Confronting new development requirements, the imperative set for trade union organizations is to vigorously renew activity contents and operational modes, shifting the focus toward the grassroots-level and orienting more toward the practical needs of union members and laborers. According to Tẩn Minh Long, Chairman of the provincial Labor Confederation, trade unions currently focus more intensively on enterprises, laborers, and workplaces with genuine demand for trade union organizations. Therefore, the crux lies not merely in how many members exist, but in what members need, what hardships workers encounter, and what tangible assistance trade unions can offer them.

From that approach, the provincial Labor Confederation has strengthened cadre assignments to oversee and track each group of grassroots-level trade unions; proactively visiting the grassroots-level to meet trade union officials, members, and laborers to grasp employment conditions, incomes, working environments, regimes, policies, and issues emerging in labor relations.

In particular, the spirit of “listening to what union members say, listening to what laborers say” has been accentuated. Through grassroots-level visits, dialogues, conferences, welfare programs, and direct fact-finding at enterprises, trade union cadres are positioned to listen to real-world feedback. This serves as the foundation for trade union activities to transition from executing pre-set plans to proactively fulfilling the actual needs of members and laborers.

Trade union levels continue to care for members and workers facing difficult circumstances, especially during Lunar New Year (Tết), Workers’ Month, the Action Month for Occupational Safety and Health, and through the “Trade Union Shelter” program. Alongside material support, trade unions prioritize protecting the lawful and legitimate rights and interests of workers; participating in dialogues to help foster harmonious, stable, and progressive labor relations.

At the grassroots-level, this care is manifested through concrete deeds tied to workers’ daily lives. Cà Thị Thu, an employee at Điện Biên Cement Joint Stock Company, has worked at the enterprise for 16 years. Over her service, she has repeatedly received visits, gifts, and holiday coach-fare support from company leadership and the trade union during Tết. Though simple, such thoughtful care provides encouragement for her to work with peace of mind and maintain long-term commitment to the enterprise.

Beyond direct support, through the member welfare program, laborers can purchase essential consumer goods at prices 10-20% lower than market rates, helping alleviate living expenses. Across many enterprises, shift-meal allowances have been raised to VND 25,000 or higher, improving meal quality and workers’ health.

Alongside material welfare, Điện Biên trade unions at all levels prioritize cultural, spiritual, and sporting activities for members and laborers. Based on practical conditions and member interests, grassroots-level trade unions organize appropriate formats such as musical performances, contests, sports meets, air volleyball, football, badminton, pickleball, and table tennis. Cultural and sporting activities not only create recreational avenues after work hours, but also help members enhance physical fitness, ease work stress, interact, and strengthen mutual solidarity.

Since the beginning of the year, the provincial Labor Confederation has organized and coordinated numerous cultural, sporting, and welfare activities for members. Notable among these was an air volleyball tournament drawing 21 teams and more than 200 athletes; alongside badminton, pickleball, and table tennis competitions, as well as programs supporting children of disadvantaged union members and laborers.

Caring for livelihoods fosters cohesion, while patriotic emulation movements inject momentum for members to excel in their duties. Movements such as “Good Labor, Creative Labor”, “Studying to Improve Qualifications and Vocational Skills”, “Nationwide Emulation for Innovation and Digital Transformation”, and “Digital Popular Education” have been implemented, enabling members to enhance their skillsets and satisfy job demands in the new phase. During the 2023-2025 period alone, more than 1,000 initiatives and solutions from union members and workers across the province were applied in practice, generating tangible efficiency for agencies, units, and enterprises. At Điện Biên College, initiatives stemming from teaching realities have contributed to elevating instructional quality. Teacher Vũ Văn Độ, from the Faculty of Electricity - Electronics, noted that inventing self-made training equipment is vital for vocational institutions. Annually, the college rolls out practical initiatives and research topics serving teaching and learning.

Alongside on-site activities, trade unions focus on digital interaction, disseminating legal information, labor policies, social insurance, and trade union affairs; addressing workers’ concerns; and receiving feedback to grasp member aspirations.

From caring for livelihoods and protecting legitimate rights to promoting culture, sports, emulation campaigns, skill enhancement, and digital transformation, trade union activities have become increasingly versatile and substantive. Through these initiatives, members are heard, workers are partnered with, and lawful, legitimate rights and interests are safeguarded. This serves as the foundation for the Điện Biên trade union to continue innovating, turning toward the grassroots-level, staying close to members and workers, and satisfying demands in the new situation.