Dang Ngoc Tung, President of the Vietnam General Confederation of Labour (VGCL), made the statement at a ceremony in Hanoi on July 28 to mark the 80^th anniversary of the union.

He said that from the Red Union of Northern Vietnam – the precursor of the present-day VGCL – 80 years ago, the union has developed steadily and formed the core of the worker-peasant-intelligentsia alliance during the period of national revolution.  

The union’s key tasks today are to build up the working class in the cause of national industrialisation and modernisation, protect the interests and promote the spirit of mutual assistance among employees, said Mr Tung.   

The union is encouraged to launch additional exemplary role model campaigns to promote employees’ creativity and increase productivity. It hopes to enrol at least 1.5 million more members between now and 2013.

In his speech, National Assembly Chairman Nguyen Phu Trong affirmed that the Party and State create favourable conditions for employees to show off and make full use of their capability to contribute to the cause of national industrialisation and modernisation in the new era.

As the trade union plays a very important role in building the working class, it should better resolve practical problems which arise in production and daily life, bring into play employees’ combined strength and discover and replicate new role models to encourage employees to work harder, said Mr Trong.

He said that the union should inquire into employees’ moods and aspirations, work closely with the administration to improve their working and living conditions, develop policies, and create conditions for employees to exercise their mastery in production and business.

He also asked the union to pay more attention to Party building and sum up the working class’s role in the process of international integration and development of a socialist-oriented market economy.  

Mr Trong pinned the Gold Star Order – the highest distinction of the Party and State – on the traditional flag of the Vietnam Trade Union. This is the second time the union has received such an honour.