Vietnam's Largest Union Adds Nearly 689,000 Workers in Six Months
Published on 07/28/2026 at 05:52 | Redaktion boerse-global.de
As the Vietnam General Confederation of Labour (VGCL) marks 97 years since its founding on July 28, 1929, the organization is celebrating a surge in membership that underscores its growing influence among the country's workforce. Nationwide festivities on July 28, 2026, highlighted both organizational expansion and enhanced member welfare programs, with union officials reporting significant gains in recent years.
Leadership Praises Welfare Spending and Grassroots Efforts
During a central ceremony led by VGCL President Nguyen Anh Tuan, the union's achievements took center stage. Vice Chairman Ngo Duy Hieu noted that spending on member welfare had climbed by 32%. As part of the anniversary, 97 exemplary grassroots union chairpersons received awards for their work representing employees.
Regional commemorations began a day earlier, on July 27, 2026. In Ninh Binh province, Deputy Secretary of the Provincial Party Committee Dinh Thi Lua visited the local union federation, praising initiatives such as the "Tet Meeting," the "Union Tet Market," and "Workers' Month." These programs, she said, operate with budgets reaching several hundred billion Vietnamese dong.
Hanoi Leads Membership Drive
Statistical data for the first half of 2026 reveals strong momentum. Nearly 689,000 workers joined the VGCL nationwide between January and June. The capital city Hanoi stood out: 1,381 new grassroots unions were established there, bringing in over 53,400 members. July 2026 alone added 566 grassroots unions and 15,600 members in Hanoi.
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Local districts mirrored this trend. Hanoi's Duong Noi district union reported forming 31 new grassroots unions with 891 members during the first half of the year, raising its total to 45 grassroots unions with more than 4,367 members. In Vinh Tuy district, 14 new grassroots unions were recognized and 599 new members signed up. That district also distributed the resolution from the 14th Congress of the Vietnam General Confederation of Labour, covering the 2026-2031 period.
Financial Aid and Workplace Partnerships
Beyond recruitment, the union focused on concrete support. In Phan Rang district, 40 members received a total of 40 million VND in assistance during the first half of 2026, while 25 gift packages worth 500,000 VND each went to needy workers. Separately, 1,215 people took part in an online occupational safety competition.
In An Khe district, anniversary events included the distribution of 33 gifts valued at 35 million VND to relatives of war victims, plus 150 packages worth 75 million VND for struggling members. On July 26, 2026, the commune of Chien Dan handed out 400 gifts totaling 200 million VND.
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Collaboration with businesses also featured prominently. In Trang Dai district, Viet Duc International Investment Co., Ltd. hosted a communal meal for over 1,000 union members, covering 21,000 VND of each meal's 40,000 VND cost. Dong Phu Cuong Joint Stock Company distributed nearly 2,500 gifts, while other employers such as Freewell Company Limited marked the anniversary with sports competitions.
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