The Da Nang’s Labour Confederation recently announced the establishment of the Da Nang Tourist Guide Trade Union. This achievement results from the Confederation's efforts to advocate and recruit members to protect and support informal workers.

Mr Le Van Dai (right, second), Vice Chairman of the Municipal Labour Confederation, presents the decision to establish the Da Nang Tourist Guide Trade Union. Photo: DAT NGUYEN

On 15 November, the Labour Confederation held a ceremony to officially form the Da Nang Tourist Guide Trade Union. This marks the first time tourist guides in the city have had a representative organisation, starting with 111 members. The union’s executive board comprises five trusted guides, with Mr Dinh Viet Van Hai elected as Chairman.

Mr Hai shared that all 111 members voluntarily applied to join the union by either submitting individual applications or using the Labour Confederation’s provided forms. This milestone followed nearly two months of direct meetings and advocacy by the Labour Confederation, targeting the Da Nang Tourist Guide Association and individual guides.

“After learning about union-related legal frameworks and policies, as well as the tangible benefits for tourist guides joining the union, many were eager to participate,” Mr Hai said. “I hope the number of members will grow, and the union will strengthen over time.”

At the launch ceremony, the Labour Confederation provided the union's executive board with VND 5 million in initial funding and distributed 20 support packages to members facing financial difficulties. Additionally, they organised sessions to inform members about labour laws and voluntary social insurance policies.

As shared by Mr Nguyen Van Tai, a tourist guide union member, while tourist guides often earn a decent income, some still face unstable earnings and lack access to full social benefits. Joining the union allows members to access city-specific policies, particularly in the tourism sector, improving their quality of life. Despite its recent establishment, members like Mr Tai already benefit from upcoming union-organised initiatives for the 2025 Lunar New Year, such as the "Tet Journey," returning workers home for the holiday, participating in Tet fairs, and applying for social housing.

Mr Le Van Dai, Vice Chairman of the Labour Confederation, highlighted the effort to integrate informal workers into trade unions as a key success of the city’s labour movement in 2024. This comes amid economic challenges, with many businesses downsizing, resulting in job losses and reduced hours. Currently, over 300,000 informal workers operate in the city.

In response, the Labour Confederation has established various unions in this sector, including independent nursery class unions across districts, the Da Nang Grab Drivers’ Trade Union, and now the Tourist Guide Trade Union, increasing total membership to nearly 2,000.

The Grab Drivers’ Trade Union was launched on 10 July with 184 members. Alongside legal consultations, the Labour Confederation provided VND 5 million in start-up funding, distributed 50 gifts worth VND 500,000 each, and issued 184 accident insurance cards to struggling members. Seeing these benefits, many drivers have applied to join. After over four months in the union, Ms Vo Thi Thu Suong, President of the Grab Drivers’ Trade Union, said she and her colleagues feel more secure with the union's support.

According to Mr Le Van Dai, union membership ensures equitable treatment in employment policies, working conditions, and wages. Members can also access support for organising dialogues, collective bargaining, and agreements with better-than-minimum terms under the law.

Reported by DAT NGUYEN- Translated by TRUC VY