Party leader lauds trade union activities

Hanoi (VNA) - Party General Secretary Nong Duc Manh spoke highly of the progress made in trade union activities over recent years and affirmed that the Party and the State always create favourable conditions for all workers to make contributions to national construction.

The Party leader made the statement at the 10 th National Trade Union
Congress that opened in Hanoi on November 3.

He asked trade union representatives nationwide to give opinions to help
improve union-related policies and monitoring the implementation of these
policies.

Addressing the event, President of the Vietnam General Confederation
of Labour Dang Ngoc Tung stressed the need for trade unions at all levels to
improve the activities and the activists' capacity and to expand their
membership, particularly in the non-state and foreign-invested sectors.

The congress cited the reform in trade unions' operation, the protection of
the legitimate rights and interests of union members and the establishment
of harmonious labour relations as the Trade Union's tasks in the next term
(2008-2013).

It also set a target of admitting at least 1.5 new union members by the end
of 2013.

The Congress, which will run until November 5, was attended by State
President Nguyen Minh Triet, Prime Minister Nguyen Tan Dung, National
Assembly Chairman Nguyen Phu Trong, Chairman of the Vietnam Fatherland Front
Central Committee Huynh Dam and almost 1,000 outstanding delegates
representing more than six million trade union members across the country.
The function was also participated by delegations from Australia ,
Cambodia , China , Cuba , Denmark , Laos , Norway , Russia ,
Singapore , Sweden , Japan along with representatives from
international organisations, diplomatic missions and NGOs in Hanoi.-Enditem