Fisheries trade unions – The house of fishermen

Although fisheries trade unions have been established only over the past several years at localities, they have become a common house connecting fishermen onshore, as well as at sea.

Connecting fishermen

With 32-year experience of fishing at sea, fisherman Le Van Chien in Xuan Ha ward, Thanh Khe district, Da Nang city, understands thoroughly the dangers and hardships faced at sea. Speaking on Vietnam Government’s Portal, he said that fishermen really need a sheet-anchor to feel safe in fishing.

By joining fisheries trade unions, fishermen are more organized in carrying out their work. (Photo: VGP)

Fisherman Chien’s desire is the thought and aspiration of a majority of vessels’ owners, fishermen and maritime labourers. To satisfy the legitimate demand, in 2014, the Da Nang city Confederation of Labour established the fisheries trade unions at localities to gather and connect fishermen at sea, promptly assisting vessels’ owners and fishermen in dangerous situations.

Fisherman Chien affirmed that after joining fishermen trade unions, vessels and fishermen are much closer at sea. They fish in organizational teams and have regular contact with each other. “This not only helps fishermen raise fishing productivity, but also improves the efficiency of rescue work at sea.”

Nguyen Quang Hau, President of the Xuan Ha ward fisheries trade union, said that the initial efficiency of the establishment of the organization was that it helped disseminate the preferential Party and State policies on offshore fishing, and helped fishermen assist each other in case of accidents at sea or being threatened by foreign vessels.

In 2015, the ward fisheries trade union worked with the Da Nang city Farmers’ Association and the city Department of Protection and Exploitation of Fisheries Resources to organise a training course for 34 vessels’ owners and 200 fishermen on realising the Prime Minister’s decree on measures to prevent and mitigate Vietnamese fishing vessels being detained by foreign vessels.

“Through the training course, fishermen grasped thoroughly the key Party and State policies in terms of national sea and island sovereignty,” he said. “Fishermen understand thoroughly that they have to strictly obey Vietnam’s laws by not violating foreign waters for fishing.”

Caring for members’ lives

Over the past years, fisheries trade unions have also cared for their members’ lives well through practical and specific activities. “Recently, the fishing vessel of two members, Nguyen Nam and Tran Van Minh, had an accident at sea. The Xuan Ha ward fisheries trade union called up support worth millions of VND for these two members,” said Mr. Hau.

According to Hoang Huu Nghi, Vice President of the Da Nang city Confederation of Labour, more and more fishermen joined fisheries trade unions. “There are currently 4 fisheries trade unions in the city with 491 members and 111 offshore fishing vessels,” he said.

“With the role of linking fishermen, fisheries trade unions in Da Nang city have mobilised over VND2 billion in direct support for disadvantaged members and for more fishing equipment,” Mr. Nghi went on to say.

In Quang Nam province, fisheries trade unions have also developed strongly. So far, the province has reported 8 fisheries trade unions with over 1,500 members.

Binh Minh commune, Thang Binh district, Quang Nam province has gathered 129 fishing vessels to assist each other at sea. After its establishment, the communal fisheries trade union worked with the provincial Confederation of Labour to provide loans to fishermen to buy maritime equipment and upgrade vessels for greater economic efficiency and income.

In addition, the organization in collaboration with the provincial Department of Protection and Exploitation of Fisheries Resources and Red Cross to disseminate information about protecting the national sea and island sovereignty, give medical check-ups and medicines to fishermen, and provide fishermen with life jackets to reduce risks at sea.

It can be said that besides the Party and State policies, the establishment of fisheries trade unions has encouraged fishermen to develop offshore fishing, producing seafood products for society and contributing to protecting the national sea and island sovereignty./.

( Compiled by VNF )