Trade Unions and
Wages
Unit 26
Reading comprehension
+ What is the role of trade unions?
+ Without trade unions who would be responsible for defending
the rights of workers?
+ Are workers concerned about their own self – interest or the
interest of all workers?
+ How can trade unions influence wage increases for workers?
+ What does the power of a trade union depend on?
+ What is the main weapon of trade union?
+ If there were no union funds what might happen to workers
when there is a conflict about wages or working conditions?
Reading comprehension
+ What is the role of trade unions?
They are responsible for/ play a role in
guaranteeing and promoting the interests of
workers.
+ Without trade unions who would be responsible for
defending the rights of workers?
Employers or State should do.
+ Are workers concerned about their own self – interest or
the interest of all workers?
They are concerned about their own self – interest
Reading comprehension

+ How can trade unions influence wage increases for workers?
If two or three trade unions succeed in obtaining
wage increases, other trade unions will be ver y likely
to push for increases in order to maintain the relative

7. weapon
8. round
9. hence
10. fund
11. guarantee
12. substitution
13. submission
Grammar
Review: Noun clause with
that

noun clauses as subject of a sentence:
* it + Be/ seem + Adj + Noun clause
E.g: It is splendid that you passed your exam.
It is strange that there are no lights on.
* it + Be/ seem + A + Noun + Noun clause
E.g: it is a great pity (that) they didn’t get married.
It is a wonder (that) you weren’t killed.
It is a good thing (that) you were insured.
Nouns that can be used here include: mercy, miracle, nuisance,
pity, shame, relief, wonder, a good thing,…
Grammar
Review: Noun clause with
that
that – clause after certain adjectives/ participles
S + Be + Adjective/ past participle + Noun clause
This construction can be used with:
adjectives expressing emotion: glad, pleased, relieved, sorry, …
adjectives/ participles expressing anxiety, confidence, afraid,
anxious, aware, certain, confident, conscious, convinced …


It is true that the earth revolves around the
sun

It is a pity that Linh failed her entrance
exam.

It is apparent that English is the main
language of the business community
throughout much of the world.

It is obvious that drinking and driving can be
very dangerous.
Grammar - exercises

The fact is that he didn’t pass his exam.

The question is that/ whether she is
coming to the party or not.

It is my impression that she is the most
beautiful girl in the party.

What surprised me was that he can speak
four foreign languages at the age of 8.
Translation
1. T ng Liên Đoàn LĐ VN đóng m t vai trò quan tr ng trong vi c đ xu t s s a đ i ổ ộ ọ ệ ề ấ ự ử ổ
lu t LĐ và nh ng đi u l LĐ và th c hi n lu t lao đ ng t i n i làm vi c.ậ ữ ề ệ ự ệ ậ ộ ạ ơ ệ
2. Trong th c t t i m t s công ty liên doanh v i n c ngoài VN, công nhân b bóc ự ế ạ ộ ố ớ ướ ở ị
l t và hy sinh s c lao đ ng cho l i ích c a m t nhóm nh lãnh đ o và cán b .ộ ứ ộ ợ ủ ộ ỏ ạ ộ

bi t t i nh ng công ty n c ngoài đã làm tăng m i quan tâm l n ệ ạ ữ ướ ố ớ
trong gi i quan sát qu c t v đi u ki n lao đ ng c a công nhân VN.ớ ố ế ề ề ệ ộ ủ
The recent outbreak / phenomenon of massive strikes by
Vietnamese workers, especially in the foreign enterprises
has raised concerns among international observers about
the working conditions of the Vietnamese workers.
Suggestion
M t trong các nguyên nhân ch y u d n đ n các ộ ủ ế ẫ ế
cu c đình công g n đây là l ng t i thi u không bao ộ ầ ươ ố ể
gi đ c tho mãn và gi i quy t tri t đ . ờ ượ ả ả ế ệ ể
One of the main/key reasons leading to
recent strikes is the minimum wages that has
never been met or resolved properly.
One of the main/key causes of recent strikes
… absolutely
Suggestion
L ng c a công nhân làm cho các doanh nghi p đ u t tr c ươ ủ ệ ầ ư ự
ti p n c ngoài ph i đ c đi u ch nh d a trên giá tr c a đô la ế ướ ả ượ ề ỉ ự ị ủ
M trên th tr ng và các h p đ ng th c t đã kí gi a chính ph ĩ ị ườ ợ ồ ự ế ữ ủ
VN và các công ty này.
The salary/wages of workers working for/in foreign
direct investment (FDI) companies must be adjusted
basing on the current/updated value of the US dollars
in the market and the actual contracts signed between
the Vietnamese government/Hanoi and these
companies.