PM commends trade unions for contributions to national development

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Prime Minister Nguyen Xuan Phuc at the event

He asked Vietnamese workers, in both the public and private sectors, to raise their sense of discipline in labour, fight corruption and wastefulness, and make ceaseless efforts for common interests. 

The VGCL was urged to improve the efficiency of trade union activities, devise an action plan to adapt to the fourth industrial revolution, and effectively tap into new-generation free trade agreements. 

At the same time, ministries and agencies were assigned to pay attention to the material and spiritual lives of workers, protect their legitimate rights and interests. 

He affirmed that 950 delegates to the 12th Congress of the VGCL are core nucleuses to inspire workers nationwide to join the programme on improving national competitiveness and sustainable development.

At the event, Minister of Labour and Social Affairs Dao Ngoc Dung called for further attention to vocational training due to the impacts of the fourth industrial revolution that brings about both opportunities and challenges. 

Deputy Prime Minister Vuong Dinh Hue said the government is refining the minimum salary system to protect interests of workers, especially vulnerable ones, including hourly and monthly minimum salary, ensuring that all living needs of workers will be covered by 2020. 

He added that the government also looks to create a multi-layer social insurance policy towards achieving all-people insurance coverage. 

Another adjustment is cutting duration for social insurance payment to 10 years from 20 years at current, making it easier for workers to enjoy early pension, he said. 

Head of the Party Central Committee’s Commission for Mass Mobilisation Truong Thi Mai said the government and trade unions need to work closely together to support workers. 

She highlighted skillfulness, reasonable income and safe working environment as crucial to ensure sustainable employment.