Hanoi trade union brings “warm spring” to needy workers

Ngo Thu Huyen, a worker at the Hanoi Textbook Printing Joint Stock Company, feels the atmosphere of Tet [Vietnam’s traditional Lunar New Year] as she receives gifts from the city's trade union.

Huyen was one of nearly a thousand workers who benefited from the city's "Tet Reunion - Spring of Cohesion" program, which was held on January 21 to help disadvantaged workers.

"We feel that Tet is getting closer thanks to the attention of the Hanoi union. The gifts will cheer up the Tet of underprivileged workers like us," Huyen told The Hanoi Times. 

Workers wrap Banh chung for Tet. Photos: Van Ha/The Hanoi Times

At the event, city leaders extended Tet greetings to workers, while the Hanoi Labor Federation presented 10,000 gifts to the underprivileged and will arrange buses to take 1,200 of them home for the Tet holiday.

The amount of Lunar New Year support for underprivileged workers across the city is estimated at VND1.6 trillion (nearly US$65.2 million).

In addition, games such as wrapping Banh chung or glutinous rice cake and lucky drawing were held for the workers. They were also able to buy Tet items at booths with 15-50% discounts.

The program testifies to the role of the Hanoi government and enterprises in caring for the spiritual and material lives of trade unionists and workers, ensuring that everyone can enjoy a decent Tet celebration. 

Workers participate in the contest of wrapping Banh chung.

Vu Thi Thanh, a worker at Yamazaki Noi Bai Company in Hanoi's suburban district of Soc Son, shared her joy over the Tet gifts with The Hanoi Times: "With the support of my company and the Hanoi Trade Union, my family is very happy because we are facing economic difficulties. I hope workers like us will have a more fulfilling and warmer Tet."

Secretary of the Hanoi Party Committee Dinh Tien Dung appreciated the Hanoi Trade Union for caring and protecting the rights and legitimate interests of workers. "The annual Tet reunion program has a humane meaning and contributes to taking care of workers and bringing them joy on the occasion of Tet," he said.

Emphasizing the important tasks for the coming year, Dung asked the Hanoi Federation of Labor to encourage its members and workers to fulfill all the set goals and tasks and make an important contribution to the socio-economic development of the capital city and the country.

President of the Hanoi Federation of Labor Pham Quang Thanh awards the winner of Banh chung wrapping contest.

"The city union should coordinate with enterprises to help workers in need, develop production and business, and protect workers' legitimate rights and interests. It is necessary to provide financial support to disadvantaged workers during the 2024 Tet holiday and organize bus trips to take them home to enjoy Tet most safely," the secretary added.

This is the 10th consecutive year that the Hanoi Labor Federation has organized the program to bring a happy New Year to all workers. Pham Quang Thanh, Chairman of the Federation, said that the Hanoi Labor Federation has actively proposed to enterprises and employers to take care of workers' lives with effort and determination.

He added that Tet gifts for union members and workers not only have material significance but also provide great spiritual encouragement; they show concern and care for workers from both enterprises and unions.

"After 10 years of holding the program, the Hanoi Trade Union has achieved very respectable results, contributing significantly to improving the welfare of workers. Tet Reunion has truly become an activity that workers look forward to and that receives special attention from Party and State leaders," Thanh stressed. 

Workers enjoy shopping at the Union Tet Market with vouchers provided by the union.