Over the past years, Khanh Hoa Trade Union at all levels has organized a variety of activities to improve workers' working conditions and living standards...
Over the past years, Khanh Hoa Trade Union at all levels has organized a variety of activities to improve workers’ working conditions and living standards.
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| Workers at Khatoco Garment Enterprise. |
At present, 5,600 enterprises are operating in Khanh Hoa Province, creating jobs for over 500,000 locals. Khanh Hoa Department of Labor, Invalids & Social Affairs has carried out regular inspections of the implementation of labor regulations. More than 95% of laborers have signed labor contracts, 60% of which have indefinite-terms. Enterprises have followed regulations on work and break time; regional minimum wages regulated by the Government; unemployment allowances and salary scales. In addition, Khanh Hoa Trade Union has accompanied enterprises to expand Trade Union affiliations to more than 1,500 with over 90,000 members so far, according to Mai Xuan Tri, Deputy Director of the Department of Labor, Invalids & Social Affairs.
The Trade Union is committed to assuring workers’ legal rights; creating a more harmonious work relationship and environment, creating favorable conditions for laborers, organizing “Excellent and creative labor” with more than 2,000 workers’ initiatives recognized, earning a profit worth hundreds of billion dongs for enterprises and the society.
Improving workers’ living standards is considered as the main responsibility of the Trade Union. The Trade Union at all levels have offered train tickets, rent buses for workers’ trip back home for their New Year holiday, organized New Year parties for workers far from home, etc. Besides, the Trade Union at all levels has spent nearly VND6 billion on support for needy workers. Especially, since 2007, the Trade Union’s Housing Fund has provided financial aid for house repair and construction for more than 200 poor workers’ families.
However, apart from achievements, many difficulties have still faced workers. According to a survey done by Khanh Hoa Labor Confederation, about 2,000 workers in industrial zones are living in deprivation. The number of unmarried female workers has increased. Some workers do not get deserving pay for their work-load and time. Some cultural and social institutions; public welfare works, hospitals, schools and amusement parks have not received proper investment.
To tackle potential problems, Khanh Hoa People’s Committee has just given approval in principle for the construction of houses for workers in Southern Van Phong and Southern Cam Ranh and public participation is encouraged. In addition, Khanh Hoa Labor Confederation has also submitted a suggestion for building a sporting center in Cam Ranh City; a cultural and sporting zone in Suoi Dau Industrial Zone, Cam Lam District to Khanh Hoa People’s Committee. Kindergartens and medical stations will be built in the neighborhood of industrial zones to better serve workers’ need.
Moreover, Khanh Hoa Labor Union at all levels will conduct an investigation to evaluate workers’ roles in post- privatization process; promote the propagation and dissemination of knowledge about the law, especially the Labor Code and Social Insurance Law to help employees to protect their legal rights. Much focus will be put on developing Trade Union members and Trade Union affiliations in enterprises with 20 staff or more; closely cooperating with local departments and agencies to improve workers’ academic and professional knowledge and skills, etc.
Van Giang
Translated by N.T
