Tet comes early to trade unionists, workers with difficult circumstances

In addition to provincial Trade Union’s large-scale Tet care programs such as organizing “zero-dong” markets, Trade Union Tet markets, giving train and bus tickets for workers living away from home, taking Tet care of workers with workplace accidents and fatal illnesses has received special attention from localities, mass organizations and trade unions at all levels in the province.

Joining hands to support

On the days leading up to Tet, provincial Labor Union has coordinated with departments, sectors and local authorities to visit each business and lodging facility in order to encourage and share with those who have extremely difficult cases. These were not simply Tet gifts, but also provided great motivation for trade unionists and employees to overcome difficult times. Receiving the sincerity, many employees were very touched with happiness.

Leaders of provincial Labor Union and representatives of provincial People's Council’s Cultural and Social Committee visit and offer Tet gifts to Tran Thi Man, a trade unionist of STELLAPHARM Joint Venture Co.Ltd. - Branch 1 in Thuan An city

Recently, when receiving support from provincial Fund for Workers with extremely difficult circumstances" and a Tet gift from provincial People's Council’s Cultural and Social Committee, Tran Thi Man, a worker of STELLAPHARM Joint Venture Co.Ltd. - Branch 1 in Thuan An city shared: "If not being supported by all-level trade unions, my family will have a very difficult time because of not having enough money for treatment. Right now I can only say thank you". Recently, after getting married, Mrs. Man suffered from breast cancer and had to be treated with a lot of money. Knowing that Man's family situation was very difficult, the company’s trade union local and leaders supported VND20million for the family. The company’s trade union local also called for enterprise to join hands in supporting her. In a short time, she received nearly VND 100 million to pay for hospital bills.

Although being very busy with Tet care activities and organizing rehearsals for Tet fun and entertainment programs for 600 workers,  Nguyen Duy Phuong, Chairman of Compass II Co., Ltd.’s trade union local in Thuan An city immediately put aside his work and came to the hospital to visit and encourage Le Thi Tu, a company worker from Quang Binh province. Mr. Phuong said: "Mrs. Tu was previously weak and often got sick. After being examined and treated, she diagnosed with uterine fibroid, vestibular disorder, uterine cancer and many other diseases. In addition to Tet gifts from the trade union local and company, Mr. Phuong quickly called on all employees in the company to join hands in supporting the worker. She was supported by her colleagues with VND 40 million within 3 days.

In recent days, the spirit of Nguyen Ngoc Hanh, a worker of Asuzac Co., Ltd. in Thuan An city has become more optimistic. She shared: "On Tet, everyone wants to be healthy to welcome spring. For people like me who are sick and have to undergo cancer treatment, we can't help worrying. However, I felt relieved when leaders of provincial Labor Union, all-level authorities and colleagues visited and encouraged them".

Care activities improved

This year, the total cost of activities to take care of workers on Tet from provincial Trade Union is up to VND320 billion. Particularly, 44,400 workers will be given Tet gifts worth VND1million each from provincial People's Committee budget. Along with that, provincial Trade Unions at all levels have organized practical activities to take care of workers. Nguyen Van Duc, Chairman of the Vietnam - Singapore Industrial Park (VSIP)’s Trade Union said: "One month before the Tet (Lunar New Year) festival, we have a full list of workers with extremely difficult circumstances to take care of. For these cases, the Trade Union has planned to visit and support each business, lodging facility with appropriate levels. Next, the unit has mobilized all trade union locals to have activities to take care of trade unionists and workers at enterprises. It is very gratifying that according to statistics, over 90% of trade union locals have Tet gifts and Tet care activities for employees".

This year, entertainment activities, Trade Union Tet markets and Trade Union welfare markets organized by trade unions at all levels have had many changes towards being more effective than in previous years. Typically, the Trade Union welfare market just held by the VSIP’s Trade Union attracted tens of thousands of people for shopping. Accordingly, this year's Tet holiday, VSIP’s Trade Union donated 5,000 Tet gifts to trade unionists with difficult circumstances. However, instead of giving gifts, the Trade Union provided workers with shopping vouchers worth VND500,000 each at the Trade Union Tet market. The market not only sold quality goods with a variety of Tet products, but also offered discounts of 5% - 30% per product.

The above way of the VSIP’s Trade Union was highly appreciated by workers when participating in the Trade Union Tet market. Nguyen Thanh Thuy, a worker at Matuei Vietnam Precsion Co., Ltd. in Thuan An city said: "With the vouncher of VND500,000, I’m free to buy necessary items for Tet at the Trade Union Tet market with cheap prices and diverse products. Instead of receiving Tet gifts, employees really like this way of giving gifts".

Along with giving gifts, entertainment activities for employees during Tet organized by trade unions at all levels organize are very attractive and meaningful. Provincial Industrial Parks’Trade Union has just organized a fashion contest from recycled materials towards green environmental protection; a “banh chung” and “banh tet” cooking contest with the participation of thousands of workers. Ngo Bao Long, from the trade union local of Hung Phuoc Co., Ltd. in Di An city commented: "Such Tet playgrounds have brought a Tet atmosphere to everyone. Even though I can’t afford to return home for Tet, the “banh chung” and “banh tet” cooking contest helped me feel the flavors of Tet in Binh Duong."

Reported by Quang Tam-Translated by Kim Tin