Promoting the glorious and heroic revolutionary tradition, continuing to build the working class and the Vietnamese Trade Union organization to be increasingly strong and comprehensive, worthy of being the pioneer force in the cause of innovation, construction and protection of the country.

Updated date: 12/03/2023 10:30:51

Speech by General Secretary Nguyen Phu Trong at the 13th Congress of Vietnam Trade Union, term 2023 - 2028.

General Secretary Nguyen Phu Trong delivered a directive speech at the solemn session of the 13th Congress of the Vietnam General Confederation of Labor, on the morning of December 2 (Photo: QUANG PHUC)

Dear Presidium of the Congress,

Dear delegates and guests,

With all comrades,

Today, in the heart of Hanoi - the place where the soul of the mountains and rivers has settled for thousands of years, the Capital of conscience and human dignity, gallantry and elegance, culture and heroism, the Vietnam General Confederation of Labor solemnly organizes the 13th National Congress (term 2023 - 2028) - an important event in the political life of the working class, laborers and the Vietnam General Confederation of Labor. First of all, on behalf of the Party and State leaders, I would like to warmly welcome the distinguished guests and 1,100 outstanding delegates representing the will, aspirations and intelligence of the working class, laborers nationwide and trade union organizations at all levels to attend the Congress. Through you, let me send to all cadres, union members, workers, civil servants and laborers nationwide my warm greetings, sincere greetings and best wishes. Wishing the Congress great success!

As we all know, the Vietnam Trade Union is a political and social organization of the working class and laborers led by the Communist Party of Vietnam , established on a voluntary basis, representing workers, caring for and protecting the legitimate and legal rights and interests of workers.

After more than 94 years of construction, operation, growth and development, we have the right to be proud and affirm that, under the leadership of the Party, the Vietnam Trade Union has continuously grown, is absolutely loyal to the Party and the class, has made worthy contributions to the great victory of the revolution, and has made an important contribution to building an increasingly strong Vietnamese working class. In the current period of the country promoting industrialization, modernization and comprehensive and deep international integration, the role and position of the Trade Union organization are affirmed and promoted more strongly than ever.

Dear comrades,

During the 2018 - 2023 term, the activities of the Trade Union organization, union members and workers took place in a context with many special features. In the first years of the term, trade unions at all levels implemented the Resolution of the 12th Congress of the Vietnam General Confederation of Labor with many advantages; the macro economy was stable, inflation was controlled, and the growth rate was quite good. However, since the beginning of 2020, the Covid-19 pandemic broke out, along with the impact of the Fourth Industrial Revolution, strategic competition between major countries, and armed conflicts in many places; the global economic, trade and inflation downturn has directly and comprehensively affected the employment, income, and life of union members, workers and trade union activities. At the end of the term, widespread unemployment occurred, and the number of workers having to leave businesses to return to their hometowns or move to the informal sector increased rapidly. In that context, our Party and State have had many correct and drastic policies and solutions to maintain jobs, ensure income, and minimize difficulties for workers. In particular, on June 12, 2021, the Politburo issued Resolution No. 02-NQ/TW on innovation of the organization and operation of the Vietnam Trade Union, creating a solid political foundation for innovation of trade union organization and operation, meeting the requirements of the new situation.

Implementing the Resolutions of the 12th and 13th National Congresses of the Party and the Resolution of the 12th National Congress of the Vietnam Trade Union, trade unions at all levels across the country have overcome all difficulties, innovated creatively, comprehensively and focusedly implemented all aspects of work, and basically completed the main goals and tasks set out. Immediately after the 12th National Congress of the Vietnam Trade Union, the Presidium of the Vietnam General Confederation of Labor organized propaganda, study, dissemination, and development of action programs to implement the Resolution; focused on implementing 3 breakthroughs and key tasks; and created new changes in trade union activities. Trade union activities have been strongly directed towards the grassroots, expanded and invested more in the non-state enterprise sector, focusing on activities of representing, caring for, and protecting the rights of union members and workers. With the continuous innovation of content and methods of operation, trade unions at all levels continue to affirm their role and solid position in the hearts of union members and workers, especially at a time when workers across the country are struggling with the Covid-19 pandemic. The organizational model of the Trade Union is increasingly being perfected; the quality of the trade union staff is gradually being improved. In all fields, many typical examples of advanced workers, civil servants, and laborers have emerged who are pioneers and successful in labor, production, and business; affirming the role of trade union organizations in the political system, further enhancing the glorious tradition of the Vietnam Trade Union.

