Taking care of the lives of workers in the garment industry.

(Baonghean) - Recently, textile and garment businesses have gradually focused on improving the lives of their workers, creating motivation for workers to actively participate in production and remain committed to the company in the long term.

Ms. Nguyen Thi Ly, originally from Long Thanh commune (Yen Thanh district), has worked for two years at MLB TENERGY Co., Ltd. (100% Japanese-owned) in Yen Thanh town. In her first year, her income was over 3 million VND per month, and now it has increased to nearly 4 million VND per month. As a result, her life has become increasingly stable. Ms. Cao Thi Khuong, also from Minh Thanh commune (Yen Thanh district), shared: "At the factory, we receive full social insurance, health insurance, unemployment insurance, sick leave, maternity leave, and two sets of protective work clothing per year. Especially, the allowances we previously received were low, but now they have been increased." Specifically, in 2013, lunch allowance was only 12,000 VND per person, now it has been increased to 15,000 VND per person, and fuel allowance has increased from 70,000 VND per person per month to 80,000 VND per person per month. Including overtime pay, the income reaches 3.7 - 3.9 million VND per person per month. According to Ms. Minh, the factory is near her home, so she doesn't have to pay for rent, therefore this income level has greatly improved her life.

The canteen and parking garage of Prex Vinh Co., Ltd. is currently under construction.

Along with increasing workers' income, the factory installed air conditioning and ventilation systems to improve the working environment for employees. Mr. Hoang Van Ngoc, Chairman of the Trade Union of MLB TENERGY Co., Ltd., said: "In 2013, a strike occurred at the factory due to excessively low wages and inadequate living conditions for workers. We submitted a proposal to the Yen Thanh District Labor Federation and collaborated with the local government and the factory to resolve the issue. The company's trade union has developed labor regulations with clear provisions tailored to the specific characteristics of the industry; and signed a collective labor agreement with many provisions ensuring benefits for workers. To date, the factory has shown greater care and attention to its employees, ensuring that the 500 workers are committed and contribute to the sustainable development of the business."

For Prex Vinh Co., Ltd., located in the Lac Son industrial cluster (Do Luong district), after the July 2013 strike involving over 1,000 workers, the company has gradually implemented labor laws and regulations, caring for the well-being and improving working conditions for its employees. Mr. Nguyen Dang Hong, Chairman of the Do Luong District Labor Union, stated: "Previously, labor rights and benefits regarding wages, overtime pay, lunch allowances, etc., were not guaranteed. The company's management treated workers inappropriately, making them feel disrespected. In response, the district leadership, the District Labor Union, and the company worked together to resolve the issues. To date, the company has fully implemented employee bonuses; provided support and assistance to employees during illness, family events, and other occasions; and fully paid health insurance, social insurance, and unemployment insurance for its workers."

The garment industry is characterized by a working environment that generates a lot of dust and noise, directly affecting the health of workers and posing a potential fire hazard. Therefore, the company has arranged sewing lines rationally to ensure safety and convenience for workers during production, invested in ventilation and dust extraction systems to reduce the temperature in the factory and minimize dust and noise, and equipped the factory with a lighting system that provides sufficient light according to standards to avoid harming workers' eyes. Currently, Prex Vinh Co., Ltd. is building a parking garage and a communal canteen to accommodate over 4,000 workers, expected to be put into use in November 2015.

Workers at the MLB TENERGY Co., Ltd. garment factory in Yen Thanh.

Despite many efforts, compared to other industries, the living conditions, employment, and working environment of garment workers still face many difficulties. Some garment workers in various companies have proposed increasing allowances and lunch portions, as the meals are meager and insufficient in nutrition, hindering workers' health and ability to work; they also requested continued attention to improving the cultural and spiritual lives of workers…

In Nghe An province, there are currently over 150,000 workers, including over 10,000 garment and embroidery workers, mainly concentrated in garment factories in Yen Thanh, Do Luong, Dien Chau, Nam Dan districts, and the Bac Vinh industrial zone. Workers' incomes have gradually improved, with factories generally ensuring benefits for employees, such as salary increases as per regulations and full insurance coverage. Notably, factories provide allowances to workers based on revenue. Some factories have focused on improving infrastructure to provide safe and hygienic working environments for workers. However, garment workers' wages remain low compared to other professions. Many factories lack worker accommodation, forcing workers to rent temporary, damp, and poorly equipped housing. Some businesses and production facilities do not ensure adequate environmental hygiene, labor protection, working hours, rest periods, and pay very little attention to the cultural and spiritual well-being of their employees.

For sustainable development, garment factories need to regularly organize meetings and dialogues with workers to promptly understand their concerns and aspirations, address legitimate requests, and contribute to building harmonious and stable labor relations for the development of the businesses themselves and to improve the material and spiritual lives of the workers.

King Tran