Vietnam's To Lam: Union effectiveness measured by worker satisfaction, not meetings

Vietnamese President and General Secretary To Lam urged trade unions to prioritize worker well-being and trust over administrative tasks, emphasizing their vital role in national development. Speaking at the 14th National Congress of the Vietnam General Confederation of Labour, Lam stated that the effectiveness of unions should be measured by "the confidence of union members, the satisfaction of workers, and the quality of collective bargaining agreements," rather than the number of meetings or activities.

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The effectiveness of trade unions must be measured by the confidence of union members, the satisfaction of workers, and the quality of collective bargaining agreements.

Lam highlighted the indispensable contribution of the working class to Vietnam's modernization and sustainable development. "There can be no sustainable development if the lives of workers remain difficult, if the legitimate voices of workers are not fully heard," he asserted. He underscored the working class as the vanguard force, the core of the alliance between workers, farmers, and intellectuals, directly contributing to the nation's material wealth and economic infrastructure.

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There can be no sustainable development if the lives of workers remain difficult, if the legitimate voices of workers are not fully heard.

While commending past union initiatives like "Tet Sum Vầy" (Reunion Tet) and "Worker's Month," which have brought unions closer to workers, Lam also pointed to shortcomings. He noted that some union activities remain overly administrative and focused on movements, failing to address workers' most pressing needs. He also identified limitations in some areas regarding the capacity to represent, negotiate, and protect workers' rights, particularly for those in industrial zones, export processing zones, migrant workers, and informal laborers facing challenges with income, housing, and job security.

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From factories, construction sites, mines, ports, industrial parks, export processing zones, to service sectors, technology, logistics, energy, healthcare, education, finance, and the digital economy today, everywhere there is the sweat, intellect, hands, and aspirations of the Vietnamese working class and laborers.