Helping Trade Union members stay settled

Welcoming the 11th Congress of the Provincial Trade Union, the Provincial Confederation of Labor has handed houses over to union members in housing need to help them stay settled and inspire them more efforts to overcome difficulties and move forward in life, contributing to building trust in the Trade Union.

Happily moving into new home

Phan Tan Cuong, a teacher, a Trade Union member of Quang Trung Junior High School, Ninh Hoa Town with his 2 little children and bed-ridden mother is struggling to make ends meet with a monthly salary of VND6 million. Thanks to the housing grant of VND50 million provided by the Provincial Confederation of Labor together with aid and loans from relatives, he has built a new house, 80m2. “We are so happy and grateful. From now on, we have a new house to live in and no longer worried whenever a rainy season comes. This is my dream house, a motivation for me to try further to take good care of my family,” he said.

Leaders of the Provincial Confederation of Labor at the house handover for Phan Tan Cuong.

After nearly 3 months of construction, the house of the family of Nguyen Thi Tuyet Nga, a staff at Ninh Sim Commune Health Station (Ninh Hoa) was completed. The total construction cost of the 60m2 house is more than VND100 million, including  VND50 million from the Provincial Confederation of Labor and the rest from the family. The new house has been their dream for many years.

Working as a medical worker for 7 years, her monthly income is more than VND4 million while her husband has unstable work. Her family of 4 has to stay with her old parents and brother's family for many years,. “I am very happy to receive the housing grant. The new house brings us great joy, happiness and strength to overcome difficult circumstances," added Nguyen Thi Tuyet Nga.

As many as 550 Youth Union members in housing need in Khanh Hoa Province have benefited from the Trade Union’s Housing Program. Since January 2023, the Provincial Confederation of Labor has offered grants totaling VND975 million for the construction of 14 houses and repair of 5 houses for 22 Trade Union members.

Teacher Cao Thi Mai, Son Trung Primary School, Khanh Son District also shared the happiness of having a new safe and comfortable home, 60m2, after years living in a cramped house. Thanks to the VND50 million grant from the Provincial Confederation of Labor together with her relatives and collogues’ support in terms of building materials, her dream of a new safe house has come true.

Housing grant increase

According to Tran Thi Huong, Vice-Chairperson of the Provincial Confederation of Labor, for many years, the housing support program has reached out to many cases in need. The support comes from the contribution of thousands of laborers across the province, helping the disadvantaged to stay settled, giving them motivation to overcome difficulties and move forward in life as well as build more trust in the Trade Union.

The Provincial Labor Confederation Standing Committee has decided to increase the housing grant from VND50 million to VND60 million/house as from August 7. Other special cases will be considered by the Provincial Labor Confederation Standing Committee. Reportedly, Khanh Hoa Trade Union’s Housing Program has run since 2007 with the contribution of Trade union members and laborers from VND10,000 person/year (from 2007 to June 2012) and VND20,000/person/year (from July 2012 to now).

With the joint effort of many individuals and organizations, the housing aid has increased steadily over years, from VND10 million/house to VND15 million/house, VND30 million/house, VND40 million/house, VND50 million/house for construction; and from VND5-10 million/house to VND15-25 million/house for repair.

According to Bui Hoai Nam, Chairman of the Provincial Confederation of Labor, the housing assistance increase is to adapt to the current condition. In the coming time, the Provincial Labor Federation will continue expanding the housing assistance program in an attempt to gradually alleviate dilapidated houses, ensuring social security. It requires joint effort and contribution of all Trade union members and workers in the province, as well as the support of local authorities and grassroots Trade Unions.

V.G

Translated by N.T