Warmness of "Spring Train" program

Yesterday (February 4), the 2024 "Spring Train" program organized by provincial Labor Union took place in a joyful and cozy atmosphere at the Cultural Center of Di An ward in Di An city, aiming at bringing workers back home to celebrate Tet with their families. The event was attended by  Huynh Thanh Xuan, Vice-President of the Vietnam General Confederation of Labor; Nguyen Hoang Thao, Permanent Vice-Secretary of provincial Party Committee; Bui Thanh Nhan, Member of provincial Party Standing Committee, Head of provincial Party Committee's Mass Mobilization Commission; Nguyen Thi My Hang, Chairwoman of provincial Fatherland Front Committee; Nguyen Truong Nhat Phuong, Vice-Chairwoman of provincial People's Council and leaders of departments, sectors and local authorities in the province.

Warming the hearts of children living far away from home

Some people have not been able to return home to celebrate Tet with their families for 18 years. Some look forward every day to return home to see their children again while some look forward to every second to be able to go home and hug their parents on the day before Tet. Their wishes have been resolved and supported by provincial trade unions at all levels, helping warm their hearts and strengthen their faith in the New Year.

Workers happily board the train to return home for Tet

Pham Thi Thuy, a worker of Cativina Vietnam Co., Ltd. in Di An city, from Ha Tinh province said that she has not returned home to celebrate Tet with her family for 3 years. There are three brothers in the family, but they all work far away and rarely have the opportunity to reunite, even on Tet holidays. "This year, all three brothers promised to come home to celebrate Tet with their parents because this could be the Tet holiday to meet their father", Mrs. Thuy shared.

Being unable to hold back her tears, Mrs. Thuy said she has worked in Binh Duong for many years, but her family’s income was only enough to raise their children. Her parents are old and weak and often sick. A few months ago, her father was hospitalized, due to heart failure and cancer. Hence, this Tet she has longed to return home. This year, work has been a bit difficult, so her family’s income is unstable. She and her husband discussed that if they did not receive support from the trade union to return home, they would collect money to take a car home. The day her name was called by the trade union local to have her Tet train ticket approved, she could not sleep all night.

Nguyen Si Vinh, from Ha Tinh province, a worker at Kim Xuong Vietnam Shoe Co.Ltd. in Thu Dau Mot city was emotional when he stepped on the "Spring Train". Mr. Vinh said that after 19 years of being away from home to set himself up in business, he only celebrated Tet with his parents a few times. “My parents are over 70 years old this year and their health is weak. My mother calls every day and counts the days when you will return. I've cried a lot these past few days. Now, I just hope the train runs quickly. And when getting home, I rush to hug my parents. I thank all-level trade unions and leaders of the province for creating conditions for workers away from home like us to return home to celebrate Tet with their families".

This year's "Spring Train" program is even more meaningful as it creates conditions for many workers to return to their homeland for the first time after decades of separation. These are the children who followed their parents to the South to settle down when they were young. Up to now, they have only known their homeland through stories and pictures. A typical example is the mother and daughter of Le Hoa, a worker of Cat Phu Paper Industry Co.Ltd. in Thu Dau Mot city. At the age of 2, Mrs. Hoa followed her parents to Dak Nong province and has never been able to visit her hometown of Thanh Hoa. "This is the most meaningful Tet in our lives because we can return our hometown... After celebrating Tet, I will soon return to work and will make more efforts", Mrs. Hoa confided.

Always focusing on employees

We were very emotional when witnessing leaders of the Vietnam General Confederation of Labor and leaders of the province, departments, sectors and localities to give 200 gifts and send off 200 workers on the train to return home for Tet in the Central and Northern provinces. Binh Duong province has always understood the feelings of workers, organized many activities to care for and support train and bus tickets so that workers living far from home have the opportunity and conditions to reunite with their families and celebrate a warm Tet. This is a practical concern and has great significance for workers living far from home.

At the ceremony, on behalf of provincial leaders, Bui Thanh Nhan, Member of provincial Party Standing Committee, Head of provincial Party Committee's Mass Mobilization Commission wished workers a joyful and happy Tet with their families. He  emphasized that over the past years, provincial Party Committee and People's Committee focused on directing agencies, departments, mass organizations and mobilizing businesses to create all conditions in terms of housing policies, healthcare, culture, education, employment…to take care of workers. Programs and activities have created confidence, helping workers feel secure in working and producing. Many of them have chosen Binh Duong as his second homeland to live and set themselves up in business and Binh Duong has also always considered all workers living far from home as children of Binh Duong homeland with sentimental attachment.

Reported by Ho Van-Quang Tam-Translated by Kim Tin