Toward Harmonious Labor Relations in Vietnam's Coal Industry: An Integrated Qualitative and Sem-Based Study

Labor relations (LR) constitute a crucial pillar in ensuring the stability and sustainable development of enterprises, particularly in heavy industries such as the coal sector-where harsh working conditions, physically demanding manual labor, and constant occupational safety risks prevail.In this context, LR within Vietnam's coal enterprises not only reflect the relationship between employees and employers but also serve as an indicator of the extent to which interests are harmonized and corporate culture is developed.In practice, numerous coal enterprises in Vietnam are facing persistent challenges in collective bargaining processes, information exchange mechanisms, and working conditions.A lack of transparency, formalistic workplace dialogues, and mounting pressures related to productivity and occupational safety have emerged as significant barriers to fostering a stable and progressive working environment.Furthermore, comprehensive empirical research on labor relations in the coal industry remains limited and insufficient to meet the demands of policy-making and the specific human resource management needs of the sector.In response to these challenges, this paper aims to assess the current status of labor relations in coal enterprises, identify key factors affecting LR quality, and propose solutions to promote harmonious, stable, and progressive labor relations.The study focuses on workers, employers, and trade union representatives from enterprises under the Vietnam National Coal and Mineral Industries Group (VINACOMIN), including affiliated units such as coal processing, screening, and transportation companies operating in Quang Ninh, Thai Nguyen, and other provinces.This study contributes to the labor relations literature by offering an empirical validation of a multi-dimensional model within Vietnam's heavy industry context, supported by both qualitative insights and SEM-based quantitative findings.A mixed-methods research approach was employed, combining both qualitative and quantitative techniques, including document analysis, expert interviews, questionnaire surveys, and statistical data processing using SPSS and AMOS software.The findings contribute not only to providing empirical evidence on the current labor relations landscape in the coal industry but also to offering theoretically grounded and practically feasible policy recommendations.These are particularly relevant in the context of digital transformation and deep international integration.