The Vietnam General Confederation of Labour (VGCL) and grassroots trade unions should continue caring for labourers, protect their legitimate interests and strive to halve the number of strikes in 2012.

The remark was made by Prime Minister Nguyen Tan Dung during his working session with the VGCL Presidium in Hanoi on Feb. 22.

The VGCL and its chapters need to organise checks and inspections on the implementation of the laws on labour and trade unions at enterprises to promptly deal with violations and obstacles, contributing to building harmony, stability and progress, he added.

In addition, he said the Government and the VGCL need to closely work in all aspects, including cooperation in building worker-related laws and policies, caring for labourers and dealing with strikes and legitimate requests of the workers.

They should also enhance coordination in exchanging information and receiving and settling worker issues on the job and in life, he said.

The PM asked the VGCL to expand the compassionate programme to help needy people and encourage people to support fishing trade unions and build mechanisms to protect labourers’ interests.

At the session, PM Dung praised efforts by the VGCL and grassroots trade unions in coordinating with local authorities to solve strikes and implement movements efficiently, contributing to the country’s socio-economic achievements.-VNA