These achievements are not only the result of the efforts of all cadres, workers, laborers, and trade unions, but also a testament to the position, role, and great responsibility of the working class and trade unions in the cause of national construction and development. On this occasion, on behalf of the Party and State leaders, I would like to warmly welcome, congratulate, commend, and highly appreciate the efforts, achievements, and progress of the workers' movement and trade union activities nationwide during the past term.

Dear comrades,

In addition to the results and achievements that have been achieved, we also need to frankly admit that the activities of trade unions and the workers' movement still have some limitations and shortcomings, which need to be promptly resolved, including the shortcomings and limitations that have been pointed out for many terms. Specifically: (1) Regarding the organizational model, the content and methods of trade union activities have been slow to be renewed, not keeping up with the rapid changes in economic and social life and labor relations. A number of trade union officials still lack depth; limited capacity, have not really promoted the sense of responsibility, enthusiasm, closeness to workers, and lack trade union activities skills. Therefore, they do not grasp the thoughts and aspirations and do not fully promote the role of representing and protecting the legitimate rights and interests of workers. (2) Regarding the quality of the workforce, our country's workers also have signs of disappointment and inadequacies; There are still many union members and workers whose awareness and professional skills do not meet the requirements of the labor market. The work of developing union members and establishing grassroots unions is not commensurate with the development of enterprises and workers, especially in the non-state enterprise sector (according to statistics, the rate of non-state enterprises with trade unions is still very low); in many places, the quality of union members is not high, especially in terms of political awareness; in particular, some are influenced, enticed, and incited by bad and hostile forces to do wrong things, causing instability in security, order, and social safety. The above shortcomings and limitations are the responsibility of party committees at all levels, authorities, and unions, especially the responsibility of trade unions. I propose that the Congress pay attention to discussing and carefully analyzing the causes of the shortcomings and limitations, drawing lessons from experience, in order to propose solutions to overcome them in this term.

Dear comrades,

We all know that the Resolution of the 13th National Party Congress has determined the country's development goals: By 2030, the 100th anniversary of the Party's founding: A developing country with modern industry and high average income. By 2045, the 100th anniversary of the founding of the Democratic Republic of Vietnam (now the Socialist Republic of Vietnam): Becoming a developed country with high income. To achieve that noble goal, more than ever, workers, laborers and trade unions in our country need to fully and deeply understand their position, role and historical mission, join hands to build the Vietnam Trade Union to be increasingly strong and comprehensive, worthy of being the largest representative organization, the center of gathering and uniting the working class and laborers nationwide; and be the pioneer force in carrying out the task of rapid and sustainable development of the country.

I highly welcome, appreciate and basically agree with the Political Report of the Executive Committee of the Vietnam General Confederation of Labor, term XII, presented to the Congress, especially the content, solutions and key tasks in the coming term. I would like to emphasize and suggest some more issues, hoping that comrades will pay attention, consider and decide:

Firstly, in directing and implementing trade union activities, it is necessary to deeply understand and fully grasp that the Vietnam Trade Union is a socio-political organization operating in a socialist-oriented market economy led by the Party and managed by the State; it is both a socio-political organization and an organization representing, caring for, and protecting the legitimate and legal rights and interests of workers. Trade union activities are under the comprehensive and absolute leadership of the Party; Trade unions need to actively coordinate with the State, agencies and organizations in the political system and employers to care for, represent and protect the legitimate rights and interests of workers. In the process of organizing activities, Trade Unions must promote the ownership of workers, aiming at the goal of building harmonious, stable and progressive labor relations. Pay attention to research, summarize practices, develop theories on the working class and trade union organizations in the conditions of a socialist-oriented market economy, and make trade union organizations at all levels truly the nucleus to gather and unite the working class and laborers throughout the country.

