Greeting Message to the 14th National Congress of the Vietnam General Confederation of Labour (VGCL)

Dear Comrades,

Brothers and Sisters of the Vietnam General Confederation of Labour

On behalf of the World Federation of Trade Unions (WFTU) and the millions of workers who struggle within the ranks of the international class-oriented trade union movement, I extend our warmest militant greetings and sincere congratulations to the delegates and participants of the 14th National Congress of the Vietnam General Confederation of Labour.

Your Congress is taking place at a critical moment for the peoples and workers of the world. Imperialist wars, interventions, sanctions, and blockades continue to plague humanity, while monopoly giants increasingly prioritize the war economy in pursuit of greater profits. Economic and social inequalities are deepening, millions are forced to leave their homes due to conflicts and deprivation, and international law is increasingly being replaced by the law of the strong. At the same time, precarious and informal employment is expanding, workers' rights are under attack, and hard-won social achievements are being eroded through the privatization of public services and attacks on social security systems.

In these circumstances, cooperation and joint action among all forces fighting for peace, equality, social justice, and workers' rights are more necessary than ever. The international class-oriented trade union movement has a responsibility to strengthen solidarity and coordinate its struggles in defense of the working class and the popular strata.

On behalf of the WFTU, we express our admiration and gratitude to the Vietnamese people and workers who, through difficult and relentless struggles, won their freedom and independence while inspiring and supporting the struggles of other peoples throughout the world. We also express our appreciation to the Vietnam General Confederation of Labour, a steadfast and invaluable member of our Federation, with which we have marched together for eight decades in the common struggle for workers' rights and social progress.

We also commend and salute the significant achievements of the VGCL during the past period. Despite a rapidly changing international environment and growing challenges for workers, the VGCL has further strengthened its role in representing and protecting workers' rights and interests, expanded collective bargaining coverage, enhanced legal support services, and promoted grassroots democracy. Its efforts have inspired workers' creativity and participation, generating hundreds of thousands of initiatives that have contributed to Vietnam's socio-economic development. At the same time, the VGCL has continued to grow and strengthen its organization, recruiting more than 2.2 million new members and establishing over 15,000 new grassroots trade union organizations, while advancing gender equality and improving support for women workers and working families.

As the WFTU celebrates its 80th anniversary, we proudly recall the longstanding contribution of the VGCL to our common history.

We sincerely thank the VGCL and its leadership for their valuable and multifaceted support to the WFTU and the international trade union movement. We are confident that the decisions of the 14th National Congress will further strengthen the VGCL and deepen the historic bonds of friendship, solidarity, and cooperation between our two organizations.

We wish your Congress every success and look forward to continuing our common struggle for peace, social justice, workers' rights, and international solidarity.

Pambis Kyritsis

General Secretary

World Federation of Trade Unions (WFTU)