Communist Party chief Nong Duc Manh Monday praised the progress made in trade union activities over recent years, saying the party and the state would facilitate all workers to contribute to nation building.

President of the Vietnam General Confederation of Labor, Dang Ngoc Tung, stressed the need for trade unions at all levels to improve their activities, enhance the capacity of members and expand their membership, particularly in non-state and foreign-invested sectors.

The congress set reforms in trade unions’ operations, protection of the legitimate rights and interests of union members and the establishment of harmonious labor relations as the Trade Union’s tasks in the coming term (2008-2013).

It also set a target of admitting at least 1.5 million new union members by the end of 2013.

Among prominent leaders attending the congress, which ends tomorrow, were President Nguyen Minh Triet, Prime Minister Nguyen Tan Dung, National Assembly Chairman Nguyen Phu Trong, and Chairman of the Vietnam Fatherland Front Central Committee Huynh Dam.

About 1,000 delegates representing more than six million trade union members across the country participated in the congress. Guest delegates from Australia, Cambodia, China, Cuba, Denmark, Laos, Norway, Russia, Singapore, Sweden and Japan, along with representatives from international organizations, diplomatic missions and NGOs in Hanoi are also attending the congress.

Source: VNA