Da Nang’s employees show trust and respect for their Trade Union organizations, as well as the Party's guidelines and policies, along with the national regulations that set out adequate measures to help their companies and units navigate through hard times due to the impact of the Covid-19 pandemic.

Da Nang Labour Confederation Vice Chairman Le Van Dai gave gifts to workers in difficult circumstances on the occasion of the 2023 Lunar New Year (Tet). Photo: Tra Van

Challenges faced by businesses and their employees

According to Mr. Le Van Dai, the Vice Chairman of the Da Nang Labour Confederation, workers, employees and contractors in Da Nang encountered challenges and difficulties in 2023 due to the impact of the Covid-19 pandemic on the global economy, unpredictable fluctuations in the prices of input materials and fuels, a decrease in both domestic and international consumer demand as a result of tightened spending, disruptions in the value chain, and a decline in customer orders. Altogether, these factors negatively impacted the production activities of businesses and the lives of their employees.

Mr. Dai highlighted huge efforts made by the Viet Nam General Confederation of Labour, the Da Nang government, local relevant agencies, and  Trade Union organizations at all levels across the city in taking flexible measures to bring the best possible benefits to businesses and their employees.

"Da Nang’s employees show trust and respect for their Trade Union organizations, as well as the Party's guidelines and policies, along with the national regulations that set out adequate measures to help their companies and units navigate through hard times due to the impact of the Covid-19 pandemic. This is especially evident as effective solutions were adopted to boost investment attraction, expedite key projects, speed up public investment disbursement, and implement social welfare programs, thereby contributing to driving the city's socio-economic development," pointed out Mr. Le Van Dai.

Stabilization of labour relations

Mr. Dai has shared that in 2023, the Da Nang Labour Confederation has directed Trade Union organizations at all levels across the city to monitor the payment of salaries and Tet bonuses, along with grants and benefits in local businesses for their employees. In addition, heed was paid to working with relevant units to organize an annual staff meeting in businesses.

An annual staff meeting is a yearly gathering of an organization's employees, often convened by executives, managers or leaders, with the aim of reviewing the past year's achievements, outlining objectives and strategies for the upcoming year, and facilitating open dialogue among staff members.

So far this year, all 510 administrative agencies, 9 state-owned enterprises, along with 788 private sector enterprises have already organized their annual staff meeting.

Trade Unions at all levels are redoubling their focus on negotiation, dialogue, and the signing of collective labour agreement. Key benefits of employees such as working hours and rest periods, salaries, bonuses, and policies for female employees are included in the content of collective labour agreement which is a written legal contract between an employer and a trade union representing the employees. Till date, 48 enterprises and units have already entered into such an agreement with their trade union organizations. Besides, 795 out of 760 units have held both regular and unexpected dialogues with their staff members. Furthermore, 73 out of 60 units have put forward and deliberated over meal allowances that are either equal to or exceed VND 20,000. Moreover, as many as 975 units have developed grassroots democracy rules and jointly participated in 63 supervision activities in line with the Politburo’s Decision No. 217 dated December 12, 2013.

The Da Nang Labour Confederation worked with the municipal Department of Labor, Invalids and Social Affairs to launch the Action Month on Occupational Safety and Hygiene and the Month for Workers in 2023 which attracted the participation of over one thousand trade union members. A highlight of these initiatives was a remarkably successful organization of  meetings between deputies to the municipal People’s Councils and voters who were workers, employees, contractors. Voters’ opinions focused on such practical issues as their living conditions, employment opportunities, and housing for them.

To mark this occasion, the Da Nang Labour Confederation offered 120 gifts valued at VND 1 million to poor workers and employees during these events. Additionally, a delegation extended its outreach by making visits to self-managed workers' groups residing in rented properties in Lien Chieu District to give 100 gifts totaling VND 130 million to them.

Reporting by TRA VAN - Translating by HOAI TRANG