Strengthen the stability of labor relations in enterprises

​(News Portal – Dong Nai) - In the first quarter of 2024, the production and business situation of some enterprises remained unstable, the livelihoods and employment of workers were still difficult, and labor relations still posed the risk of labor disputes. Strengthening measures to stabilize labor relations is a top priority for the Trade Union and various sectors and enterprises.

Increasing dialogue will help workers and businesses understand each other and create stable and harmonious labor relations. ​

Risk of labor disputes still exists

According to the Provincial Confederation of Labor, in 2023, there were 9 strikes at enterprises in the province with more than 1,000 workers participating (a decrease of 15 cases compared to 2022). The reasons for strikes were related to Tet bonuses, the implementation of labor regulations and policies when reducing labor, social insurance and health insurance regulations, and the behavior of management officials...

In the first quarter of 2024, there were 3 work stoppages at 3 enterprises related to lower Tet bonuses compared to last year. The Provincial Confederation of Labor directed local Trade Unions to coordinate with functional agencies in the area to persuade workers to return to work, negotiate and have dialogue with employers regarding the workers' demands. After the incidents, the workers returned to work as normal, but the strikes had an impact on the production situation and security order in the area.

However, labor strikes still leave consequences that cause production disruptions and labor instability, with the main reason being the implementation of labor regulations. Therefore, closer monitoring of enterprises' compliance with collective labor agreements and policies is necessary. In reality, in many places, signing collective labor agreements still encounters difficulties; the quality of collective labor agreements is not high, mainly copying labor laws without beneficial provisions for workers. Therefore, workers still suffer from disadvantages.

Recently, 1,700 out of 2,749 workers at Timber Industries Limited Company (Tam Phuoc Industrial Park, Bien Hoa City) collectively stopped working. The workers requested dialogue with the company's management to reconsider changes in working conditions, policies, and working hours. Specifically, the workers requested the company to maintain the previous working hours, implement the 13th-month salary as usual, and increase the quantity and quality of meals between shifts. Immediately after the incident, the provincial labor dispute resolution delegation organized mediation. The delegation proposed that the company consider adjusting the salary and bonus regulations, as well as the workers' demands.

Strengthening dialogue

According to the Provincial Confederation of Labor, besides some enterprises that have shown outstanding performance in terms of orders, there are still enterprises operating cautiously. Therefore, when changing policies, enterprises need to engage in dialogue with workers to report the situation and production plans so that workers can understand and sympathize with the difficulties the enterprises are facing.

In the past, at enterprises that have implemented democratic regulations at the grassroots level and conducted regular dialogues with workers, labor relations have always been stable, and workers have worked responsibly and been dedicated. Chairman of the Trade Union at Yuen Foong Yu Dong Nai Paper Company Limited (Long Thanh District), Do Nguyen Phuong, said that at the beginning of the year, the Trade Union collaborated with the company to organize a conference for workers to listen to their suggestions. The reasonable suggestions from workers are the basis for the company to change policies, ensuring that workers can work with peace of mind and be committed.

At the end-of-year sectoral meetings in 2023, Chairman of the Provincial Confederation of Labor, Nguyen Thi Nhu Y, emphasized that grassroots Trade Unions should have a firm grasp of labor relations, production activities, business operations, and compliance with laws, regulations, and policies regarding workers at enterprises. Strengthening monitoring of wage payment, bonuses, welfare, working environment, etc., is necessary to timely report to higher-level Trade Unions and advise party committees and authorities at all levels on solutions when complex issues and violations of laws arise. ​

In addition, enterprises should enhance dialogue, grasp the situation, and understand the thoughts and desires of workers. Dialogue will be a channel for workers to better understand the difficulties faced by enterprises and to share and avoid conflicts that can escalate into strikes. Along with that, it is essential to raise awareness among workers and employers about the importance of cooperation and sharing difficulties to maintain stability and development, and to minimize labor disputes that can affect enterprises and political security.