The word "Reset" (in English) is used in many fields, and we often translate it into Vietnamese as "restart." In the field of Computer Science, this word also has other meanings: adjusting to zero or returning to the initial state. Within the scope of this article, we will address the primary meaning of the word "Reset" to describe the need for a "restart" for hundreds of thousands of workers who lost their jobs or had their working hours reduced in 2022.
Press reports indicate that since the beginning of 2022, many textile, footwear, electronics, and wood export factories in southern provinces have laid off hundreds of thousands of workers due to reduced orders, difficulties in sourcing raw materials, and export challenges. In Ho Chi Minh City alone, by the end of October 2022, nearly 128,000 people had lost their jobs, a 26% increase compared to the same period last year. In Binh Duong province, over 28,000 workers had their contracts temporarily suspended, and approximately 240,000 had their working hours reduced. In other provinces and cities, the textile, garment, and footwear manufacturing sectors also faced numerous difficulties due to fewer orders and potential workforce reductions.
Losing a job is something no one wants in a volatile society. It's different from resigning. No worker wants to be "taken away" from their job by their employer or manager. Statistics from relevant agencies show that about 20-30% of the total number of people who lost their jobs in the southern provinces received unemployment insurance. The majority of the remaining workers lost their jobs before completing 12 months of employment under their contracts; according to regulations, they did not receive unemployment benefits from their employers and were not eligible for unemployment insurance. This severely impacted the lives of workers. A common sight in some southern provinces was many workers having to take buses back to their hometowns for the Lunar New Year holiday early, starting from the beginning of November 2022.
Job losses will cause significant hardship for workers due to the lack of income to cover living expenses, while the prices of many consumer goods increase towards the end of the year. Although initially, the Labor Federation at all levels and company unions have negotiated with business leaders to ensure the full implementation of regulations regarding wages, Tet bonuses, etc., for workers, the difficulties are compounded by job losses.
However, losing a job doesn't mean the door is closed for workers. Consider it a reset; they have the opportunity to find new jobs, learn new skills needed in society, or return to their hometowns to develop sustainable agriculture. Of course, this process requires the active support of family, friends, and society as a whole. A noteworthy piece of information is that at the end of 2022, industrial zones in Nghe An needed more than 40,000 workers. This could be an opportunity for many unemployed workers to "restart" their careers.
Article by: Nguyen Nguyen
Illustrative image: Archival material
