The Vietnam General Confederation of Labour (VGCL) and the Federation of Trade Unions of Ukraine (FTUU) have discussed solutions to build stronger grass root trade unions, increase the quality of collective negotiations and collective work agreements and the number of trade union members.

The discussion took place at a working session between VGCL President Dang Ngoc Tung and visiting FTUU President Iurii Kulyka in Hanoi on May 21.

Tung said that the Vietnam trade union has completed the target of having an additional 1.5 million new members for the 2008-2013 term, ahead of schedule.

VGCL will focus on its task of protecting legitimate interests and rights of workers and trade unionists and raising its voice in the making process of appropriate policies and regulations, he said.

He proposed the two countries’ trade union organisations promote mutual assistance at international forums, cooperate in training central-level cadres, exchange delegations and information and promote cooperation among trade unions of the two countries’ localities and sectors.

For his part, Iurii Kulyka said he hopes both sides will closely coordinate in devising and deploying worker policies.

During the first official visit to Vietnam for many years, the FTUU leader is scheduled to hold working sessions with the VGCL Chapters of Ho Chi Minh City and southern Ba Ria-Vung Tau province.-VNA