(BAFU) – On December 2, in Hanoi, the 13th National Congress of the Vietnam General Confederation of Labour (VGCL) for the 2023-2028 tenure opened with the participation of 1,100 delegates representing more than 11 million trade union members nationwide.
The congress took place for 3 days, from December 1 to 3. The 13th Congress of the Vietnam Trade Union is an important political event of the working class and the Vietnam Trade Union organization, and is an extensive political activity among officials, trade unionists and workers nationwide.
Party General Secretary Nguyen Phu Trong speaks at the congress
Party General Secretary Nguyen Phu Trong, President Vo Van Thuong and National Assembly Chairman Vuong Dinh Hue, along with many senior Party, State and Government officials joined representatives of big corporations and economic groups, and international delegates at the event.
Party and State leaders attended the Congress
The congress drew the participation of 1,100 delegates representing more than 11 million trade union members nationwide.
In his opening remarks, VGCL Standing Vice President Tran Thanh Hai noted that the congress is an important political event and a great festival of the working class and trade union organizations, which is expected to decide major matters relating to workers and public servants, as well as trade union operations.
VGCL Standing Vice President Tran Thanh Hai at the congress
VGCL Standing Vice President highlighted reforms by all-level trade unions and he said they and the working class have proven their position, role and responsibility in the cause of national industrialization and modernization, and international integration.
The congress will review achievements, look into shortcomings, draw lessons learned from the 2018 – 2023 term, and set out goals, tasks and solutions for the next five years.
Trade union congresses at all levels and the 13th Congress of VGCL are the first congresses held in one year. Trade unions at all levels have made many creative efforts in carrying out tasks, overcoming many difficulties. 110,081 grassroots trade unions organized congresses, 7,486 grassroots unions organized conferences, creating a premise for the immediate superior grassroots unions to conduct congresses.
Trade union congresses at all levels and the 13th Congress of Vietnam Trade Unions, are the first congresses to concretize the VGCL Development Strategy to 2030, with a vision to 2045 according to Resolution 02 dated June 12, 2021 of the Politburo on “Innovating the organization and operations of VGCL in the new situation”.
VGCL President Nguyen Dinh Khang speaks at the congress
VGCL President Nguyen Dinh Khang presented a report looking back on the performance by all-level trade unions, especially the VGCL, over the past five years, highlighting that they actively engaged in the process of building policies and laws to better protect the rights and interests of labourers, including pushing for raising the regional minimum wage, which has increased by 25.34% compared to the beginning of the term.
Addressing the congress, Party General Secretary Trong praised the efforts and achievements of workers’ movements and trade union organisations nationwide, emphasising that the trade union organisation of Vietnam has significantly contributed to strengthening the Vietnamese working class.
The leader asked the VGCL to be fully aware of its missions as a political-social organisation operating in a socialist-oriented market economy under the leadership of the Party and the management of the State. Therefore, it should continue coordinating with the State, agencies and organisations in the political system and employers to better ensure the legitimate rights and interests of labourers.
He also stressed the need to further revamp the communication work and personnel training in order to build a strong, modern working class, saying that trade union organisations should help each trade union member and labourer gain deeper awareness of the Party, the regime, the class, the trade union organisation, and citizen responsibilities, thus making greater efforts in studying and working, and actively participating in emulation movements. At the same time, trade unions at all levels must well perform their role as the representative of working people, taking care of and protecting their legal and legitimate rights and interests.
With the emergence of new employment forms and relations, all-level trade unions must adapt their organisational models, as well as the goals and methods of operation to the needs and aspirations of labourers, he said.
The leader reminded trade unions of their role in the building of the Party and political system, supervisions, social criticism, and the fight against corruption and other negative phenomena.
To meet requirements in the new situation, it is a must to further reform trade union activities and enhance the quality of trade union officials, he said, urging more attention from Party agencies, Party organisations, authorities and organisations to the work./.
Edited by: BAFU
