For the time being, the all-leveled chapters of the Da Nang Trade Unions are rushing the implementation of activities ensuring jubilant and cozy Tet for workers, especially those who are living far from home as well as facing financial difficulties due to the COVID-19 resurgence.

Mr Nguyen Duy Minh, Chairman of the Da Nang Federation of Labour (right) presents Tet gifts to workers at Hoa Khanh Industrial Park. Photo: LAM PHUONG

1. Mrs Le Thi No, residing in Hoa Khanh Bac Ward, Lien Chieu District is living with her son and working as a cleaner for a construction company in Hai Chau district after leaving from the mountainous district of Nong Son in Quang Nam province. From mid-2021 until now, her company suspended operations because there were no customers as a result of the complicated pandemic situation, so she was very thrifty to afford food and accommodation for both of them.

Unexpectedly, she received a Tet gift with VND 800,000 in cash from the Hai Chau District Labour Union. Therefore, both of them can have Chung cake, candies and jams to celebrate Tet this year.

Ms Ho Thi My Linh, a teacher at ABC non-public kindergarten in Hai Chau District was also happy when she held a Tet gift bag in her hand. Linh said that in the past 2 years, she and other teachers at the school have encountered a bunch of difficulties when the pandemic raged. Linh and her colleagues are forced to make a living by doing other jobs such as helping with housework, selling stuff online, working part-time or tutoring to have an income to cover living expenses. "Tet gifts are encouragement, comfort, and make us feel that we are not alone.", said emotionally by her.

As shared by Mr Lu Trong Phuong, Chairman of the Hai Chau District Labor Confederation, Tet is an opportunity for the Trade Union to once again promote its role of taking care of its union members and employees; in tandem with continuing to affirm the role and position of the Trade Union in the hearts of each union member and employee.

2. "Welcome Tet not far from home", the exchange and conversation program between employees and the Trade Union organized by Da Nang Labor Confederation once again to bring Tet to workers. Ms. Cao Thi Thu Phuong from Quang Binh, a worker at Da Nang Mabuchi Motor Company) left her hometown to work at Mabuchi Motor Da Nang Company in 2010.

After more than 11 years living in the city by the Han River, she has a small family, a stable job, and considers Da Nang as her second home.

2021 was a year full of difficulties and challenges for her family when the company had to stop working for nearly 2 months to prevent and control the pandemic, and even her husband, unfortunately, broke his leg.

Fortunately, there are trade unions of the city and Lien Chieu District and the company is always taking care of, encouraging and supporting both spiritually and materially. The in-kind gifts and cash support over the past time have been a lifeline for her family.

This New Year, Phuong and her husband decided to stay in Da Nang to celebrate Tet for the first time after many days of concern. At the exchange, the city Labor Confederation made a direct connection with her hometown so that Phuong could meet and talk with her parents.

In an emotional moment, Phuong's parents encouraged their children and grandchildren and sent their best wishes for health and New Year's greetings on the eve of the new year. Responding to the love of her family, Phuong hopes that her parents will stay healthy and rest assured because they have been taken care of by the Union.

Mr Lu Trong Phuong (left), Chairman of Hai Chau District Labour Confederation presents Tet gifts to union members and workers in the district. Photo: LAM PHUONG

3. For many years now, the trade union bus organized by the city's Labor Confederation has been rolling regularly to bring workers back to their hometown to celebrate Tet at the end of the year.

According to Vice Chairwoman of the City Labour Confederation Dinh Thi Thanh Ha, trade union buses will depart from January 22 to January 30, 2022, to bring more than 2,000 workers and their relatives back to their hometowns.

The buses will depart at 4 locations including Workers Culture and Sports Center; the Housing area for workers in Hoa Cam Industrial Park; the park in front of the administrative centre of Lien Chieu District and Da Nang Industrial Park (Son Tra district).  The farthest destination in the north is Thanh Hoa Province, in the south is Khanh Hoa Province and in the Central Highlands is Buon Ma Thuot City, Dak Lak province.

To ensure safety factors, workers are required to make health declarations on applications a day before departure; At the same time, they also have a quick COVID-19 test sample taken before getting on the bus. During the trip, workers must regularly wear masks, disinfect hands, and limit conversations. After returning to the place of residence, they must proactively notify the local authorities; self-monitor health at home or isolate according to local regulations.

Mr Ngo Gia Hung, a worker of Daiwa Viet Nam Co., Ltd. always chooses the union bus to accompany him on the way home to celebrate Tet for 3 years since it is safe, comfortable, and not jostling, pushing. He also can save nearly VND 500,000 on bus tickets, and be given Chung cake and water during the journey. Similarly, Mrs Nguyen Thi Nga, a worker at Huu Nghi Production - Trading Joint Stock Company, also chooses a union bus to go home to celebrate Tet because this year's pandemic was complicated so she was not secure for her two young children on a normal coach.

4. According to Mr Nguyen Duy Minh Chairman of the Da Nang Labour Confederation, it is forecast that the number of workers who do not return to their hometown to celebrate Tet will increase this year. Therefore, the city has directed trade unions at all levels to regularly review, grasp the situation and update the number of workers, employees staying in the city during the Tet holiday to have a thoughtful care plan.

Till now, about 2,000 employees have registered to stay in the city during the Tet holiday. Most of them live in 52 self-managed workers' groups in the rental accommodations and worker's housing in Hoa Cam Industrial Park.

Currently, trade unions at all levels are organizing visits and giving gifts to encourage workers to celebrate Tet away from home. In addition, in order to create favourable conditions for workers to buy Tet’s necessaries at preferential prices, the city's trade unions are actively campaigning and organizing "Worker's New Year's Fair" at 3 locations to serve the shopping demands of employees.

In parallel with the Tet supportive activities of Trade Unions at all levels, many leaders of the self-managed workers' groups also organize year-end meals, pack Chung cake and Tet cake to bring joy and happiness for those far from home in the last moment of the year.

Reporting by LAM PHUONG- Translating by T.VY