At the hand-over ceremony of a “Trade Union house” for a disadvantaged worker in Dak Lak.

After her husband died, Nguyen Thi Loan of Ea Rok commune became the sole support of her young children and her mother-in-law. 

Loan says that, thanks to the "Trade Union houses" program, her family now has a house to live in. 

“I feel lucky to have had the support of the Labor Federation during a time of great financial difficulty. My children and I now have a happy home,” said Loan.

A disadvantaged worker receives financial aid worth 2,200 USD to build a house.

Last year H Ni Wong B’Krong, a member of Cu Hue commune’s trade union in Ea Kar district, moved into a new house built with support from the provincial Labor Federation.

The 70-square-meter house cost 7,900 USD, one third of which was financed by the Dak Lak Labor Federation and the Military Command of Ea Kar district. The remainder was covered by H'Ni Wong.

H'Ni Wong said this is the first time in more than a decade that her family has had their own house.

“Due to an unstable income, my family couldn’t build a house and had to live with parents and younger brothers and sisters for nearly a decade. Now I have my own house. I’d like to thank the authorities at all levels for helping us stabilize our life and feel more secure,” said H'Ni Wong. 

The Dak Lak Labor Federation says last year 120 houses were built or repaired for disadvantaged union members, using 197,000 USD from the "Trade Union houses" fund.

Nguyen Cong Bao, Chairman of the provincial Labor Federation, said the union needs more support from society and private benefactors.

He told VOV, “Last year Labor Federations at all levels did a good job of getting employees to contribute to the “Trade Union houses” fund. Each union member pays 22 cents a month, and 90% of the funds are distributed to district and grassroots trade unions. The remainder is kept by the provincial Labor Federation. We’ve also raised money from private benefactors.”