On the afternoon of November 30, the Vietnam General Confederation of Labor held a forum to focus resources on promoting dialogue, negotiation, and signing of collective labor agreements, especially on wages and working conditions.
Mr. Le Phan Linh, Chairman of the Vietnam National Shipping Lines Trade Union, said that effective dialogue and negotiation requires union officials to have qualifications and skills.
According to Mr. Linh, to demand an increase in meal allowance from 20,000 to 40,000 VND, officials must clearly state issues such as inflation and price inflation to convince businesses to agree with the proposal, ensuring the rights of workers to maintain their health to work more effectively.
At the same time, Mr. Linh emphasized that the increase in meal allowance must be included in the workers' meals to ensure nutrition. Absolutely do not allow the conversion to cash, such as receiving 35 dong, only eating 25 dong, leaving 10 dong for other work.
Therefore, Mr. Linh proposed that shift meals for workers should be regulated by law, not converted into cash.
Regarding mid-shift meals, according to Article 103 of the 2019 Labor Code: Allowances, subsidies and incentives for employees are agreed upon in the labor contract, collective labor agreement or regulations of the employer.
Accordingly, shift meals are an incentive regime depending on the negotiation results and agreements between employees, employee representative organizations at the facility and employers.
Therefore, while the law does not have strict regulations on meal allowances, the Vietnam General Confederation of Labor has directed trade unions at all levels to promote the role of grassroots trade unions in enterprises in representing and protecting the legitimate rights and interests of workers through dialogue and negotiation on regimes and benefits (including mid-shift meals) for workers.
A representative of the Vietnam Confederation of Commerce and Industry (VCCI) said that union officials who want to dialogue to protect workers' rights need to have skills and need to listen to workers' opinions.
When employees are given regular input and participation in business improvement plans and initiatives, implementation of those initiatives becomes more effective and sustainable.
"Approving dialogue at the workplace will reduce collective labor disputes, limit strikes, and narrow the gap between employees and employers," said a VCCI representative.
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