Hanoi (VNA) –The most important challenge facing the Vietnamese working class is to get ready to ride the fourth industrial revolution, said Deputy Prime Minister Vu Duc Dam.

Speaking at a conference of the Vietnam General Confederation of Labour (VGCL) in Hanoi on January 12, the Deputy PM pointed out that Vietnam and other countries are embarking on the revolution, which requires integration in both depth and width, as well as renovation.

He praised significant contributions made by the VGCL and trade unions at all levels to national socio-economic achievements in 2017, and expressed his hope that the general confederation will continue its coordination with the Government to care for labourers’ life.

As Tet (Lunar New Year) is nearing, the official asked the VGCL to join hands with all-level competent agencies to ensure a safe and happy holiday for all labourers.

At the conference, the VGCL set forth tasks for all-level trade unions in 2018, focusing on preparing the 12th national trade union congress for the 2018-2023 tenure, and contributing to developing policies and laws directly relating to trade union members and labourers.

Trade unions at all levels will increase their supervision of the implementation of policies and laws towards labourers, especially the adjustment of regional minimum wages in 2018, while working on the adjustment plan in 2019.

In 2017, the VGCL has surpassed the target of 10 million members set for 2013-2018 tenure, the conference heard.

The confederation’s chapters have involved in the negotiation and signing of 27,866 collective labour contracts in 2017, up 817 contracts compared to 2016.  The trade unions also organised 30,641 regular dialogues with businesses, up nearly 39 percent against 2016, and 3,101 unexpected dialogues, a rise of close to 21 percent year-on-year, helping timely address concerns of labourers at the grassroots level.

They also participated in 24,446 inspections of the enforcement of policies and laws towards labourers as compared with some 20,446 inspections conducted in 2016.-VNA