Vietnam's 10-Million-Strong Union Congress Pushes for Higher Wages and Shorter Hours Amid Growth Drive
04.06.2026 - 08:05:23 | boerse-global.de
Nearly ten million workers are watching as 780 delegates gather in Hanoi this week to shape the future of the Vietnamese General Confederation of Labour. But before any strategy is set, the rank-and-file have made their demands clear: raise the minimum wage, cut the standard working week, and adjust the retirement age for those in hazardous jobs. Expanded social housing—so-called “union dormitories”—also ranks high on their wish list.
The 14th Congress opened Wednesday at the National Convention Centre under the banner “Unity – Democracy – Discipline – Innovation – Development.” Running until June 5, it will chart the organisation’s course for the next five years. On the agenda: electing a new 14th Executive Committee and debating amendments to the union’s statutes.
First, however, delegates are reviewing the implementation of resolutions adopted at the previous congress, covering the 2023–2026 period. The programme began with a visit to the Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum, followed by working sessions grouped around five thematic priorities. Thursday brings a plenary session with representatives of the Party and the state—broadcast live—where the formal leadership vote is expected.
A core objective is aligning worker interests with national economic ambitions. On Friday, delegates are scheduled to hold direct talks with the Prime Minister on how unions can help the government achieve double-digit growth rates and boost labour productivity. To that end, the congress is launching a new competition initiative called “Excellent Worker, High Productivity, Good Income.”
The need is acute. Between 2023 and 2026, workers submitted more than 383,800 improvement proposals. The resulting savings exceeded the equivalent of €1.4 billion. Over the same period, unions provided financial support to nearly 23 million members, spending a total budget of over €950 million. Around €530 million of that went toward Tet (Lunar New Year) assistance.
Digital transformation is another pillar of the 2026–2031 plan. Projects include setting up a “Digital Library” at the grassroots union level and building digital platforms for membership management.
The largest regional bloc at the congress comes from Ho Chi Minh City, with 92 representatives. That city’s union federation has already signed cooperation agreements to construct roughly 110,000 rental apartments for workers between 2026 and 2030.
By Friday, the congress is expected to adopt a roadmap designed to strengthen the role of unions in an economy undergoing rapid digitalisation—while keeping the demands of ten million members front and centre.
