The Inspectorate of the Ministry of Labor, War Invalids and Social Affairs has just announced the results of an inspection at 152 textile and garment enterprises nationwide, discoveringMore than 1,700 violations at these enterprises.

Textiles and garments are currently one of Vietnam's key export sectors with about 6,000 enterprises and over 2.5 million workers.

This is a labor inspection campaign piloted by the Ministry of Labor, War Invalids and Social Affairs Inspectorate with the support of the International Labor Organization (ILO) and the coordination of two partners, the Vietnam General Confederation of Labor and the Vietnam Chamber of Commerce and Industry.

Textiles and garments are currently one of Vietnam's key export sectors in recent years with about 6,000 enterprises and over 2.5 million workers.

During this inspection, the authorities inspected 152 enterprises in 12 provinces and cities across the country over a period of 4 months, from May to September 2015.

Specifically, the inspection teams discovered 1,786 violations (an average of 12 violations/enterprise). Notably, up to 60 enterprises violated the regulation on mobilizing employees to work overtime beyond the prescribed number of hours; 22 enterprises did not comply with regulations on working hours for female employees who are raising children under 12 months old, female employees doing heavy, hazardous work and pregnant from 7 months old or older...

Mr. Nguyen Tien Tung, Deputy Chief Inspector of the Ministry of Labor, War Invalids and Social Affairs, said that regarding wages and salaries alone, 47 enterprises have not yet established labor norms, salary scales, and payroll systems.

36 enterprises "forgot" to pay employees for unused annual leave or days not taken, did not pay for night work or overtime, 11 enterprises paid employees lower than the minimum wage prescribed by the State...

Many businesses have violated labor safety regulations such as not having safety warning signs, prohibition signs, signs directing people and vehicles; not disseminating to workers regulations on escape routes and posting them in visible places for everyone to know and comply; not having a diagram showing escape routes.

In particular, some businesses have not yet provided personal protective equipment for all workers; have not participated in occupational safety training; have not used personal protective equipment for the right purpose; have assigned staff to do occupational safety work without being trained in occupational safety and hygiene...

According to Mr. Nguyen Tien Tung, violations in the textile industry are quite complicated. Especially in the context of Vietnam joining the TPP Agreement, businesses will be bound by international law and Vietnamese law. Businesses that want to have many customers, orders, and export products must comply with legal regulations, especially the convention against forced labor.

Therefore, "opening an inspection campaign in this industry will help businesses start off well in complying with labor laws when Vietnam joins the TPP," said Mr. Tung.

Since this is the first time the Ministry Inspectorate has coordinated with pilot partners to organize an inspection, it is inevitable that there will be difficulties, obstacles and limitations.

It is noteworthy that employers still avoid receiving and working with the Inspection Team, only authorizing the Deputy Directors or Heads of Human Resources to work. Therefore, the Team cannot fully grasp the difficult situation of the enterprise in order to have measures to guide the enterprise to properly implement the provisions of the law on labor, labor safety and labor hygiene.

“There are some business representatives who do not comply with the inspection decision or do not cooperate with the inspection team, causing difficulties during the inspection process,” Mr. Tung added.

It is known that in 2016, the Inspectorate of the Ministry of Labor, War Invalids and Social Affairs will propose to inspect labor in the construction sector nationwide because in 2015, this sector often had many labor accidents.

According to VnEconomy