Developing trade unions associated with worker welfare

Addressing challenges in trade union development

The Trade Union of Sigma Vietnam Co., Ltd. in Trang Due Industrial Park was established on October 5, representing the interests of 196 members and workers, including 144 women. This is a wholly US-invested company, specializing in manufacturing plastic products.

According to Tran Thi Huong Giang, Chairwoman of the company's Trade Union, the business did not meet the conditions required to establish a trade union at first but still provided welfare benefits, including New Year gifts, visits to workers facing difficulties, and organization of commemorative events, sports competitions and cultural activities.

More than two years after establishment, as production gradually stabilized, the Trade Union was set up, creating conditions for more systematic welfare activities.

In the coming period, the union will work with the company managers to develop, negotiate and sign a collective labor agreement, strengthening its role in representing members and protecting their rights while contributing to harmonious and stable labor relations.

In practice, persuading foreign-invested enterprises to establish trade unions is not easy. Some business owners do not fully understand Vietnamese legal regulations and are concerned about additional costs.

The Industrial Park Trade Union Committee, under the Hai Phong Confederation of Labor, has proactively reviewed businesses without trade unions and directly assessed their production and business conditions to identify appropriate approaches to mobilizing them.

By October 16, the City Confederation of Labor had managed 3,319 grassroots trade unions with 666,000 members. The Industrial Park Trade Union Committee alone managed 677 grassroots unions with 330,325 members. Since the beginning of 2026, the committee has established 114 grassroots unions, exceeding its target by 185%, and recorded a net increase of 27,980 members, surpassing its annual target by 7.62%.

Attracting members through practical welfare activities

Trade unions at all levels in Hai Phong consider improving operational quality and delivering tangible benefits to members essential to organizational growth. This approach is evident in newly established grassroots unions.

After six months of operation, the Trade Union of Tinno Vietnam Co., Ltd. in An Duong Industrial Park has gradually affirmed its role as a source of support for workers.

During the Mid-Autumn Festival, employees received gifts, while 19 children of union members facing hardship received additional gifts from the City Trade Union. On National Day (September 2), all union members received bonuses. The union also visited and provided support to 13 members dealing with bereavement, weddings or illness, and requested additional assistance from the City Trade Union.

According to Vu Thi Lan, Chairwoman of the company's Trade Union, it is working with the company leaders to prepare for the signing of a collective labor agreement in the final months of the year. This is an important step toward formalizing members' rights and welfare benefits and improving the effectiveness of worker support. The union is also developing a welfare plan for the 2027 Lunar New Year, prioritizing members facing hardship.

According to Nguyen Hong Quang, Standing Deputy Head of the Industrial Park Trade Union Committee, efforts to recruit members and establish grassroots unions will continue to go hand in hand with improving operational effectiveness, representation and worker welfare.

Welfare programs, assistance for members in difficulties, and cultural and sports activities will continue to be updated to meet workers' needs. The goal is not only to increase the number of grassroots unions and members, but also to strengthen representation and rights protection, helping workers recognize the value of joining and remaining engaged with their trade unions.

NGUYEN NGUYEN