The Prime Minister's special chair when he dialogues with workers.
"I feel safe," the Prime Minister said cheerfully as he sat in the same chair where the workers sit for eight hours a day, engaging in dialogue with them.
A day after his dialogue with the business community, this morning, Prime Minister Nguyen Xuan Phuc visited Dong Nai to meet with approximately 3,000 workers from eight southern provinces and cities (Dong Nai, Ho Chi Minh City, Binh Duong, Ba Ria - Vung Tau, Binh Phuoc, Tay Ninh, Long An, and Tien Giang).
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| Prime Minister Nguyen Xuan Phuc, sitting in the same chair that workers sit in every day, began his dialogue with them. |
A lively conversation erupted from the chair prepared for the Prime Minister on the stage.
After a brief opening, Prime Minister Nguyen Xuan Phuc comfortably sat down in the chair that each worker sits in for eight hours a day to begin the dialogue.
When the host asked the Prime Minister about his feelings, he smiled and said, "I feel very safe."
Salary increase
The workers frankly raised their concerns and posed a series of questions to the Prime Minister.
Ms. Trinh Thi Mai Thanh (from an industrial zone in Long An) said that with the current income level, it is difficult for workers to save up to buy a house. Sending children to daycare or kindergarten is also a challenge.
"What solutions does the government have to help us?" Ms. Thanh asked the Prime Minister.
Acknowledging the shortcomings in housing and childcare for workers' children within industrial zones, despite government regulations, the Prime Minister noted the feedback and will direct efforts to resolve the issues, ensuring that workers in industrial zones have housing and their children have access to childcare.
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The Prime Minister affirmed that the Government has issued land incentives and low-interest loans for industrial zones. Therefore, provinces and cities nationwide, in addition to state support, need to implement social mobilization to ensure workers have housing and their children have access to kindergartens. |
"Don't let workers work overtime while their children miss out on education," the Prime Minister emphasized.
Regarding the issue of wages, the Prime Minister said that when he came here and asked the workers, he learned that some people earn as little as 5 million VND, while the highest earns 10 million VND.
"I see that the living standards of our workers are still difficult. The State Wage Council and relevant agencies need to discuss with the trade unions and raise wages by 12% this year. This wage increase will help workers have a better life than last year," the Prime Minister emphasized.
Nguyen Van Thai, a worker in Dong Nai province, recounted that he comes from Ha Tinh province, where life was difficult and he had to struggle to earn money to support his parents and younger siblings. However, working in the industrial zone also presented him with difficulties and anxieties.
“One day I came home from work to find the door to my room wide open, and nothing was left. Even the motorbike I'd worked hard to buy for years was gone. Because of that, I lost all my spirit, collapsed, and couldn't stand on my own two feet anymore,” Mr. Thai said.
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Before the dialogue with the workers, Prime Minister Nguyen Xuan Phuc spent time chatting with and greeting some workers and trade union officials. Photo: Hung Anh |
After hearing about the workers' situation, the Prime Minister urged trade unions and labor federations to take measures to support workers like Mr. Thai.
"Local authorities need to strengthen security and order management to protect workers," he told the provincial leaders present.
Concern for mental well-being
A special spiritual gift from the Prime Minister.
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My Linh, a worker in Trang Bang, Tay Ninh, shared with the Prime Minister her desire to have opportunities to improve her skills in order to increase her income.
"However, businesses haven't focused on skills training, and workers also lack the time," the female worker said.
Prime Minister Nguyen Xuan Phuc supports the necessity of improving skills. In a struggling province like Tay Ninh, the trade union needs to have a policy of improving the skills and qualifications of its workers.
"The employers' ability to do that lays the groundwork for strong, long-term development. A coordinated effort between the government, employers, trade unions, and workers is essential to achieve this," he said.
Mr. Nguyen Tat Khang (My Tho, Tien Giang) shared that young workers far from home have a great need for entertainment and cultural activities after work.
"What direction does the Prime Minister have in addressing this issue?" the workers asked.
Prime Minister Nguyen Xuan Phuc said that the government recently launched a plan to implement this nationwide. Many provinces and cities have established cultural facilities to serve workers.
"But this is indeed a weak point that we haven't done well in the past," the Prime Minister said, and urged provincial and city leaders to pay attention to it.
Mr. Ho Quang Trung (from Chansing Thanh Phu company, Vinh Cuu district) would like to ask the Prime Minister for advice, like that of a father or uncle, regarding the work and life of a factory worker.
The Prime Minister shared simply: “Our ancestors said, ‘With perseverance, even iron can be sharpened into a needle.’ What’s important is diligence, hard work, and creativity in labor. If we have a good profession and do our job well, it’s a powerful weapon for us to succeed in life,” he said, and expressed his hope that workers would constantly learn, and continue learning throughout their lives to improve their skills.
According to Vietnamnet.vn
