Promote higher epidemic prevention propaganda among workers

​Meeting between Mr. Ngo Duy Hieu, Vice President of the Vietnam General Confederation of Labor and Dong Nai Province Confederation of Labor

According to the Dong Nai Province Confederation of Labor, the 4th outbreak of Covid-19 epidemic has significantly affected the life, employment, income of employees as well as the production and business situation of enterprises. Since the impact of the epidemic, about 400,000 workers have had to suspend their employment contracts and take turns off work because localities in the province implemented social distancing and established medical isolation areas; about 180,000 employees had to stop working because the enterprise did not meet the conditions to organize the “three on the spot” measures.

Facing the above situation, the Dong Nai Province Confederation of Labor has promptly directed Trade Unions at all levels to promote propaganda and mobilize unionists and employees to seriously implement epidemic prevention measures. At the same time, organize activities to take care of union members and employees, contributing to the local fight against the epidemic. Specifically, trade unions at all levels have supported 451,994 union members and workers in difficult circumstances in the blockade areas, medical isolation areas, and hostels with a total amount of over VND236 billion.

By October 20, the province has 1.515 businesses reopened with 476,266 employees. The union is continuing to support businesses to welcome workers back to work. The Provincial Confederation of Labor also suggested that the Vietnam General Confederation of Labor continue to have support packages for provinces and cities affected by the Covid-19 epidemic to retain union members and employees to stay at work, in association with business during the production.

At the meeting, many grassroots trade unions in the business sector shared difficulties in the process of restoring production. Especifically, the situation of laborers returning to their hometowns could not return some provinces and cities to work because the local governments have not yet allowed them to do so. The working capacity is not high due to the lack of workers. The grassroots trade unions proposed that the upper-level trade union should pay attention to support more policy packages for employees, loosen support conditions and pay attention to building a trade union institution, ensuring a long life for workers to stabilize their living. In addition, support employees with preferential loan packages from policy banks to overcome immediate difficulties; local proposal, the Dong Nai Industrial Zones Authority to establish a concentrated isolation area in the Industrial Zone to isolate F1 in the situation that businesses appear positive cases. In addition, it is proposed that the Government should adjust the regional minimum wage to ensure income for employees etc.

Concluding at the meeting, Vice President of the Vietnam General Confederation of Labor Ngo Duy Hieu acknowledged the efforts of the Dong Nai Trade Union at all levels in accompanying the local government in disease prevention and control. At the same time, implementing many practical programs to take care of the lives of union members and employees affected by the epidemic. At the same time, it is proposed that Dong Nai Trade Union at all levels continue to promote the results achieved in the past, especially propaganda measures to prevent epidemics so that union members and employees are not subjective and work calmly in the workplaces right after returning to business. In addition, focusing on developing union members, establishing grassroots trade unions and developing a thoughtful and practical plan to take care of the 2022 Lunar New Year for union members and employees. 

Phong Lan