The 15th annual Workers Month and the Action Month for Labour Safety and Hygiene in 2023 kicked off in HCM City on April 22. — VNS Photo Nguyễn Diệp

HCM CITY — The 15th annual Workers Month began last Saturday in HCM City with a number of activities meant to improve employee engagement and take care of employees' needs.

Speaking at the launching ceremony, Trần Đoàn Trung, deputy standing chairman of the HCM City Labour Federation, said the month is the city’s annual event honouring the value of labour, and the positive contributions of local cadres, union members and workers to the city's development process.

He expects the workforce to continue promoting the tradition of dynamism and creativity in order to create more value for agencies, units, businesses and society, thereby building a better life, a happy family, and a prosperous country.

“In the context of the global economy continuing to face uncertainty, the city hopes that the business community will continue developing sustainably to ensure stable jobs and pay more attention to improving the welfare of employees,” he said.

The event this year will focus on strengthening dialogue and negotiations with employers about salaries, bonuses, wages, allowances, and measures guaranteeing occupational safety and health for workers.

It will organise many meaningful activities to thank workers and increase employee engagement, a forum called “Workers for businesses, businesses for workers” and a programme called “Dialogue in May”.

It will support the establishment and operation of all grassroots-level trade unions, and introduce elite union members to the Party for consideration and admission.

Meetings between local authorities, businesses, trade unions, and workers, and job fairs and skills contests will be included.

A programme called “Each grassroots trade union, one membership benefit" responding to the Action Month for Labour Safety and Hygiene in 2023 also kicked off on the same day.

The action month is being marked concurrently to raise awareness of labour safety and hygiene among both workers and employers.

Nguyễn Hồ Hải, deputy secretary of the municipal Party Committee, said the city's workforce has made great strides in both quality and scale. It has been the most important force, directly contributing to the city's high economic growth in recent years.

The quality of the workforce plays a decisive role in the productivity, quality and efficiency of the production of enterprises and the country’s socio-economic development, he said.

“Therefore, it is necessary to focus on investing in training, retraining and advanced training, as well as improving the educational, professional and vocational skills of workers, especially young workers,” he said.

All grassroots-level trade unions in the city are organising activities to honour the workforce and provide better care and protect the legitimate rights and interests of workers during the month, he said.

He asked trade unions to continue to achieve results, promptly resolve problems and difficulties related to employment, income, education, housing, healthcare, space for cultural activities and entertainment, and the uptake of services, particularly for children of migrant workers.

Authorised agencies need to strengthen inspection, supervision, and strictly manage violations of laws affecting the rights and interests of workers.

The city will make greater efforts to improve its investment environment to continue attracting more investors for economic development, contributing to job creation and improving the material and spiritual life of workers. — VNS