Taking good care of employees during Tet

In recent days, provincial Labor Union has continuously organized delegations to visit and support trade unionists and workers getting sick, hit by accidents  or cases with extremely difficult circumstances. Along with that, the unit donated many Trade Union shelters and directed trade union locals to review year-end bonus salary levels in order to promptly take care of and ensure that all workers enjoy Tet. Provincial Department of Labor, War Invalids and Social Affairs (DOLISA) has also received Tet bonus plans from 1,000 enterprises in 2023 with better salary and bonus levels compared than the previous years.

Joy at the end of the year

Provincial Labor Union has promptly reviewed and organized delegations to each lodging facility and enterprise to visit, encourage and support employees who are facing difficulties, illnesses, accidents... In recent days, provincial Labor Union has promptly supported dozens of cases, with the average level of VND 10 million per person from provincial Fund for Workers with extremely Difficult Circumstances. The above meaningful gifts showed that provincial trade unions at all levels have always cared employees, taking care of them physically and mentally.

According to provincial DOLISA, nearly 1,000 businesses have reported Tet bonuses for workers that are equivalent to the previous year. In picture: Production activities at Orion Vina Food Co., Ltd., in Ben Cat town-based My Phuoc 2 Industrial Park

After days of prolonged illness, Tran Ngoc Chau, a worker at Yazaki EDS Co., Ltd. in Di An city and her family were almost exhausted. During the most difficult times, she received open arms of support from trade unions at all levels. With tears in her eyes, Mrs. Chau shared: "My family's situation was difficult, and I received help from colleagues and the company's trade union local many times. Now, my family is being visited and given gifts by leaders of provincial Labor Union. I am really touched". Similarly, Nguyen Dai Phuc, other worker of the company unfortunately had an accident on the way to work 2 months ago and had to undergo many surgeries. He could not afford to pay hospital bills, so he was supported by the company's trade union local with nearly VND 200 million. “It is only in the most difficult times that we see the great role of the Trade Union. If I didn't receive the attention and care from trade unions at all levels, I don't know how my family would live now", Mr. Phuc shared.

With the case of Nguyen Thi Minh, a clerk at Hoa Huong Duong Kindergarten in Thu Dau Mot city’s Phu My ward, the happiness on the last day of the year is also multiplied during this year's Tet holiday when she and her 2 children celebrate Tet in their new house. Her husband passed away early. For the past few years, she and her 2 kids have had to live with relatives. With an income being just enough to take care of life, Mrs. Minh never thought that one day she would have enough money to build a house for herself and her 2 children. Then the program "Trade Union Shelter" called her name, and she burst into happiness. “The joy is indescribable. I hope many trade unionists and workers in the province will continue receiving joy as my family right now", Mrs. Minh said.

Along with taking care of workers with difficult circumstances, provincial Labor Union is focusing on Tet care activities for trade unionists and workers. This year, provincial Labor Union will support workers living away from home with 1,000 train tickets to return home to celebrate Tet. Its units will also donate thousands of bus tickets to the Mekong Delta, Central Highlands, and Central provinces. Recently, provincial People's Committee has approved a program to support Tet gifts in 2024 for workers with difficult circumstances to stay in Binh Duong to celebrate Tet. It is expected that the province will give 47,744 gifts worth VND1million each for needy laborers, an increase of 1,000 gifts compared to 2023.

All workers enjoying Tet

In 2023, many enterprises faced difficulties in production and business, making many employees worry about Tet bonus salary levels. Knowing the concern, provincial trade unions at all levels and DoLISA have coordinated with local authorities to propagandize and work with enterprises. Pham Van Tuyen, Deputy Director of provincial DoLISA said: "The department has issued an official dispatch on reporting the situation of wages, bonuses and labor relations in enterprises and Official Dispatch No. 12636/SLDTBXH-CSLD dated December 15, 2023 on urging 2^nd reports on the situation of salaries, bonuses and labor relations in enterprises, sent them to provincial Industrial Parks Management Board; the People's Committees and Divisions of Labor, Invalids and Social Affairs of districts, towns and cities; enterprises in the province to request relevant sectors and enterprises to implement contents under the Ministry of Labor, Invalids and Social Affairs ‘Official Dispatch No. 5068/LDTBXHQHLDTL dated November 24, 2023.

Nguyen Kim Loan, Chairwoman of provincial Labor Union visits and offers gifts to female worker Tran Ngoc Chau

Through general review, the province has had 998 enterprises reporting Tet bonuses for employees. The average Tet bonus level is VND 6.8 million. The lowest level is VND 4.68 million. It is known that the average Tet bonus levels in 2023 were between VND 7.18 million and VND 4.48 million.

Although facing difficulties in production, many enterprises, especially those in garment and wood industries, in Thuan An city, Di An city, Tan Uyen city... have still ensured year-end bonus, salary levels for employees. Le Minh Hoang, Vice-Chairman of Tan Uyen city’s Labor Union  said that Tan Uyen is a locality with the largest number of enterprises producing in the wood industry in the province, but up to now, no enterprise has announced not to give Tet bonuses for employees. This is a good sign for all employees at the end of the year.

In Ben Cat town, the expected State budget spending for the number of needy workers staying in the locality to celebrate Tet in 2024 will decrease compared to 2023, but Tran Thi Thao, Vice-Chairwoman of the town’s People's Committee affirmed: "The locality has a plan to take care of all workers in the area with many sources, not leaving any trade unionist or worker without Tet. Whether staying in the locality or returning home to celebrate Tet, employees will get good care during the traditional Tet holiday."

ACCORDING TO INITIAL STATISTICS, THERE ARE 19 ENTERPRISES WITHOUT TET BONUS PLANS, DUE TO HAVING MANY DIFFICULTIES IN PRODUCTION DURING THE YEAR. HOWEVER, THESE ARE SMALL ENTERPRISES WITH FEW EMPLOYEES. WITH THESE ENTERPRISES, PROVINCIAL DOLISA HAS COORDINATED WITH LOCALITIES AND PROVINCIAL LABOUR UNION TO REVIEW AND GRASP THE SITUATION. IF EMPLOYEES ARE ENCOUNTERING DIFFICULTIES, THERE WILL BE TET SUPPORT FROM SOCIALIZED SOURCES.

Reported by Quang Tam-Translated by Kim Tin