilised, and happy Viet Nam.