During the Second Sino-Japanese War (1937–1945), the GDFTU operated covertly in regions like the Dongjiang River Basin, coordinating sabotage of Japanese supply lines and aiding the CCP's East River Column guerrillas.
[2] Post-1949, it became instrumental in economic recovery and socialist construction, fostering labor models and advancing workers' welfare.
During China's reform era, the federation prioritized labor rights mediation, vocational training, and social welfare programs, including the "Four Seasons Assistance" campaign to support low-income families and initiatives to protect gig economy workers.
It launched platforms like the Guangdong Employee Education Network to provide skill development courses for over 100 occupations, partnering with institutions such as the Open University of China.
[5] The federation also promotes international labor exchanges, notably with Japanese and British unions, and participates in projects like the Belt and Road Initiative.