Ensure land allocation for the construction of housing for workers.

Land is readily available in the planning area.

The Southeast Economic Zone (SEZ) spans the districts of Nghi Loc, Dien Chau, Hung Nguyen, the towns of Hoang Mai and Cua Lo, and the city of Vinh. In addition to the SEZ, there are currently 6 industrial parks with a total area of ​​1,660 hectares, including: Bac Vinh (60ha), Nghia Dan (200ha), Tri Le (200ha), Song Dinh (300ha), Tan Ky (600ha), and Phu Quy (300ha), located in the districts of Nghia Dan, Quy Hop, Tan Ky, Anh Son, the town of Thai Hoa, and the city of Vinh.

Mr. Dinh Minh Son, Deputy Head of the Construction Planning Department of the Southeast Economic Zone, stated: The allocation or orientation of land for the construction of social housing for workers and trade union facilities is always prioritized.Southeast Economic Zone Management BoardPay attention to implementation.

A view of the Nam Cam Industrial Park in Nghi Loc district. Photo: Archival material.

Currently, at VSIP Nghe An Industrial Park, land has been allocated for the construction of worker housing within the urban planning area of ​​the industrial park project. At Nam Cam and Tho Loc Industrial Parks, land for worker housing is allocated in urban functional areas near these industrial parks. Similarly, at Hoang Mai I Industrial Park, the planning has been adjusted to allocate approximately 30 hectares in the north for the construction of worker dormitories. At Hoang Mai II and Dong Hoi Industrial Parks, land has been allocated for worker housing in the new residential planning areas of Hoang Mai town.

Furthermore, in the Bac Vinh Industrial Park, the Vietnam General Confederation of Labor is currently developing a trade union facility in Nghi Kim commune, Vinh city. The Nghia Dan Industrial Park has been planned to allocate approximately 80 hectares in the western area of ​​the approved detailed industrial park construction plan for the construction of housing and facilities for workers. Similarly, the Tan Ky Industrial Park has been planned to allocate approximately 22.2 hectares in the northeastern area of ​​the approved detailed industrial park construction plan for the construction of worker housing…

Provincial leaders inspect the progress of a project at VSIP Nghe An Industrial Park. Photo: Thanh Duy's archives.

“In the coming period, the Southeast Economic Zone Management Board will organize the preparation of detailed planning projects for the construction of functional areas within the Southeast Economic Zone according to the overall planning approved by the Prime Minister in Decision No. 93/QD-TTg dated February 15, 2023. This will include continuing to review the land fund for the construction of worker housing areas to ensure the needs of industrial park development are met,” Mr. Son added.

The implementation of the plan needs to be closely monitored.

Currently, in the Southeast Economic Zone and industrial parks of Nghe An province, there are 5 social housing projects for workers that have selected investors (accommodating approximately 22,780 workers). Of these, 3 projects are undergoing investment procedures, 1 project is under construction, and 1 project has not yet started investment due to difficulties in securing funding.

Currently, 138 businesses are operating in industrial parks and economic zones, contributing to the creation of jobs for approximately 30,000 workers, with an average income of 7.299 million VND per person per month. While this income level might seem high compared to the provincial average, in reality, except for a few employees at Luxshare-ICT Nghe An Co., Ltd. in VSIP Nghe An Industrial Park and some small businesses who are provided with collective housing, many workers in these industrial parks lack housing and have to rent cramped, damp rooms, driving up living costs and negatively impacting their lives.

Furthermore, the lack of housing and cultural and social facilities such as community centers, nurseries, and kindergartens for workers is also one of the reasons why many laborers are not enthusiastic about working in Nghe An.

Chairman of the Provincial People's Committee Nguyen Duc Trung inspects the planning in Nghi Loc district. Photo: Pham Bang.

Mr. Nguyen Chi Cong, Vice Chairman of the Nghe An Provincial Labor Union, believes that allocating land for the construction of workers' housing and cultural facilities is absolutely necessary and in accordance with legal regulations. Therefore, state management agencies need to closely monitor the implementation of the proposed plans, ensuring that each industrial park allocates land specifically for the construction of housing and cultural and spiritual facilities for workers.

It is necessary to clearly define the requirements for businesses investing in industrial parks, ensuring that construction takes into account the provision of housing for workers and related social facilities. Localities with industrial parks also need to develop specific plans. If industrial parks do not yet have plans for worker housing, the locality can proactively create plans and build worker accommodation areas near the industrial parks; allocating suitable land within the area for the construction of worker housing and cultural facilities to ensure the synchronization of technical and social infrastructure to serve workers and employees working in those industrial parks.