"Strongly turning towards grassroots level, taking care of the life, protect legitimate rights and interests of union members and workers, focusing on negotiating and signing collective labor agreements (CLA), especially in enterprises outside the state sector... ” were outstanding results of trade union activities in Binh Duong province in the first 6 months of 2019.
Mai Thanh Thao, Chairwoman of Binh Duong Industrial Park Trade Union, gives gifts to workers having special difficult circumstances.
For the benefits of trade union members
In the first 6 months, there were 125 new signed CLAs, an increase of 66 ones compared to the same period in 2018; increasing the number of effective CLAs to 1,653, reaching nearly 60% target. In particular, there were 16 timber enterprises that participated in signing agreements to build harmonious and progressive labor relations in enterprises; better care and protect workers' rights. This was a highlight in the activities of all-levels trade unions in the province.
It should be added that, CLA of timber enterprises’ group specify employers and employees’ commitments of bonus and mid-shift meals, and implementation of a number of policies of enterprises participating in this agreement. Specifically, enterprises shall pay bonuses at year-end to workers, who have a full working time of 12 months and complete assigned works, at least 1 month of contractual wages or more; in case of less than 12 months, the bonus shall be calculated according to the working time. Businesses shall have bonuses after Tet holidays for employees returning to work on time. Besides, enterprises support mid-shift meals, per meal from VND 17,000 or more; ensure a nutritious meal and changing menu... This agreement is a commitment to better welfare to keep labor productivity stable.
At the same time, many activities to represent and protect legitimate rights and interests of union members and workers received much attention. Grassroots trade unions proposed, negotiated, and improved the quality of meals for workers. 1,971 private businesses having trade unions provided mid-shift meals worth VND 15,000 per serving or more. Provincial Labor Federation visited and gave 590 gifts to disadvantaged workers suffering from serious diseases and labor accidents, with a total value of over VND500 million. The union proposed provincial People's Committee to give 10,350 gifts to workers, who have difficult circumstances and cannot afford returning home on Tet holidays, with a total value of nearly VND 5.2 billion.
To renew methods
In 2019, Provincial Labor Federation launched the emulation movement "Innovation, creativity and effectiveness in trade union activities" among all levels of trade union in the province. According to the assessment, although it has just been implemented, the movement has promoted the intelligence, encouraged officials and union members to make proposals, propose initiatives and solutions to improve the effectiveness, position, and prestige of trade unions in the new situation. Many units registered for this emulation movement with innovative contents and forms, namely: "Renewing the content, method of trade union activities of business sector", "Savings books for workers", "Voluntary youths, self-defense forces at enterprises”...
Truong Thi Bich Hanh, Chairwoman of Provincial Labor Federation, emphasized: “In the coming time, trade unions will continue to actively collaborate with employers to well implement democratic regulations at grassroots level, organize dialogues, and contribute to building harmonious, stable and progressive labor relations in enterprises. At the same time, all-level trade unions focus on developing membership, establishing grassroots trade unions, employing union management software, organizing workers' conferences; implementing the overall scheme "Renewing the organization, content, and method of operation of trade unions in Binh Duong province in the new situation"...
With the goal "For the benefits of union members", Provincial Labor Federation signed and cooperated with 6 units, bringing the total to 40 units implementing welfare programs for union members and workers. At present, there are more than 251,000 union members and workers, who have been benefited from welfare programs, bought goods with from 5% to 40% discounted prices.
Reported by Thu Thao – Translated by Ngoc Huynh
