Study Promotion Funds for Employees and Their Children

Workers at Youngone Hung Yen, an apparel factory in Hung Yen, Vietnam, identified education as a shared priority for their families and their own development. As the new school year approached, many employees raised concerns about the cost of school supplies, uniforms, and fees for their children. At the same time, workers without children expressed interest in using Community Development Funds to build their own skills through language and professional training. These conversations reflected a common goal across the workforce. Supporting education at different life stages was seen as a practical way to strengthen household stability and long-term opportunity. Through the Premium Management Team, workers discussed these needs and agreed on a project that could respond to both interests. The committee decided to allocate Community Development Funds to provide financial assistance for employees’ children at the start of the school year, while also making room for workers to pursue training to improve their skills. The focus was on reducing immediate financial pressure on all type of families: encouraging consistent school attendance, alongside supporting adult learning and professional growth. A total of $76,500 USD in Community Development Funds was approved for this purpose The project was completed on August 29, 2025, in time for the new academic year. Educational support reached the children of 2,100 employees from Youngone Hung Yen, as well as the children of 20 staff members from the factory’s canteen contractor. By covering part of the costs associated with the new school year, the project helped families manage expenses more effectively and created more stable conditions for children to attend school. In parallel, employees who did not have children were able to direct support toward training opportunities that build language and professional skills. Together, these outcomes show how well-thought worker-led democratic decisions can address different needs within the same community.