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On the afternoon of December 19, in Hanoi, Huynh Thanh Xuan, vice president of the Vietnam General Confederation of Labor (VGCL), hosted a meeting with a delegation from the Cyprus Trades Union International of Workers in the Building, Wood, Building Materials and Allied Industries (UITBB) led by Michalis Papanikolaou, UITBB general secretary, and general secretary of Cyprus Building, Wood, Mine and General Workers Union (PEO).

Vice President of the Vietnam General Confederation of Labor, Huynh Thanh Xuan (second from left), received Michalis Papanikolaou, General Secretary of the Cyprus Trades Union International of Workers in the Building, Wood, Building Materials and Allied Industries (UITBB).

During the meeting, Vice President Huynh Thanh Xuan expressed his heartfelt gratitude for the attention the Cyprus Trades Union International of Workers in the Building, Wood, Building Materials and Allied Industries has shown to the activities of the Vietnam Construction Trade Union in particular, and the Vietnam Trade Union in general. He voiced his confidence that the traditional friendship between the two countries, as well as the friendship and cooperation between VGCL and PEO, would be further strengthened through collaborations on international forums and delegation exchanges in the near future.

In response, Michalis Papanikolaou extended his gratitude for the warm reception by the Vietnam Trade Union and shared updates on the activities of the Cyprus Building, Wood, Mine, and General Workers Union. With nearly 90 years of operation, the union currently comprises seven sectoral unions and operates across various industries. In recent years, the COVID-19 pandemic and geopolitical conflicts in Europe have driven up costs, adversely affecting the lives of Cypriot workers, some of whom have fallen into poverty and live below basic standards.

In such a challenging context, the Cyprus Building, Wood, Mine, and General Workers Union has made considerable efforts to safeguard workers' rights, achieving tangible results such as wage increases and the negotiation of new labor agreements that benefit workers.

Through its observations of enterprises and grassroots unions in Vietnam, Papanikolaou acknowledged and appreciated the Vietnamese government’s support for trade union activities and the close relationship between workers and grassroots unions. He expressed hope for opportunities to learn from the experiences and successes of the Vietnam Construction Trade Union and VGCL in general, particularly as Vietnam develops a multi-sector economy.

Vice President Huynh Thanh Xuan commended the Cyprus Building, Wood, Mine, and General Workers Union for its efforts in protecting workers' rights amidst economic and political volatility in Europe. He also shared insights into the Vietnam Trade Union’s structure and achievements. Over its 95-year history, the Vietnam Trade Union has grown into a four-tiered system with approximately 11.8 million members. In July 2024, it celebrated its 95th anniversary.

Through persistent efforts and active implementation, the Vietnam Trade Union has achieved significant results in representing, caring for, and protecting members and workers. These include enhancing the quality of participation in policymaking and legislation concerning workers and trade unions, effectively serving as a member of the National Wage Council, successfully negotiating a 23% increase in regional minimum wages over the past five years, and securing an additional 6% increase effective July 1, 2024. The union has also focused on collective bargaining and improving agreements.

In particular, VGCL is currently prioritizing key initiatives and action programs to implement the resolutions of the 13th National Congress of Vietnamese Trade Unions for the 2023–2028 term, with a focus on three breakthrough areas.

Looking ahead, Vice President Huynh Thanh Xuan proposed that the Cyprus Union continue to foster bilateral relations through delegation exchanges and explore specific, effective collaborative activities. He also called for the union’s support for VGCL and the Vietnam Construction Trade Union on international platforms.

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