Second, continue to attach importance to and further innovate the content and methods of propaganda, mobilization, education, and training of cadres, civil servants, public employees, workers, and laborers to improve their professional qualifications, professional skills, political awareness, class awareness, patriotism, national pride, and self-respect, contributing to building an increasingly strong and modern Vietnamese working class.

The trade union must help each union member and worker to have a deeper understanding of the Party, the regime, the class, the trade union organization, and civic responsibility, to constantly strive in studying, working, and actively participating in emulation movements... to contribute to the development of each agency, unit, enterprise, and the country; thereby improving their income and life and that of their families. Forms of propaganda, mobilization, and education need to be diverse, paying attention to applying information technology in conjunction with traditional methods and forms, especially going deep, closely, working together, living, sharing, and mobilizing union members and workers. Innovating forms of propaganda, bringing Marxism-Leninism, Ho Chi Minh's thought, and the Party's guidelines and policies, and the State's laws and policies to workers, civil servants, and workers; especially being persistent and creative in organizing the study and following of Ho Chi Minh's thought, morality, and lifestyle; Specify criteria suitable for each group of union members and workers; build suitable models, promptly detect, commend and reward advanced examples in studying and following Uncle Ho's example.

Third, trade unions at all levels must affirm their role as representatives of workers, caring for and protecting their legitimate and legal rights and interests. Each trade union official must always ask and answer the question: What do workers join the trade union for and what are their benefits? Is it so that they can be educated, learn, practice and mature; to entrust their thoughts, feelings, aspirations and interests to the trade union; to trust that the trade union will represent, care for and protect their interests? Behind that question must be the efforts of the trade union organization and trade union officials to truly bring benefits and trust to workers. The representative role of the trade union organization is first and foremost demonstrated in actively participating in policy and law making; participating in building regulations, rules and labor rules in each agency, unit and enterprise, to convey the wishes and aspirations, and to promote the highest level of workers' ownership. Timely monitor, resolve and propose solutions to issues of concern and concern of workers. Further improve the effectiveness of dialogue and collective bargaining, expand the coverage of collective labor agreements to bring benefits to workers. Always pay attention to improving working conditions, housing, health care... to ensure safety for workers. Actively participate in building harmonious, stable and progressive labor relations at the enterprise, limit collective work stoppages; do not let bad elements take advantage of, entice and incite workers and laborers to commit illegal acts.

In the context of the complicated developments of the world and domestic economic situation, facing many difficulties, threatening the stability of employment and opportunities to increase income of workers, I suggest that the Vietnam General Confederation of Labor should pay attention to researching and developing long-term welfare programs; focusing on comprehensive care and support for union members and workers, especially those in difficult circumstances, those who have had work-related accidents, occupational diseases, and long-term illnesses. The care of the Trade Union must be specific, thoughtful, practical, paying attention to every meal, sleep, joy, and sadness of union members, workers and their families. From there, attract, gather and develop union members, especially workers and laborers outside the state sector, ensuring close ties between union members and workers and the trade union organization.

Fourth, it is necessary to continue to innovate more strongly the organizational model, content and methods of trade union activities to suit the labor structure, types of enterprises, needs and aspirations of workers and employees and the requirements of international integration. Faced with the emergence of new forms of employment, employment relations, changes in the need for workers to gather and connect, and institutions that allow the formation of independent workers' representative organizations outside of trade unions in enterprises, trade unions at all levels must base on the needs and aspirations of workers to determine appropriate organizational models, content, goals and methods of operation. Build a trade union organization model in an open, flexible and dynamic direction; pay attention to piloting a number of new models to attract and gather union members and employees. The method of trade union activities needs to be flexible, constantly creative, suitable for each group of union members and employees; focus on the grassroots, grasp the grassroots, promptly remove difficulties for the grassroots; Promoting democracy, strengthening discipline and order in trade union activities, it is necessary to have specific solutions to innovate the working methods and styles of trade union officials, especially full-time officials and grassroots trade union officials. Paying attention to administrative reform; resolutely fighting against bureaucracy, formalism and achievement disease in trade union activities. Implementing trade union activities deeply, comprehensively and substantially, focusing on implementing core and key tasks, bringing practical benefits to workers; building trust, creating cohesion between workers and trade union organizations so that the Vietnam Trade Union is truly an organization of workers, by workers and for workers.

