Collective labour agreements negotiated and signed between grassroots trade unions and employers increasingly bring better benefits for employees. In addition, many enterprises have humane policies towards female workers and workers raising children, thereby contributing to ensuring the lives of, and retaining workers.

Thanks to good implementation of humane policies, employees can work with peace of mind and stick with the business. IN PHOTO: Production activity at the March 29 Textile and Garment JSC. Photo: L.P

Taking better care of workers

The Bac My An Tourist Area JSC currently has more than 600 employees. 100% of them have signed labour contracts and fully participated in compulsory social insurance, health insurance, and unemployment insurance according to regulations.

According to the company representative, special attention is paid to the negotiation and signing of collective labour agreements between grassroots Trade Union organisations and enterprise representatives.

Accordingly, many more beneficial provisions are implemented. In particular, the salary for an employee during the probation period is at least equal to 90% of basic salary. The number of annual leaves for managers increases to 16 - 20 days/year. Employees can enjoy two meals in a working shift.

In addition, every week, the company organises inspections of public areas for employees in order to promptly detect, fix and repair incidents and damages. Also, importance is attached to renovating the office and upgrading employee garages, aiming to provide a secure and comfortable working environment for workers.

Meanwhile, the city branch of the An Nam Food Co., Ltd., holds meetings every month between departments to exchange, dialogue and roll out with solutions to care for the welfare of officials and employees. The signing of collective labour agreements is carried out annually, with more favourable terms for employees.

Specifically, in addition to prescribed benefits, the company is paying 10.5% of social insurance and personal income tax, and 1% of trade union fees on behalf of employees. At the same time, accident insurance for all employees working in dangerous conditions is bought by the company.

According to Vice Chairman of the municipal Confederation of Labour Le Van Dai, the work of negotiation, dialogue, and the signing of collective labour agreements at enterprises, especially enterprises with a large number of workers, or foreigners are of concern of the Trade Union organisations at all levels.

Through signing the collective labour agreement, the grassroots Trade Union organisations have negotiated and included many provisions that are higher than the law, bringing higher benefits to employees in terms of wages, bonuses, and working hours, rest time, shift meals, and policies for female workers. This has helped take better care of the material and spiritual lives of workers, as well as contributed to retaining workers.

Humane policies for female workers

In June 2008, the Foster Da Nang Company Limited based in the Hoa Cam Industrial Park was established.

According to Chairman of the company's Trade Union Bui Minh Vu, in parallel with the factory system, the company has a comfortable and private room for female workers to pump and store breast milk. The about 15m² room is fully equipped with basic amenities, including tables, chairs, a breast milk storage refrigerator, and an air conditioner.

During working hours, female workers have 30 minutes to use the room to pump and store milk when needed.

“Pumping and storing breast milk is a legitimate and very practical need when most female workers are in the age of giving birth and raising children. This is the company’s very humane policy in taking care of workers' lives" Mr. Vu emphasised.

Similarly, the Trade Union of the Pi Vina Da Nang Co., Ltd. located in the Hoa Khanh Industrial Park inaugurated and put into use a room for pumping and storing breast milk for female workers who are raising children under 24 months old in September 2023.

Chairwoman of the company's Trade Union Nguyen Thi Cam Tho said that the enterprise currently has nearly 900 employees, 87% of whom are female. Being aware of the importance of breastfeeding, the Trade Union actively advises the Board of Directors of the company to design a milk pumping and storage room right at the company. Accordingly, the milk storage room has an area of nearly 20m² with full tools and equipment to support the pumping and storage of breast milk, with a total investment cost of VND42 million.

Mrs. Tran Thi Mai, 32, who is a worker at the Pi Vina Da Nang Co., Ltd. shared that she and other mothers who are raising children were very happy at the lactation room.

“Every day, I take advantage of my lunch break to pump and store breast milk, which helps maintain breast milk for my baby, and avoid engorgement and clogged breast milk ducts that affect my health" she added.

In addition to arranging breast milk storage rooms for female workers, the Trade Union organisation of the Pi Vina Da Nang Co., Ltd. negotiated and included in the collective labour agreement provisions that are beneficial to female workers. Included are female workers raising children under 12 months working 6 hours/day but receiving full salary, and those who become pregnant are allowed to work 7 hours/day but receiving full salary.

Vice Chairwoman of the municipal Confederation of Labour Dinh Thi Thanh Ha said that the entire city currently has 4 businesses that have areas for pumping and storing breast milk to serve female workers raising children. This is a humane and practical policy, aimed at taking better care of workers, especially female workers, contributing to retaining workers and stabilising labour relations.

Reporting by LAM PHUONG - Translating by M.DUNG, P.TRA