To promote the role of commune-level trade unions in the transition period

The implementation of the two-level local government model from July 1, 2025 is an important administrative reform step, contributing to streamlining the apparatus and improving the efficiency of local management. Along with that, the trade union organization has also been gradually rearranged to suit the new model, in which the establishment of trade unions at commune, ward and special economic zones is a notable content. However, in the transition period, the reality in some localities shows that trade union activities at the commune level still face many obstacles that need to be promptly removed.

Viet Hung Ward currently has 86 trade unions with 12,000 union members. (In photo: Production at Weili Ha Long Textile Co., Ltd., Viet Hung Industrial Park).

Up to now, 262 trade unions of communes, wards and special economic zones have been established nationwide. Quang Ninh alone has established 22 trade unions of communes, wards and special economic zones. The Vietnam General Confederation of Labor has issued Official Letter No. 4251/TLĐ-ToC dated June 12, 2025, providing temporary guidance on the tasks and powers of trade unions of communes, wards and special economic zones, which is the initial basis for localities to deploy activities in accordance with the new organizational model.

However, due to the process of perfecting the mechanism, the commune-level trade union is currently only performing its tasks at the level of coordination and guidance of grassroots trade unions, and is not yet able to operate comprehensively. Commune and ward trade unions have not been allocated operating funds and do not have enough specialized staff, leading to the implementation of tasks being passive and interrupted.

Mr. Nguyen Ngoc Sau, Chairman of Viet Hung Ward Trade Union, shared: We really hope that the ward trade union will soon start operating substantially, because currently the ward has 86 grassroots trade unions with more than 12,000 union members but does not have conditions in terms of human resources, funding, as well as specific guidance documents, so it is not possible to organize regular activities as desired.

Previously, district-level unions were organized with a full apparatus, payroll, and independent budget. Currently, commune-level unions are in a transitional phase, organized on a temporary basis. Some cadres assigned to do union work at communes and wards have no experience in union work. Financial work has not been clearly decentralized, affecting the ability to carry out tasks locally.

Ms. Pham Thi Thuy Ha, Deputy Head of the Trade Union Working Committee (Provincial Fatherland Front Committee) said: Trade unions in communes, wards and special zones have been established and elected Executive Committees. However, to promote their role in practice, it is necessary to perfect the system of legal documents, especially the revised Trade Union Charter, as well as specific financial mechanisms.

The early implementation of the revised Trade Union Charter will help stabilize trade union activities. (Photo: Meeting of the Trade Union Executive Committee of Yazaki Hai Phong Co., Ltd. Branch in Quang Ninh).

Along with the reorganization of commune-level trade unions, grassroots trade unions in commune-level state administrative agencies have also been merged or dissolved. According to the Provincial Federation of Labor, the total number of grassroots trade unions in the province has decreased from 2,274 to 1,180; the number of union members has decreased from more than 141,000 to 107,538. This change requires an effective connecting and coordinating role from commune-level trade unions to maintain smooth union activities at the grassroots level.

In reality, the important thing now is to soon issue a new Trade Union Charter, which clearly stipulates the functions, tasks, organizational structure, staffing regime and financial mechanism for commune-level trade unions. At the same time, it is necessary to provide unified guidance nationwide on the operating method so that commune, ward and special zone trade unions have a full legal basis in implementing their tasks, avoiding confusion and prolonged waiting.

"Hopefully , there will be specific instructions and funding soon so that the commune-level trade union can perform its role of caring for and accompanying workers, especially in areas with many businesses like Viet Hung ward" - Chairman of Viet Hung ward Trade Union expressed.

Although there are still many issues that need to be improved, the establishment of commune-level trade unions is an important step in organizing the trade union system in accordance with the new organizational model of local authorities. With the close guidance of the Vietnam General Confederation of Labor, the initiative of the Provincial Federation of Labor and the coordination of local authorities, we believe that commune-level trade unions will soon stabilize their organizations, promote their effectiveness, and contribute to practically caring for workers in the new situation.

Thanh Hang

Source: https://baoquangninh.vn/dam-bao-hoat-dong-cong-doan-cap-xa-phuong-trong-giai-doan-chuyen-tiep-3366792.html