Viet Glory Company Limited: Enterprises and employees have yet to find a common voice

Since 6:30 this morning, nearly 5,000 workers of Viet Glory Company Limited havegather at the gateand routes around the company but not entering the gate. Because the workers could not send a representative, this morning's dialogue switched to a direct dialogue with the workers. However, because the number of workers was large, the gathering area was wide while the speaker volume was low, the above sharing and statements could not reach all the workers.

Workers gathered in front of the gate of Viet Glory Company Limited on the morning of February 10. Photo: DT

In a speech this morning, the company's leadership representative reiterated the company's stance in resolving 11 petitions from workers and expressed the wish that workers send people to have direct dialogue instead of gathering in large numbers in front of the gate. Specifically, the company's leadership representative said: "The recent epidemic has severely affected the company's business situation and the company has made great efforts to meet the wishes of workers regarding welfare regimes such as gas money, food money, etc. However, the company has just entered its second year of operation, the management team as well as the union organization are still young and inexperienced, hoping to receive sharing and companionship with the company to overcome this time."

Leaders of Dien Chau District Labor Federation speak to workers. Photo: DT

Regarding the two main recommendations of the workers, which are salary increase and seniority allowance increase, the company representative also said that the company has currently made efforts to meet the basic salary level higher than the regional minimum wage of 600,000 VND and has not been able to increase it further. Regarding seniority allowance, the company has noted the opinions of the workers and will make a recommendation to the head office for research and discussion to provide the earliest response.

In response to the sharing of business leaders and unions, workers affirmed that when their requests for a basic salary increase and additional seniority allowance were not resolved, they did not return to work. Unable to agree on a solution, by 9am, the workers had dispersed and left.

Workers said they would stop working until basic wages and seniority allowances were increased. Photo: DT

Mr. Pham Duc Cuong - Chairman of the Dien Chau District Labor Federation affirmed: "The workers' petition is completely legitimate, however, it is necessary to consider the actual situation and legal regulations to have a reasonable solution, harmonizing the interests of both sides". Mr. Cuong also said that the work stoppage has lasted for 4 days, causing damage to both sides, and the gathering of large numbers of people in the current context will pose many potential risks of a Covid-19 outbreak. In the coming time, the trade union will continue to promote workers to share, accompany businesses and negotiate with the leaders of Viet Glory Company Limited to build policies and regimes suitable to the general level in the whole district.

Maintaining the company's leadership position, Mr. Zhang Shih Yueh - Deputy Director of Viet Glory Company Limited said: "We have implemented policies for employees in accordance with Vietnamese law. If employees do not return to work, the company will also comply with Vietnamese law."

Company leadership representative speaks to employees. Photo: DT

According to Point e, Clause 1, Article 36, Labor Code 2019, if an employee voluntarily quits his job without a valid reason for 5 consecutive working days or more, the employer has the right to unilaterally terminate the labor contract.