Unstable life of workers

(Baonghean) - Among more than 13,000 workers working in industrial parks in the Southeast Economic Zone, there are currently about 5,000 people lacking housing; 1,120 children under 36 months old are workers' children who have to be sent back to their hometowns for their grandparents to take care of; nearly 800 children under 36 months old are in need of preschool but have no nursery to send them to.

Lack of material and spiritual

Ms. Phan Thi Huyen - a worker at Matrix Company, from Yen Thanh, said: "My average income, including overtime, is 3.7 million VND/month. After deducting the rent of 400,000 VND/month, I have to spend sparingly to be able to save money to send back home to raise my children. Most of the time, we come home from work almost at night, so we just go across the street to buy some meat or eggs, tofu, and some vegetables to eat for dinner."

The menu is poor, repetitive and only meets the needs of starch, not ensuring necessary nutrients, significantly affecting the health of workers.

Leaders of the Southeast Economic Zone Trade Union presented gifts to female workers in difficult circumstances.

Bac Vinh Industrial Park and Nam Cam Industrial Park have over 5,000 workers in need of housing. They are currently renting temporary rooms in cramped residential areas, roofed with corrugated iron or asbestos cement, which makes them very hot in the summer, humid in the winter, and does not ensure environmental hygiene and fire safety.

According to survey data, in Bac Vinh and Nam Cam Industrial Parks, there are 1,120 children under 36 months old who have to be sent back to their hometowns for their grandparents to take care of; 751 children under 36 months old are living with their mothers, needing to go to preschool but there is no nursery to send them to. Temporary living, having children without a place to send them, and low income make many workers lose their attachment to their jobs, and many even quit their jobs.

A dormitory for workers near Bac Vinh industrial park.

According to a survey by the Provincial Department of Population and Family Planning, Bac Vinh and Nam Cam Industrial Parks alone have over 13,000 workers, of which 93.5% are of childbearing age, the proportion of those who do not have children accounts for 70.3%; 69% of workers believe that there is a phenomenon of "trial living". Ms. Dinh Thi Binh - the owner of the boarding house at 394 Dang Thai Mai Street (Vinh City) said: "Workers lack affection, so there are many cases where people from the countryside come to stay for a week and fall in love and "trial living".

In addition, workers have very little knowledge about reproductive health, how to prevent sexually transmitted diseases, contraceptive methods... leading to unwanted pregnancies, infections, directly affecting motherhood, health, spirit and many other consequences for themselves...

Need for synchronous policy

In order to improve the material and spiritual life of workers, the Dong Nam Economic Zone Trade Union has implemented many practical activities such as: Guiding grassroots trade unions to negotiate and sign collective labor agreements; regularly coordinating with competent agencies to monitor, inspect and supervise the implementation of the Labor Law. Up to now, the rate of workers with labor contracts has reached 100%; 70% of enterprises have established collective labor agreements.

Mr. Nguyen Danh Chuyen, Chairman of the Trade Union of Minh Anh - Kim Lien Garment Joint Stock Company, said: “The trade union coordinates well with the business owner to organize emulation movements, regularly discuss the implementation of policies such as improving shift meals, wages, labor norms, and increasing allowances for workers. We have negotiated with the employer to increase the diligence allowance for workers from 200,000 VND/person/month to 400,000 VND/person/month; increase the shift meal allowance from 12,000 VND/meal to 15,000 VND/meal”. From 2012 to present, 735 workers in difficult circumstances have been visited and given gifts by the Provincial Labor Federation, the Trade Union of Dong Nam Economic Zone, and the trade union; supported 3 workers to build 3 “Union Shelters”.

“Charming Southeast Economic Zone 2015” contest - A solution to improve the cultural and spiritual life of workers. Photo: MN

Over the years, the Dong Nam Economic Zone Trade Union has coordinated to organize the programs “Happy Tet with workers”; “Workers’ Month Melody 2015”; “Youth Workers’ Festival 2015”. Sports exchange programs, cultural exchange programs, lucky draws have created “spiritual meals” after tiring working hours and attracted thousands of workers to participate.

To improve the lives of workers, it is necessary to have the synchronous attention of socio-political organizations and employers. First of all, it is necessary to reform the minimum wage policy for workers; correctly assess the current situation to adjust it to suit the needs of life.

In addition, local authorities and employers need to invest in infrastructure, build housing for workers, build sports and cultural exchange venues, schools, kindergartens for workers' children and invest funds for reproductive health care for industrial park workers...

Minh Nguyet

(Southeast Economic Zone Trade Union)