Fifth, with its position as a socio-political organization, a solid political foundation of the Party, the State and the Regime, more than anyone else, the Trade Union must promote and do better in participating in building the Party and the political system, considering this also the responsibility and political rights of union members, workers, civil servants, employees and trade union organizations. Trade unions at all levels must actively fight to protect the Party's political platform, policies and guidelines, the State's policies and laws; perform well the role of social supervision and criticism, participate in giving opinions on Party building and government building; prevent and combat corruption, waste and negativity; give advice to party members, prevent and combat degradation in political ideology, ethics, lifestyle, "self-evolution", "self-transformation" within the Party in appropriate forms, contributing to the successful implementation of the Resolution of the 4th Central Committee of the 11th and 12th terms, the Conclusion of the 4th Central Conference of the 13th term on promoting the building and rectification of the Party and a truly clean and strong political system. Strengthen the introduction to foster and admit outstanding and outstanding union cadres and union members into the Party; focus on discovering and fostering advanced and core union members in enterprises and units outside the state and non-public sectors.

To meet the requirements of directing trade union activities in the new context, it is required that the team of trade union cadres must be sufficient in quantity and constantly improved in quality. Trade union cadre work needs to be innovated more strongly, with close coordination between the upper-level trade union and the Party Committee in trade union cadre work. Trade union cadres must be carefully selected, regularly trained, practiced, and professionally trained, improve their skills and mettle, have qualities, abilities, thinking, vision, enthusiasm, responsibility, be politically steadfast, be good at expertise, have a firm grasp of the law, and be knowledgeable about trade union work; have good skills and methods of mass mobilization, and have the ability to handle situations to lead and inspire union members and workers.

Dear comrades,

One of the most important tasks of this Trade Union Congress is to elect the Executive Committee of the Vietnam General Confederation of Labor, term XIII. I request the delegates attending the Congress to uphold their responsibility, be clear-headed, and impartial in selecting comrades who are truly exemplary in their mettle, political qualities, ethics, lifestyle, and who have capacity, prestige, enthusiasm, and high responsibility for the Executive Committee.

With the viewpoint that building a strong Vietnamese Trade Union and a modern, strong Vietnamese working class that meets the requirements of the new situation is the responsibility of the Party, the political system and the whole society, I propose that the Central Party Committees; Party committees, Party organizations, authorities and unions at all levels, according to their functions and tasks, continue to pay attention to leading, directing, coordinating and supporting the activities of Trade Unions at all levels, especially taking care of building a team of trade union cadres; assigning comrades with sufficient capacity, qualities, prestige, knowledge and experience in trade union activities to be key trade union cadres at all levels; regularly inspect and supervise the implementation of the Party's guidelines and policies, the State's policies and laws on workers and trade unions; direct the authorities and relevant agencies to promptly resolve issues that union members and workers are concerned about and concerned about; create all conditions for trade unions to operate, especially support, care for, and ensure social welfare for workers.

With the glorious tradition of the Vietnam Trade Union over the past 94 years, along with the great achievements and the spirit of " Innovation - Democracy - Solidarity - Development " of this Congress, I earnestly hope and believe that in the 2023-2028 term, the term towards the 100th anniversary of the founding of the Vietnam Trade Union, the Trade Union organization and the Vietnamese workers' and laborers' movement will certainly have new developments, establish even greater and more impressive achievements, make worthy contributions to the innovation process, successfully carry out the cause of industrialization and modernization of the country, contribute to the historical mission of the working class to the country and the nation; build Vietnam to be increasingly rich, democratic, fair and civilized.

I wish our 13th Congress of Vietnam Trade Union great success and will certainly be a great success!

Wishing all distinguished guests and delegates good health, happiness and success!

Thank you very much!

According to SGGP

Source