Caring for the lives of garment workers

(Baonghean) - Recently, textile and garment enterprises have gradually paid attention to improving the lives of workers, creating motivation for workers to actively produce and stay with the enterprise for a long time.

Ms. Nguyen Thi Ly, from Long Thanh commune (Yen Thanh) has worked for 2 years at MLB TENERGY Co., Ltd. (100% capital of Japanese investors) in Yen Thanh town. In the first year, her income was more than 3 million VND/month, now it has increased to nearly 4 million VND/month. Therefore, life is increasingly stable. Also working at this factory, Ms. Cao Thi Khuong, from Minh Thanh (Yen Thanh) shared: At the factory, we are fully covered by social insurance, health insurance, unemployment insurance... and enjoy sick leave and maternity leave benefits, and are given 2 sets of protective clothing/year. In particular, the previously low allowances have now been increased. Specifically, in 2013, lunch was only 12,000 VND/person, now it has increased to 15,000 VND/person, the fuel allowance has increased from 70,000 VND/person/month to 80,000 VND/person/month. If the cost of additional labor shifts is included, the income is from 3.7 to 3.9 million VND/person/month. According to Ms. Minh, the factory is near her house so she does not have to pay rent, so that income contributes greatly to improving her life.

The cafeteria and garage of Prex Vinh Company Limited is under construction.

Along with increasing the income of workers, the factory installed air conditioning and ventilation systems to improve the working environment for workers. Mr. Hoang Van Ngoc, Chairman of the Trade Union of MLB TENERGY Co., Ltd. said: In 2013, there was a strike at the factory, the reason was that the salary was too low and the workers' lives were not guaranteed. We have made a proposal to the Yen Thanh District Labor Federation, and coordinated with the local authorities and the factory to resolve the issue. The Company's Trade Union has built labor regulations with clear regulations and suitable for the characteristics of the industry; signed a collective labor agreement with many contents to ensure the benefits of workers. Up to now, the factory has paid more attention and taken care of its workers, so the 500 workers of the unit feel secure to stay with the company, contributing to the sustainable development of the enterprise.

For Prex Vinh Company Limited located in Lac Son Industrial Park (Do Luong), after the incident of over 1,000 workers going on strike in July 2013, the company has gradually implemented the provisions of the labor law, cared for the lives and improved working conditions for workers. Mr. Nguyen Dang Hong, Chairman of the Do Luong District Labor Federation, said: Previously, the labor regimes and benefits regarding wages, overtime pay, lunch money, etc. were not guaranteed. The treatment of the company's leaders was not appropriate, making workers feel disrespected. Faced with that situation, the district leaders, the District Labor Federation and the company joined together to resolve the problems. Up to now, the company has fully implemented the reward regime for workers; encouraged and helped officers and employees when they were sick, had family funerals or happy events; fully paid health insurance, social insurance, and unemployment insurance for 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 potentially posing a risk of fire and explosion. Therefore, the company arranges sewing lines reasonably, ensuring safety and convenience for workers during the production process, investing in ventilation and dust extraction equipment systems to reduce the temperature in the factory and minimize dust and noise, and equipping a lighting system to ensure adequate lighting according to standards so as not to harm workers' eyes. Currently, Prex Vinh Company Limited is building a garage and a collective kitchen to serve over 4,000 workers, expected to be put into use in November 2015.

l Workers of MLB TENERGY Company Limited Garment Factory in Yen Thanh.

Despite many efforts, compared to other industries, the life, work, and working environment of garment workers are still difficult. Some garment workers of companies have proposed to increase allowances and increase lunch rations, because meals are still frugal, not nutritious enough, and workers are not healthy enough to work; continue to pay attention to improving the cultural and spiritual life of workers...

In Nghe An, there are currently over 150,000 workers, of which garment and embroidery workers are about 10,000, mainly concentrated in garment factories in Yen Thanh, Do Luong, Dien Chau, Nam Dan districts, Bac Vinh industrial park... Workers' income has gradually improved, factories basically ensure benefits for workers, such as salary increases according to regulations, workers are fully covered by insurance. In particular, factories have allowances for workers depending on revenue. Some factories focus on renovating infrastructure, providing workplaces for workers to ensure safe production, environmental sanitation... However, the salary of garment workers is still low compared to other industries. Many factories do not have accommodation for workers, so this force has to rent temporary, damp, and inadequate accommodation. Some businesses and production facilities have not ensured environmental hygiene conditions, labor protection regimes, working hours, rest time, and pay little attention to the cultural and spiritual life of workers.

For sustainable development, garment factories need to regularly organize meetings and dialogues with workers to promptly grasp their aspirations and resolve legitimate recommendations, contributing to building harmonious and stable labor relations for the development of the businesses themselves and improving the material and spiritual lives of workers.

Vuong Tran