8.2.2. Employment practice unions

The University of Economics Ho Chi Minh City (UEH) maintains and develops the UEH Union as a legally recognized organization representing the rights and interests of all staff and employees, including women and international personnel working at the university. The union plays a crucial role in protecting labour rights, promoting social dialogue and collective bargaining, and improving the quality of life, both materially and mentally for UEH’s academic and administrative workforce, regardless of gender, nationality, or employment status. The UEH Union also serves as a vital bridge between leadership and employees, ensuring transparent communication, fair employment practices, and effective monitoring of labour rights implementation. This aligns with UEH’s commitment to decent work for all, inclusive economic growth, and the creation of stable, quality jobs within a sustainable institutional ecosystem.

Regular activities organized by the union include annual and mid-term review conferences, training programs for trade union officials, celebrations of major Vietnam Trade Union milestones, and thematic workshops on labour law, insurance, occupational health, and workplace safety. Notably, the UEH Union implements a variety of initiatives focused on gender equality, women’s welfare, community support, and safe, secure work environments. These actions reflect the university’s concrete recognition of labour rights and union participation for all staff, demonstrating that the union functions not merely in name but as an active, inclusive representative body, ensuring equal pay, decent working conditions, and productive employment opportunities for everyone.

Furthermore, all union policies and activities are publicly available on the UEH Union website, the UEH Portal, and official social media channels, reinforcing transparency, accountability, and open access to information. Through these measures, UEH actively contributes to advancing the principles of sustainable economic growth, inclusive employment, and the promotion of decent work and social protection — key goals under SDG 8.2.2 Employment Practice: Recognize Unions for All.

Activity	Participants	Description	Results / Impacts
UEH commits to equal labour rights and sustainable development for all staff and employees	UEH staff and employees (including women and international staff)	UEH publicly enforces labour rights policies through: – Gender equality and comprehensive welfare in recruitment: UEH ensures that recruitment, promotion, and employment are based on individual merit regardless of gender, age, skin color, marital status, ethnicity, religion, sexual orientation, culture, belief, or social background. – Fair competition and rewards: UEH recognizes and rewards outstanding individuals and teams who contribute to the university’s mission.	These policies establish clear strategic commitments, internal legal frameworks, and raise awareness of labour rights, ensuring protection and inclusivity for a diverse workforce.
UEH Union 2023 Review Conference and 2024 Mission Orientation	All trade union members (including women and international staff)	The conference summarized union activities, oriented future programs focusing on employee welfare, collective bargaining, and labour rights protection. Discussions highlighted employees’ rights, welfare, and 2025 planning priorities, emphasizing investment in union capacity and staff professional development.	– Reinforced the trade union’s role in UEH and strengthened labour equality policies. – Increased transparency in employee representation; recognized outstanding union units; improved staff competence and engagement.
Conference on Review of UEH Union Activities in the First 6 Months of 2024 and Implementation of Programs in the Last 6 Months of 2024	All trade union members (including women and international staff)	The conference presented a report summarizing trade union activities in the first half of 2024 and introduced the action plan for the second half of the year. Discussions focused on programs supporting union members and improving welfare policies.	Improved employee welfare policies, strengthened internal solidarity, and enhanced awareness of labour rights and decent work.
Training for UEH Union Officials 2024	Trade union officers at all levels	The training session focused on developing union leadership and skills to support employees, presenting UEH’s strategic directions for 2025–2030. The program raised awareness of the UEH multi-disciplinary and sustainable university model, aiming to build a strong grassroots union in line with the 16th UEH Union Congress (2023–2028).	– Enhanced effectiveness in collective bargaining and protection of workers’ rights. – Equipped officers with fundamental knowledge and practices to ensure decent, productive employment and quality of work life at UEH.
Celebrating the 95th anniversary of the founding of Vietnam Trade Union	UEH officials, staff, and employees	The event honored the contributions of trade union officers and promoted the traditional values of the Vietnamese labour movement.	– Encouraged union members to carry forward the spirit of dedication, creativity, and responsibility in organizing meaningful activities for UEH employees. – Strengthened team spirit and reaffirmed the union’s role as a channel protecting workers’ rights.  – Created motivation for trade union leaders to continue contributing to quality jobs, secure work, and sustainable well-being.
UEH Union 2024 Review Conference and 2025 Mission Orientation	All trade union members (including women and international staff)	The conference reviewed and assessed 2024 achievements, identified key priorities for 2025, and emphasized programs that improve employees’ living and working conditions, aligning with UEH’s commitment to inclusive and sustainable employment.	Defined the 2025 action plan, reinforced commitment to protecting employees’ rights, and enhanced the effectiveness of union operations toward sustainable economic growth and productive employment.
UEH Labor Union to host ‘2024 Social Insurance Law’ report	Trade union members, female employees	This activity helped UEH employees access legal and policy updates accurately and comprehensively, enabling them to proactively protect their rights and fulfill their obligations. The report highlighted key updates of the 2024 Social Insurance Law and introduced UEH Union’s key legal dissemination themes for 2025, focusing on employees’ social insurance benefits.	– UEH employees gained a clearer understanding of retirement age regulations, insurance benefits, participation conditions, expanded beneficiaries, contribution and payment levels, and the rights and responsibilities of both employees and employers. – Strengthened awareness of labour rights, contributing to decent work and secure employment.
UEH Announcing and Awarding Decisions on the Establishment and Appointment of Leaders of The Party – Union Office, University Office and Department of Finance – Investment Planning	UEH Union leaders, staff and officers	The event officially announced new personnel appointments to strengthen the leadership structure of the Party – Union Office, ensuring effective coordination and smooth operation of UEH’s  union system. Prof.Dr. Nguyen Dong Phong conferring the decisions to the leaders of the Party – Union Office and taking photos with the unit	Enhanced the organizational capacity of the union, reinforcing the internal governance system for sustainable and inclusive employment management.
Research report on nutrition and health improvement	All union members	The seminar provided practical scientific knowledge on nutrition, aiming to promote healthier lifestyles and improved well-being among UEH employees. It encouraged the application of nutritional knowledge to daily life, enhancing both personal health and workplace productivity.	– Improved quality of life and working environment for all UEH employees. – Promoted physical and mental well-being, contributing to sustainable development and a healthy, inclusive workplace.

