Party leader congratulates trade union

Vice President and Party Politburo member Mr Bounnhang Vorachit on Friday joined the 52 nd founding anniversary celebrations of the Lao Federation of Trade Union (LFTU) with hundred of officials from various government bodies.

Vice President and Party Politburo member Mr Bounnhang Vorachit ( right ) pins a first class Issara Order to the Union flag.

Mr Bounnhang, who is also Standing Secretary of the Party Central Committee Secretariat, expressed his pleasure at attending this meaningful event on behalf of the Party and the government.

He conveyed his “strong sense of love” and warm greetings from the Party and the government to union officials, members and Lao workers throughout the country, who are implementing the resolution of the 8 th Party Congress and the government's socio-economic development plan, as well as the resolution of the 5 th Union Congress.

In the revolutionary tasks of national defence and construction, the Party has always considered mass organisations as strategic tools, including the LFTU, the Lao People's Revolutionary Youth Union and the Lao Women's Union .

The Party and government have realised that over its 52-year duration, the union has actively implemented its roles and duties formulated by the Party with a strong sense of responsibility, said Mr Bounnhang.

He pointed out that one of the main duties of the union was imbuing workers with a sense of loyalty to the Party and the nation, and strengthening their unity and patriotism, as well as encouraging a strong sense of proletarian internationalism.

The Lao proletariat have sacrificed their lives and used their energy in contributing to the tremendous victories of the Party, army and people as a whole during the long fight to liberate the nation, as well as during the process of national defence and development, Mr Bounnhang said.

The task of the union in the new era is to campaign to educate the proletariat to be good citizens and to protect the rights and benefits of their fellow citizens.

Since its establishment, the union has improved in line with the Party's ideology, and its activities have been in line with the Party's guidelines.

“On behalf of the Party Politburo, may I wholeheartedly congratulate the union's and proletariat's achievements throughout the past 52 years,” Mr Bounnhang said.

During the ceremony, the President of the union, Mr Vongphet Xaykeuyachongtoua, reviewed its background, and its activities when foreign imperialists invaded Laos, particularly in the 19 th century when Lao workers suffered severely, working 14-15 hours at a time for the foreign occupiers.

Mr Vongphet outlined the growth process of the union in each area and its contribution to national defence and development.

The approval of the Union Law by the National Assembly in December last year has facilitated the union's role in representing workers' rights and benefits in playing their part in national defence and development.

To mark and congratulate the achievements of the union, Mr Bounnhang presented it with a first class Issara Order.

By Souksakhone Vaenkeo
(Latest Update February 04, 2008)