Mobilization and development of mankind is always connected with the process and standard of production force. So far, mankind has experienced the agricultural economy, industrial economy and is shifting to post-industrial economy (i.e. knowledge-based economy). In the course of development, groups of producers came into being, supplying products to the need of the community, then increased in size and productivity becoming factories, enterprises and economic groups. At the same time, the exchange of products developed into trading in the markets with traders and the development of large trading groups. Entrepreneurs engaged more closely with the development of businesses. As for Vietnamese entrepreneurs, a historian has commented: “Entrepreneurs can be regarded as celebrities.” In fact, they are working day and night for the common value and stable development of the nation.
President Ho Chi Minh said: “Public mobilization means mobilizing the strength of all the people to do a fine job.” To develop the role and responsibility of entrepreneurs, beside policy, mechanism, environment, production and competitiveness, etc., we must pay adequate attention to the mobilization of entrepreneurs and entrepreneurs engaging in public mobilization in the new era. To this end, the following tasks should be implemented adequately and effectively:
Mobilization of entrepreneurs
1. Vietnam business community came into being much later than most of the countries in the region and the world. In 1929, there were only 29 companies in Indochina with capital over 1 million Dong, and a single company owned by Vietnamese. In 1992, with renovation policy and encouragement, 4,086 businesses were established and the number has increased now to over 500,000. As a result, with encouragement of the society and devotion of entrepreneurs, the Vietnam business community has become a sizeable force and played an important role in the industrialization and modernization of Vietnam.
2. The Party and State have issued policies and laws encouraging the establishment and expansion of business activities, improving and simplifying administrative formalities, implementing “one-stop shop”, “inter-related shop” and several policies highly appreciated by business community such as support in capital and interest rates; tax reduction, exemption and postponement; application of e-taxation; and development of business culture and business dialogue to remove constraints.
3. Officials, especially those directly related to business activities, must provide business forecasts, understand and remove constraints of entrepreneurs and workers, and issue policy and mechanism to promote business development. They must also review and rescind inappropriate documents impeding the development of businesses, sponsor workshops to improve business management and application of science and technology, upgrade professionalism and negotiation skill so as to expand and increase business activities.
4. Related institutions must give guidance and encouragement to ensure compliance by businesses of rights and obligations towards the State and workers such as policies on taxes, funds, wage, bonus, social and health insurances, and labour safety. They must prevent businesses from making and trading faked and poor quality products, and encourage the fight against corruption and violations harmful to business activities.
5. Entrepreneurs must be upgraded in professional skill, management, and awareness of workers’ role and position. They should organize labour unions and upgrade its activities and those of other mass organizations and eventually the establishment of Party organization. They should also support mass organizations in funding and time for activities inside and outside enterprises.
Presently, several Vietnamese entrepreneurs are not aware of the role of the Party, labour union and mass organizations, and not in favour of the establishment and activities of those organizations in their enterprises. This failure is due to, among others, the responsibility of organizations in the political system for proper mobilization of employers.
6. The mobilization of entrepreneurs requires better understanding of the role and position of entrepreneurs in new era so as to heighten responsibility and together with them remove difficulties facing employers and employees. For their part, entrepreneurs must also participate in socio-political organizations and local associations to develop solidarity, assistance and mutual understanding in business community.
Encouraging entrepreneurs in public mobilization
In recent years, Vietnamese entrepreneurs have participated in public mobilization in the following areas:
1. In spite of difficulties and challenges in business activities, Vietnamese entrepreneurs have participated in such programmes as poverty reduction, assistance to poor villages and districts, building new rural areas, relief work to victims of natural disasters and illness, developing cultural projects and infrastructure, funds promoting education and building shelters for the poor, with a total value of some VND1,000 billion. Their donations have been highly appreciated by the population.
2. Many entrepreneurs share the difficulties and aspirations of the workers, giving them decent jobs, encouraging them in time, organizing field trips, tourist tours, cultural performances and healthcare thereby increasing solidarity and understanding in business community.
3. Many employers arrange appropriate jobs for invalids, poor people and even former convicts, generating jobs and income, bringing harmony and happiness to social life.
4. Many businesses help workers understand labour regulations, wage, bonus, and policies regarding them; train and upgrade their skills, professionalism and business management; promote young managers to important positions; and continue timely dialogue and encouragement.
5. Entrepreneurs also cooperate actively with local authorities in the maintenance of public security and prevention of fire and accidents, coordinate with labour union in emulation drives and settlement of complaints and disputes among workers.
6. Many entrepreneurs have recommended the Party, State and concerned authorities to improve regulations regarding businesses and workers to ensure harmonious development in the interests of the State, businesses and workers.
However, as many enterprises failed to establish labour unions, sign collective labour contracts, health and social insurances and consequently many workers are in difficulties and staging work stoppages. Meanwhile, employers in seeking high profit have violated law and engaged in corruption causing serious losses to the State and workers. For employees, due to the fear of being sacked, dare not participate in socio-political organizations, thus hampering public mobilization in enterprises.
To ensure the mobilization of entrepreneurs and entrepreneurs participating in public mobilization, there must be enhancement of Party leadership, State management and participation of socio-political organizations and business associations, in particular, the implementation of Resolution 09-NQ/TW of December 9, 2011 of the Politburo on developing the role of Vietnamese business community in the industrialization, modernization and international integration.
The authorities at all levels must issue policy, mechanism and plan of action to ensure effective implementation of the Resolution, assign capable officials to help businesses remove difficulties and promote business activities.
There must be also continued guidance and review of the process of public mobilization, encourage and honour in time entrepreneurs and businesses of distinguished achievements in business activities and implementation of Party and State policy, making important contributions to national development.
Vo Dinh Lien
Head, Department of Public Mobilisation of State Institutions, Central Commission of Public Mobilization
Vietnamese