Comparison of UEH Union Indicators between 2023 and 2024

In 2024, the University of Economics Ho Chi Minh City (UEH) continued to affirm the vital role of the UEH Union as the legitimate representative body protecting the rights and interests of all employees, including women and international staff. Compared to 2023, union activities in 2024 expanded significantly in scale, participation, and financial resources. In addition, the union organized a series of leadership training programs, periodic review conferences, and workshops that strengthened collective bargaining capacity and representation. UEH Union also initiated the development of a digital management platform – a major step toward digital transformation and modernization of union operations.

Beyond traditional welfare programs, the union broadened its focus to holistic care for employees through seminars on nutrition and health improvement, vision screening for staff and their families, and workshops on stress management, gender equality, and mental well-being. These efforts collectively promote a decent, sustainable, and inclusive working environment, aligned with UEH’s multidisciplinary and sustainable development strategy. Besides, the union actively contributed to community engagement through charity activities and participation in cultural and sports movements organized by the Ho Chi Minh City Labour Federation, further enhancing UEH’s image and social responsibility.

Overall, 2024 marked a transformative year for the UEH Union, shifting from a traditional welfare-oriented model toward comprehensive and sustainable development, integrating welfare – health – well-being – digital innovation – and social responsibility. This evolution demonstrates the growing quality, sustainability, and social influence of UEH’s union in building a fair, inclusive, and productive workplace for all.

Open related links: 

1. UEH Union portal – https://congdoan.ueh.edu.vn/ 

2. UEH Commitment to Equal Labor Rights and Sustainable Development for All Officials and Employees – https://gogreen.ueh.edu.vn/en/the-impact-ranking/sdgs-item/829-employment-practice-labour-rights 

3. UEH Portal – https://ueh.edu.vn/en/ 

4. UEH Union Fanpage – https://www.facebook.com/congdoanueh 

5. December 4, 2024 – UEH’s gender-equal recruitment policy and welfare regime – https://future.ueh.edu.vn/en/uncategorized/8-2-6-chinh-sach-binh-dang-luong/ 

6. January 27, 2024 – UEH Union 2023 Review Conference and 2024 Mission Orientation – https://ueh.edu.vn/cuoc-song-ueh/tin-tuc/hoi-nghi-tong-ket-hoat-dong-cong-doan-ueh-nam-2023-trien-khai-hoat-dong-trong-tam-nam-2024-71327 

7. July 08, 2024 – Conference on Review of UEH Union Activities in the First 6 Months of 2024 and Implementation of Programs in the Last 6 Months of 2024 – https://www.ueh.edu.vn/en/news/conference-on-review-of-ueh-union-activities-in-the-first-6-months-of-2024-and-implementation-of-programs-in-the-last-6-months-of-2024-72126 

8. March 03, 2024 – Training for UEH Union Officials 2024 – https://ueh.edu.vn/en/news/training-for-ueh-union-officials-2024-71470 

9. August 07, 2024 – Celebrating the 95th anniversary of the founding of Vietnam Trade Union and honor “Our Trade Union Officers” in 2024 – https://ueh.edu.vn/cuoc-song-ueh/tin-tuc/hop-mat-ky-niem-95-nam-ngay-thanh-lap-cong-doan-viet-nam-va-tuyen-duong-nguoi-can-bo-cong-doan-cua-chung-toi-nam-2024-72218 

10. .January 11, 2025 – Conference to summarize UEH Union activities in 2024, deploy the 2025 plan program: Marks of efforts and expectations – https://ueh.edu.vn/cuoc-song-ueh/tin-tuc/hoi-nghi-tong-ket-hoat-dong-cong-doan-ueh-nam-2024-trien-khai-chuong-trinh-hoat-dong-nam-2025-dau-an-no-luc-va-ky-vong-73294 

11. April 16, 2025 – UEH Labor Union to host ‘2024 Social Insurance Law’ report – https://ueh.edu.vn/en/news/ueh-labor-union-to-host-2024-social-insurance-law-report-74177 

12. May 17, 2024 – UEH Announcing and Awarding Decisions on the Establishment and Appointment of Leaders of The Party – Union Office, University Office and Department of Finance – Investment Planning – https://ueh.edu.vn/en/news/ueh-announcing-and-awarding-decisions-on-the-establishment-and-appointment-of-leaders-of-the-party-union-office-university-office-and-department-of-finance-investment-planning-71837 

13. December 12, 2024 – Research report: “Nutrition – Improving health, improving quality of life” – Accompanying UEH for Sustainable Development Goals – https://ueh.edu.vn/cuoc-song-ueh/tin-tuc/bao-cao-chuyen-de-dinh-duong-nang-cao-suc-khoe-cai-thien-chat-luong-cuoc-song-dong-hanh-cung-ueh-vi-muc-tieu-phat-trien-ben-vung-73148