May with many practical activities for union members and workers

Peak month of caring for union members and workers

138 years ago, on May 1, 1886, an important event took place in Chicago (USA), marking the development of the world workers' movement. Responding to the call of the American Federation of Labor, tens of thousands of workers across Chicago went on strike, held rallies and demonstrated on the streets with the slogan "8-hour work day". This was the inevitable result of a long struggle since the second half of the 19th century by workers in many countries around the world when they were heavily exploited for their labor.

To acknowledge the achievements of the workers' movements in all countries, right at the founding congress of the Second International, on July 14, 1889, the delegates of the working class passed a resolution to make May 1st the Day of Solidarity and Struggle of workers all over the world. Since then, May 1st has become International Labor Day.

In Vietnam, on May 1, 1930, for the first time in the history of the workers' movement in Indochina, the working class of our country under the leadership of the Communist Party of Vietnam demonstrated in the streets to demonstrate revolutionary solidarity with international workers; at the same time, directly fought against French colonialism, demanding that France improve working conditions, increase wages and implement the 8-hour workday labor law.

On May 1, 1946, for the first time in the history of our country, International Labor Day was solemnly celebrated in Hanoi with the participation of 200,000 working people. Since then, International Labor Day (May 1) has become one of the major holidays of the country, a festival of the working class and laborers of Vietnam.

President of the Vietnam General Confederation of Labor Nguyen Dinh Khang speaks at the launching ceremony of Workers' Month 2024

According to Party Central Committee member and President of the Vietnam General Confederation of Labor Nguyen Dinh Khang, May is a month of special significance for cadres, union members and workers as it is International Labor Day on May 1. This is a festival of the working class and working people around the world, affirming the historical mission, position and role of the working class in the struggle for peace, national independence and social progress.

"In particular, May is also Workers' Month and Month of Action on Labor Safety and Hygiene, the peak month for organizing activities to care for union members and workers in all aspects, both materially, spiritually and healthily" - the President of the Vietnam General Confederation of Labor clearly stated.

May is also the month that receives deep attention from Party committees, authorities, employers, and the response of a large number of union members, workers, civil servants, and laborers, which has a positive impact on the whole society. May has become a meeting point, a time of anticipation for union officials, union members, laborers, and those working in occupational safety and health nationwide.

In May, many activities took place to care for union members and workers.

Many practical care activities

Union members and workers look forward to activities in May because this is the time when the most comprehensive care activities take place. This has been demonstrated through the "Workers' Month" seasons. Statistics from trade unions at all levels nationwide show that the 2023 Workers' Month has been implemented with relatively comprehensive results according to the proposed contents with themes suitable for implementation practices at the grassroots level such as: connecting workers with jobs; connecting quality of life with quality and efficiency of work; connecting workers with participation in policy and law making; with the Party, the National Assembly, the Government, and trade union organizations.

With 53,266 grassroots trade unions organizing activities in response, Workers' Month 2023 has increasingly penetrated the grassroots, has high action, has good results, attracting the active and responsible participation of a large number of trade union officials, union members, workers, civil servants and employers. The "May Dialogue" program has many new points with more than 1,200 dialogues at all levels and forums "Workers for businesses, businesses for workers" at the grassroots level.

In particular, during Workers' Month 2023, for the first time, 53 provincial and municipal labor federations coordinated with the National Assembly delegation to organize a thematic voter meeting between National Assembly deputies and workers, attracting nearly 1,000 opinions and recommendations, creating a premise for the General Confederation to propose that the National Assembly Chairman chair the first labor forum with the theme "Improving legal policies related to workers and trade unions"...

Union members and workers are taken care of comprehensively in terms of material and spiritual life, and their skills are improved - Photo: Illustration

Promoting those results, in Workers' Month 2024, we will focus on implementing 4 groups of activities: the program "Bringing the congress resolution into life", "May dialogue", "Thematic contact with voters and workers", "Thanking workers"...; organizing "Peak month for developing union members, establishing grassroots unions"; implementing activities to honor exemplary workers with many initiatives, creativity, and achievements in labor and production; organizing cultural, artistic, physical education and sports activities to serve union members, workers and civil servants.

In Hanoi, according to Chairman of the Hanoi Labor Confederation Pham Quang Thanh, during Workers' Month 2024, the Capital's Trade Unions at all levels will organize activities to visit and support workers in difficult circumstances, those who have suffered work-related accidents or occupational diseases; connect, introduce, and create job and vocational training opportunities for union members and workers.

At the same time, the grassroots trade union also strengthens negotiation and dialogue activities at the workplace, builds harmonious, stable and progressive labor relations; cares for the lives, jobs, salaries, bonuses, benefits, and working conditions of workers; organizes skill competitions, skilled worker competitions, honors talented workers, initiatives, and creativity... Thereby, strengthening the relationship between the trade union organization and workers, while contributing to improving the quality and life of workers in the area.

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