Do Thi Mo, a trade union member of Tan Dong primary school in Tran Yen, suffers systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE). Her daughter carries the same disease, and her husband’s job is unstable, therefore, her family mostly depends on her salary for a living. Difficult economic situation makes their wish for a stable house infeasible.

In 2019, after reviewing the list of poor trade union members in need of housing, the Tran Yen Labour Federation proposed the provincial Labour Federation provide Mo with 30 million VND from the Trade Union Social Fund to build her own house. Combining with Mo’s saving and with the support of relatives, Mo managed to build a 70sq.m house.

Meanwhile, Vu Thi Mai Huong, a worker of environmental sanitation worker from Phu Lan village, Viet Thanh commune, is a single mom who has a 10-year-old daughter. With a monthly wage of 2 million VND (about 87 USD), Huong was struggling.

In 2020, Huong got a loan from the fund, from which she started developing her economic situation. 

"With the 20-million-VND loan from the fund and assistance from relatives, I bought cinnamon trees to plant in a one-hectare hill farm. I hope that the farm will help my family overcome difficulties, so that I can afford my daughter’s studying,” said Huong.

Since 2019, the Trade Union Social Fund has mobilised the contributions from local workers and public servants to give housing support to two trade union members with 30 million VND each, and offer assistance to more than 1,000 sick members and gifts to 200 others on the traditional New Year and on the occasion of workers’ month. The fund also provided 20 million VND to 25 trade union members meeting unexpected incidents to ease their difficulties.