The province currently has over 34,000 workers, public employees, and laborers, with more than 31,400 union members across 946 grassroots trade unions. Most have stable employment and incomes, and benefit from secure working conditions and implemented welfare policies. However, due to rising consumer prices and relatively low wages, many still face economic hardships. Some union members lack stable housing and must rent, while others endure difficult working or commuting conditions. In light of this, the provincial labor federation has prioritized programs to support workers’ livelihoods and protect their rights.

According to Tẩn Minh Long, President of the provincial Labor Federation, unions at all levels have been instructed to closely monitor members’ thoughts, living conditions, and employment status, while also coordinating with relevant agencies to promptly address issues related to wages, bonuses, social insurance, health insurance, unemployment insurance, leave entitlements, and pay raises. The federation has also helped organize 2025 employee and civil servant conferences in tandem with the implementation of grassroots democratic practices.

As a result, 98% of grassroots unions helped organize civil servant conferences; 81% held employee conferences; and over 80% of enterprise-level unions successfully negotiated and signed collective labor agreements. Notably, these forums enabled workers to directly contribute ideas for revising internal regulations, contracts, and collective agreements, as well as to raise questions and receive responses on workplace safety and welfare policies.

To provide timely support, union branches proactively identify members facing special hardship or chronic illness and offer tailored assistance. In 2024, labor unions distributed over 25,500 gift packages worth more than VND 12 billion to struggling workers. Around VND 5 billion was also mobilized to build housing for teachers, boarding facilities, and purchase daily-use essentials for schools. Since the beginning of this year, over 13,500 union members and workers have received gifts during the lunar New Year and workers’ month 2025, with a total value of over VND 7.2 billion.

In early April, the federation inaugurated new staff housing for teachers at the Cây Sặt school site in Huổi Lếch commune, Mường Nhé district, with a total construction cost of VND 350 million. For union members living in temporary or rundown homes, the federation has raised funds through its trade union shelter program. Over the past year, 28 new homes have been built for disadvantaged members, with a total value exceeding VND 1.3 billion.

One recent recipient is Vàng A Lồng, a union member at the grassroots trade union of Tênh Phông Semi-Boarding Primary and Lower Secondary School for ethnic minorities (Tuần Giáo district). He shared: “My wife has poor health and no job, our two children are still young, and we also care for my parents and my mother-in-law. Life has been very difficult”, he shared. “Despite our efforts, we’ve been living with my parents because we couldn’t afford a house.”

Recognizing his situation, the provincial Labor Federation allocated VND 50 million funded by the labor federation of Cần Thơ city to help his family build a new home through the trade union shelter program. Construction began in early May on a 150-square-meter, one house with a living room and three bedrooms. It is expected to be completed by the end of June, giving his family a stable home and the chance to move forward with greater peace of mind.

Đức Thái