Stabilizing the labor relations in the new situation

​Workers of Hoang Gia Co., Ltd. GMT during working hours

Find solutions to limit strikes

According to the Provincial Confederation of Labor, in 2021, there have been 16 collective work stoppages with over 9,000 workers in the province. Particularly in the first two months of 2022, there were 15 cases of collective labor disputes with over 32,000 employees participating. The causes of the strikes are mainly related to the annual salary increase, salary debt, late payment of wages, Tet bonuses, improvement of mid-shift meal quality, etc.

When things happen, trade unions at all levels along with local delegations come to work with business leaders to examine the situation and mobilize workers to return to work. Accordingly, after having a dialogue with the employees and announcing the settlement of benefits and policies, the employees returned to work normally.

According to the Provincial Labor Confederation, the collective labor disputes that occurred were not complicated compared to previous years but affected the production process and local security and order. On the other hand, business owners have not found a common voice in labor relations, leading to small conflicts arising into big conflicts and culminating in collective cessation of work.

In order to limit such cases, trade unions at all levels will strengthen their base to know about the thoughts and aspirations of employees; at the same time, direct the grassroots Trade Unions to supervise the implementation of benefits and policies of enterprises in order to strengthen the protection of the legitimate interests of employees.

At a recent meeting with the Provincial Labor Union Party on the task of Trade Union activities in 2022, Member of the Party Central Committee, Secretary of the Provincial Party Committee Nguyen Hong Linh emphasized, in order to promote the role of trade unions in a province having a large number of workers such as Dong Nai, the Provincial Labor Union Party must give top priority to protecting the legitimate rights and interests of union members and employees. In which, reviewing what have been done well should be further promoted, what have been not good, continue to discuss with the employers to ensure the interests of employees.

In addition, it is necessary to strengthen inspection of the full implementation of democratic regulations in enterprises. Trade union officials must have the capacity, the ability to persuade business owners, the skills to mobilize workers and build solidarity relationships at enterprises. Trade union officials need to promptly know the thoughts and aspirations of employees, solve problems in labor relations, and avoid prolonged frustrations erupting into complicated cases.

Secretary of the Provincial Party Committee Nguyen Hong Linh said that the role of trade unions at enterprises should be promoted further in the coming time to negotiate with businesses to promote more care for life, housing, kindergartens, cultural institutions for workers. When all demands are guaranteed, employees will feel secure to work, focus on working at the enterprises and localities, and labor relations will also be tightened. Besides, when being taken care of by enterprises in a timely manner, employees will focus on their work, limiting the shortage of resources and enterprises will ensure resources for long-term business and production.

Building solidarity in labor relations

In order to stabilize the labor relationship from the beginning of 2022, the Vietnam General Confederation of Labor has just issued an urgent document directing trade unions at all levels to strengthen the implementation of solutions to prevent and settle labor disputes and stop collective work. Accordingly, for localities and units with a large number of employees and many enterprises belonging to the same owner or being a member company of enterprises, groups or corporations, or jointly producing and supplying enterprises, transnational enterprises, provincial and municipal Labor Confederations, Central Sector Trade Unions must actively realize information about the implementation of policies and benefits, pressing issues of employees, thereby coordinating with departments, departments and functional agencies to settle amicably.

In Dong Nai, in the past time, when collective labor disputes occurred, there was a quick intervention of local authorities, especially Trade Unions at all levels, which have well promoted their role as representative organizations for the legitimate rights and interests of employees, promote the sense of responsibility, realize the thoughts and aspirations to resolve stress and stabilize the situation soon. After efforts, persistently sticking to and coming up with terms of negotiation and agreement, on the basis of ensuring the harmonious interests of both enterprises and employees, it has contributed to shortening workers' downtime, helping enterprises quickly welcome workers back to production.

Ms. Nguyen Thi Bich Thuy, Vice Chairperson of the Bien Hoa City Confederation of Labor, said that in order to settle the strikes stably and find a common voice between businesses and employees, it is essential to have the perseverance of trade union officials and the participation timely of the local authorities and related sectors. Besides, the propaganda to raise awareness for employees is very important for employees to understand the real difficulties of enterprises after the impact of the pandemic.

“The collective work stoppages that occur are affected from both sides: the job, the income of the employee and the production of the enterprises. In addition, it also causes insecurity and disorder in the locality. Therefore, building a stable labor relationship is very important not only for the role of the Trade Union, but also for enterprises and employees to have the mutual cooperation"-Ms. Thuy added.