Strike at EM-Tech Vietnam Co., Ltd.: What are the workers' petitions?

Diep Thanh• February 15, 2022 20:32

(Baonghean.vn) - After lunch break on February 15, more than 1,700 workers of EM-Tech Vietnam Co., Ltd. (Hung Thinh, Vinh City) did not enter the factory but gathered in the company yard. The reason for the collective work stoppage was related to a number of petitions regarding policies and wages.

Immediately after the incident, leaders of the Vinh City Labor Federation and Vinh Tan Ward People's Committee were present to grasp the situation. Under the guidance of grassroots union officials, workers wrote petitions to send to the company's leaders. Representatives of Vinh Tan Ward People's Committee also warned workers about the risk of an outbreak from illegal gatherings and asked workers to line up and ensure a safe distance.

More than 1,700 workers of EM-Tech Company Ltd. stopped working after lunch break on February 15. Photo: DT

After stabilizing the organization for workers, Mr. Thai Le Cuong - Chairman of Vinh City Labor Federation, Mr. Nguyen Hoang Manh - Chairman of Vinh Tan Ward People's Committee, and officials of related parties directly worked with company leaders and representatives of workers to resolve the problem.

At the meeting, workers expressed concern about the risk of Covid-19 infection when the number of F0s in the company is increasing while F1s still have to go to work; seniority allowances and ranks increase unevenly, deductions for attendance on days off from work by the company, meal allowances are not guaranteed, many workers do not receive Covid-19 support money, and the unclear role of grassroots union officials.

These issues were directly addressed by the company's management and relevant authorities.

The specific content is updated by Nghe An Newspaper in the following table:

STT	Recommendations	Reply
1	Why do F1s, who live near F0s, still have to go to work and not be allowed to take time off? Why aren't regular tests organized for workers?	The company sympathizes with the concerns of its employees. However, the company has complied with the regulations on epidemic prevention according toResolution 128/NQ-CPOctober 11, 2021. The company will specifically disseminate the content of this Resolution so that workers can clearly understand it. Currently, the company has connected to urgently vaccinate workers with the third dose of vaccine.
2	The current 14,000 VND/person meal quality does not ensure nutrition, many workers have to bring food from home.	The company understands that the health of its employees is the asset of the business and has quickly recognized the problem with the quality of shift meals. In fact, the company director has worked with the canteen director and decided to improve this problem. According to the plan, tomorrow, the company will have a special meal for employees and officially change from March 1, 2022.
3	In 2021, many workers did not receive Covid-19 support money from the union despite submitting a list.	The company's union compiled the list and sent it to the grassroots union (Vinh City Labor Federation). However, based on the support conditions, only 2 workers were eligible for support. The company's union gave the money to the workers.
4	The company’s union has not yet played its role in understanding the workers’ thoughts and aspirations. Workers do not know who can listen to and answer their questions, so they have to strike.	The company's union executive committee frequently changes personnel, is currently restructuring the organization and has not found someone who can grasp the opinions of the workers. The role of union president is temporarily assigned to the head of the human resources department. However, the company will soon build an organizational chart of the union executive committee and disseminate it to the workers. The company currently has suggestion boxes so that employees can proactively express their thoughts and wishes. Company leaders will promptly resolve issues raised in the mailboxes.
5	Increase in rank/seniority allowances must be uniform and reasonable.	The company's leadership acknowledges and considers these recommendations, but before making a decision, it is necessary to calculate, consider specifically and discuss with the parent company. The company's leadership will have an answer after 3 days (on Friday, February 18, 2022). Currently, the basic salary of workers is 3,900,000 VND/month, in accordance with State regulations.
6	Consider how diligence is calculated.
7.	Consider increasing workers' wages if possible.

Responding to the employees, the representative of EM-Tech Company Limited - Mr. Kim Young Hyon shared: The company always hopes to belisten to thoughts, more thinking of the workers and also hope that the workers understand the company's difficulties when the business and production situation is seriously affected by the Covid-19 epidemic. The company will do its best to make a decision that balances the interests of the business and the workers.

Vinh City Labor Federation listens to workers' opinions. Photo: DT

It is known that this morning (February 15), according to the previous schedule, Vinh Tan Ward People's Committee inspected the epidemic prevention work at this company.

Mr. Nguyen Hoang Manh - Chairman of Vinh Tan Ward People's Committee said: "Currently, the company has more than 100 F0 cases, the epidemic prevention work is carried out by the company in accordance with new regulations. We will continue to check and monitor this content in the coming time. The gathering of workers in large numbers in the current situation has many potential risks of outbreaks. To ensureensure people's safety and stabilize the situation,Authorities must handle any individuals or groups that intentionally violate regulations on epidemic prevention work.

Mr. Thai Le Cuong - Chairman of Vinh City Labor Federation chaired the meeting between company leaders, workers' representatives and authorities. Photo: DT

Directly talking to workers and chairing a meeting with company leaders, Mr. Thai Le Cuong said that the leaders of EM-Tech Vietnam Co., Ltd. need to coordinate with the trade union and local authorities to ensure legitimate and legal rights for workers, especially regarding the quality of shift meals. The company's trade union needs to grasp the workers' thoughts, promptly propagate, update, and respond to new information and policies for workers, avoiding unnecessary misunderstandings. In addition, workers also need to share and understand with the business, return to work soon, and only when the business operates well will the income and jobs of workers be guaranteed.

After the company's leader's response, the workers dispersed. After the incident, the workers were asked to test themselves for Covid-19 at home, before returning to work tomorrow morning. The company will still calculate the salary for this afternoon's shift for the workers and support 50,000 VND/person for Covid-19 testing.

On the same afternoon, at Nam Thuan Nghe An Joint Stock Company (Dien My, Dien Chau District, Nghe An), there was also a work stoppage of sewing workers. The petition related to the following contents: Uneven salary increase, increase in fuel allowance, unreasonable deductions of allowances... Dien Chau District Labor Union was present to resolve the matter. It is known that the regime and policies at this company are higher than the general level. The company will soon issue a written response to the workers.