The secret to success of the worker "arbitrator"

Multiple modes are implemented

At the end of April, the weather started to get hot, but many workers of Sumidenso Vietnam Co., Ltd. who live far away did not feel tired because they had cars to pick them up and drop them off at their workplaces. This has only been implemented since 2023, before that, workers still had to pay for their own transportation to work. That was the result of a dialogue between workers and employers. The organizer of these dialogues was the company's trade union executive board. In this dialogue, about 1,000 workers wanted to stay with the company for a long time but were getting older and traveling was not as safe as before, so they asked the company to support them with shuttle buses. In response to this need, the company invested billions of VND to arrange more than 20 free shuttle buses for workers in remote districts. The company is surveying routes in Chi Linh City, Kinh Mon Town, and Ninh Giang District. If workers have a need, it will continue to support them.

Sumidenso Vietnam Co., Ltd. currently has more than 11,000 workers and employees. Here, there is not much distance between union officials and workers. Work exchanges, recommendations and proposals take place every day during the working process, together resolving difficulties and obstacles.

In addition to the grassroots union chairmen, there are also labor mediators. These are people working at the Department of Labor, War Invalids and Social Affairs, the Labor Federation at the higher level directly at the grassroots level, participating in mediating cases submitted by workers. Near the recent Tet holiday, the Department of Labor, War Invalids and Social Affairs of Kim Thanh district received a petition from workers about Leo Industries Far East Vietnam Co., Ltd. in Tuan Viet commune ceasing operations. Workers were very confused because they had no jobs near Tet, and were worried about the company's salary and bonuses. Mediators intervened to propagate the regime, policies, and laws to both the company and the workers. Thanks to that, the legitimate rights of workers were guaranteed. The company had properly and fully implemented the regulations and agreements before ceasing operations.

Also in January 2024, labor conciliators of Kim Thanh district successfully mediated a small conflict between employees and the employer Fantastic International Company Limited (Phu Thai Industrial Park) regarding the Tet bonus for the year of the Dragon. The company increased the bonus for each worker from 3.2 million VND to 4 million VND. Mr. Pham Van Liem, Head of the Department of Labor, War Invalids and Social Affairs of Kim Thanh district, said: "Every time a conciliation is successful, everyone breathes a sigh of relief. Each conciliator must cultivate soft skills to achieve good results when conciliating."

In recent years, thanks to the “third party”, the relationship between workers and business owners has gradually improved, with fewer collective work stoppages and disputes during the production process. From listening, sharing, encouraging to sharing the same viewpoint, creating a harmonious environment, mutually beneficial for both parties, improving labor productivity and economic efficiency.

Experienced

Although he is a part-time union official, the union leader is not afraid to "take the blame" with the desire to bring good things to the workers. Mr. Nguyen Hoang Lan, Permanent Vice President of the Union of Sumidenso Vietnam Co., Ltd., said that if the business wants to develop, the workers must be stable. Since its establishment (2005), the company's Union has promoted collective strength and enhanced the role of each member of the Executive Committee. As a union official, it is necessary to know how to listen and understand, put yourself in the position of the employee, the employer will find a reasonable and harmonious solution. Before each program and activity takes place, the union often asks for the opinions of the employees to organize it properly, meeting their wishes and aspirations. The organization is carried out professionally and methodically, demonstrating the respect of the union organization for the employees.

According to Truong Van Lung, Head of the Department of Labor, War Invalids and Social Affairs of Hai Duong City, when faced with an incident, the mediator must thoroughly understand and work with the relevant parties to grasp the thoughts and concerns of each person. Mediation cases often take a long time, some cases can be resolved in a month, but others can last for 3-4 months. Mediation cases are mainly conflicts over salaries, bonuses and policies between businesses and workers. Some people understand the provisions of the law, but others do not. The mediator's responsibility is to patiently explain and propagate.

To unite workers and create equal and respectful relationships within the enterprise, union officials and mediators must be reputable, dedicated, and have effective negotiation, dialogue and persuasion skills. They are not only a bridge but also a reliable support for workers and business owners.