Join hands to support disadvantaged workers

In recent days, many trade union members, workers, and companies continue to join forces and support the Provincial Support Fund for workers having particularly difficult circumstances with the desire to share the burden of workers who are unfortunately sick, have serious illnesses, or are in particularly difficult circumstances. Trade unions at all levels in the province continue to appeal and disseminate information to receive support and help more disadvantaged situations in the future.

Leaders of the Vietnam General Confederation of Labor and provincial leaders visit, give gifts and support to Nguyen Ngoc Hanh, a worker of Asuzac Company (VSIP 1, Thuan An City)

Aimed at poor workers

The Provincial Support Fund for workers having particularly difficult circumstances was established in 2020, has promptly supported 1,065 workers at a level of 4 to 10 million VND/case, with a total of amount of more than 10 billion VND. In order to have a stable source of funds and continue to support and care for workers having particularly difficult circumstances, sickness, labor accidents, serious diseases… living and working in the province, Provincial Labor Confederation has issued an open letter calling for all workers, agencies, organizations and businesses to continue joining hands and supporting the fund. In 2024, each employee should support and contribute at least 12,000 VND/year (equivalent to 1,000 VND/month).

Doan Nam Le Thien, Vice Chairman of Di An City Confederation of Labor, shared: This is a very meaningful source of funds in addition to other care activities that trade unions and local authorities spend to care for workers having particularly difficult circumstances. In Di An City alone, every year dozens of workers are supported by this fund at the right time, thereby helping them somewhat alleviate some of their difficulties in life. The common desire of all levels of trade unions in the province is to continue to join hands to help the fund to grow stronger, supporting more workers who unfortunately suffer from accidents, illnesses, and serious diseases.

“Immediately after the Provincial Labor Confederation sent an open letter to all levels of trade unions, continuing to mobilize and call for joint support from many sources, Labor Confederation of Di An City disseminated it to all grassroots trade unions and workers in the area. We are also very happy to receive many supports from trade union members. After more than a week, a total of 285 units, businesses and individuals initially made support with a total amount of more than 403 million VND. The maximum donation was from 2 to 3 million VND; or smaller was a few hundred thousand dong. Whether big or small, we cherish the golden hearts turning towards workers, especially poor workers," said Thien.

The joint support of each individual is continuously updated publicly and transparently by trade unions in the province. Nguyen Thi Thanh, Di An High School's Trade Union (Di An City), who recently donated more than 1 million VND to this fund, said: “Everyone has difficult times. When they receive this sentiment, they will feel warm and empowered to stand up and overcome difficulties. Even though I don't contribute much, I'm very happy to make a little contribution to this meaningful cause."

Sharing the same thoughts as Thanh, Tran Thi Hong Hanh, from An Binh Junior High School’s Trade Union (Di An City), donated nearly 1 million VND to the fund and said: “I personally hope that this fund will continue to be supported by many people to help many poor workers, especially those who are far away from home when they unfortunately get sick. This fund is very meaningful and has great humanity, so it needs to be maintained and developed."

Lessen difficulties

Over the past years, whenever we heard that there were trade union members or workers in particularly difficult circumstances, in trouble or illness who needed help and support, provincial Trade Union staff immediately found out and wholeheartedly visited them. Thereby, the fund has warmed the hearts of thousands of workers and their families.

For example, during the recent Lunar New Year 2024, the Provincial Support Fund for workers having particularly difficult circumstances promptly supported hundreds of cases in the province. Besides receiving support from 4 to 10 million VND/person depending on circumstances, illness, and Tet gifts, workers also received the hearts, spiritual encouragement of leaders at all levels, causing many people to shed tears. Ly Thi Huong, Lam Duong Company (Tan Phuoc Khanh ward, Tan Uyen city) shared: “After a period of serious illness and having to spend a lot of money on treatment, during the Tet holiday, I was visited, encouraged and supported by leaders of Provincial Labor Federation and local authorities with a support of 10 million VND. Therefore, my family had a fuller, more cozy Tet. I personally hope that the fund will grow stronger, so that many poor workers like us can receive help in their most difficult times."

Similarly, Nguyen Ngoc Hanh, a worker of Asuzac Company (VSIP 1, Thuan An City) could not hold back her tears when on the days leading up to Tet, she was visited by provincial leaders and Labor Confederation at all levels and received 10 million VND from the Provincial Support Fund for workers having particularly difficult circumstances. "Besides material things, I personally did not expect that leaders at all levels would come to my room to visit and encourage me, giving me a lot of strength to overcome illness and difficulties during this period," Hanh expressed her emotions.

Sharing about the meaning of the Provincial Support Fund for workers having particularly difficult circumstances, Nguyen Hoang Bao Tran, Permanent Vice Chairwoman of Provincial Labor Confederation, said that although trade unions at all levels have made many efforts in their activities, but the number of workers having particularly difficult circumstances in the province is still very large and they need to receive support in the near future. Not only the unfortunate cases of illness, accidents... but also many other disadvantaged cases are also supported by trade unions at all levels. The recent Covid-19 pandemic has left serious consequences for many young children who have lost their parents and need support to help them overcome difficulties and grow up. Trade unions at all levels in the province are making efforts to stand side by side with these cases, including appealing for donations to develop the fund.

Reported by Quang Tam - Translated by Ngoc Huynh