Warming workers’ heart

In the face of difficulties of employees when working hours are reduced, contracts are suspended, jobs are lost, due to enterprises encountering difficulties in production, lack of orders, in addition to support policies from enterprises, local authorities, trade unions, provincial Labor Union has also mobilized units and enterprises to join hands in supporting and caring for employees, helping them overcome difficulties.

Sharing difficulties with employees

Recently, 50 workers living in a lodging facility in Thu Dau Mot city’s Phu Loi ward have been delighted to receive gifts from provincial Labor Union, funded by the Bank for Agriculture and Rural Development (Agribank)’s Binh Duong branch. Each gift included VND 1 million and necessities. Nguyen Thi Song, a worker at Bao Tien Co., Ltd. in Thu Dau Mot city said that like many other workers here, over the past 2 years, the Covid-19 pandemic had a heavy impact, making her family's job and income precarious. This year, her family’s life has not been improved when her company is facing difficulties…

Leaders of provincial Labor Union and Agribank’s Binh Duong branch visit and offer gifts to workers at the lodging facility in Thu Dau Mot city’s Phu Loi ward

To improve income, maintain life and daily expenses, in addition to working time at the company, Song and many other workers at the lodging facility have taken part-time jobs or collected bottles to buy for money. “When hearing that provincial Trade Union and Agribank’s Binh Duong branch will visit and offer gifts to workers at the lodging facility, I and workers here are very happy. These are very meaningful and practical gifts for us at the moment,” said Mrs. Song.

Understanding employees ‘difficulties, many owners of the lodging facilities in the province have also reduced rental charges by VND300,000-VND 500,000  per month per room. Le Thi Tuyet, owner of the lodging facility where Mrs. Song is staying, shared that most lodgers are immigrant workers. Through information from lodgers, she learned that over the past few months, due to companies facing difficulties, many people have had no jobs and income. “From the mobilization of the local government and trade union, my family has decided to reduce rental charges by VND300,000 - VND 500,000 per month per room. In addition, my family will also prepare more Tet gifts and lucky money for lodgers", said Mrs. Tuyet.

Previously, provincial Labor Union gave 100 gifts worth VND 1 million each, funded by Mcredit Company, for disadvantaged workers at Tuong An Wood Production Co., Ltd. in Ben Cat town.

Joining hands to take care

Tran Thi Quynh Chau, Deputy Director of Agribank’s Binh Duong branch said that in addition to performing professional tasks, Agribank’s Binh Duong branch has also implemented social welfare activities, supporting difficult cases. Agribank’s Binh Duong branch has also accompanied provincial Labor Union in organizing a support program for unemployed workers at the lodging facilities in Thu Dau Mot city with 50 gifts worth VND 1 million each. Through the program, Agribank’s Binh Duong Branch wanted to share some difficulties with employees while hoping that they will soon stabilize their jobs in the near future. Also according to Quynh Chau, in 2022, Agribank’s Binh Duong branch has spent more than VND 3.2 billion on social welfare activities.

According to provincial Labor Union, many enterprises have had difficulties in production, due to the lack of orders so that they have had to reduce working hours, arrange for employees to take rotational leave or negotiate with employees to suspend labor contracts or take unpaid leave. All have affected workers' lives, making them get more difficult. Nguyen Hoang Bao Tran, Vice-Chairwoman of  provincial Labor Union said that in order to share difficulties with employees, provincial Labor Union has also directed trade unions at all levels in the province to promptly grasp thoughts and aspirations so that measures can be taken to protect and support job connections for employees. Provincial Labor Union has also directed trade unions at all levels to actively coordinate with local authorities and mass organizations in propagandizing and mobilizing owners of the local lodging facilities to exempt, reduce, and extend rental charges for employees.

Also according to provincial Labor Union, during the Tet (Lunar New Year) festival 2023, the unit will mobilize resources to organize and direct trade unions at all levels in the province to organize many activities to take Tet care of employees. Specifically, provincial Labor Union coordinated with departments, sectors and localities to organize 2 “Trade Union Tet market-days” in 2023 to provide workers with essential items at preferential prices and ensure quality in areas with a large number of workers. This program will be associated with many "Tet reunion - Spring cohesion" activities, contests on Tet decoration of trade unions at all levels in the province.

In addition, cultural programs for employees, spring fun activities, folk games, quizzes with prizes, lucky draw; free legal consultation programs, medical examination activities will be organized by provincial Labor Union, all-level trade unions, localities, units and enterprises. They will also offer gift vouchers, gifts to workers suffering from fatal diseases, hit by occupational accidents or having difficult circumstances; give train and bus tickets for nearly 8,000 workers who can’t return their hometowns for Ter people. Provincial Labor Union has also mobilized enterprises and welfare units to join hands in supporting Tet care for trade unionists and employees with difficult circumstances.

Reported by Do Trong-Translated by Kim Tin