Profit comes first.

(Baonghean) - There's a folk saying, "A hundred favors are not worth as much as money," implying the powerful influence of money on people. The power of money sometimes blinds people's reason, causing them to forget everything, including favors, morality, and even the lives of others. This proverb also proves that, since ancient times, money has held the upper hand in society. And it remains so today...

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There are countless examples to support that point, but even mentioning recent shocking events is enough to illustrate it clearly. The most recent incident, which has garnered widespread attention, concern, and fear, is the collapse of the Da Dang - Da Chomo hydroelectric tunnel in Lam Dong province. The tunnel collapse forced 12 workers to endure four days of unwelcome submersion in "hell." It's difficult to imagine or comprehend the horrific moments those people must have experienced during those days. Thankfully, they were rescued unharmed. However, looking back at the tunnel collapse, one can't help but break out in a cold sweat, because this accident was foreseen.

Data and statements from authorities reveal that the tunnel excavation area has very weak soil. Several contractors, including large, reputable companies in this field such as Vinaconex Underground Construction Investment Joint Stock Company, have had to "flee," along with warnings to the investor that continuing with the tunnel would be very dangerous. The tunnel collapse has proven those warnings. The question here, as the Chairman of the Lam Dong Provincial People's Committee requested an investigation to clarify, is: "Previous inspections revealed weak geological conditions, land subsidence, and safety hazards, so why wasn't construction stopped for review and remedial measures?...".

Why? Simply because the investor has already spent a lot of money, so they can't stop. Stopping even for a day means a loss of profit. Therefore, they are determined not to stop, despite the danger that could threaten people's lives. As for the construction company, they know for sure that the soil is weak, but they still accept the risk. Because they need work; the company can't just sit around doing nothing. Work is necessary for workers to earn income and for the company to make a profit. Ultimately, profit is always the ultimate goal of any business. Regulations and legal requirements regarding safety, employee benefits, and especially construction quality are merely shackles for them. When supervision is lax, and there is collusion and illicit dealings, people are willing to violate the law for profit. In reality, even small projects still suffer significant losses and violations. It is precisely because of these restrictive regulations and strict laws that, in small projects, when calculating efficiency and small profits, many businesses are forced to withdraw or prioritize the common good. However, in many places, many individuals and groups still exploit loopholes and take risks. Knowing full well that it is unsafe and uncertain, they still send workers into underground construction sites. And then tragedy strikes...

Another issue, currently causing much public concern, is that since the beginning of the year, gasoline prices have been reduced 12 times, bringing them down to their lowest level in four years. However, the prices of other goods remain unchanged, stubbornly clinging to their established levels. This is in stark contrast to the past, when gasoline prices increased, other goods, especially transportation costs, would immediately rise, with the very legitimate reason being the increase in gasoline prices. Gasoline and oil are commodities with a profound and immediate impact on many production and business sectors, so "when it increases, everything else increases." Even if gasoline prices increased by one unit, other things would follow suit in a very illogical way. When domestic gasoline prices differed from world prices, there were immediate calls to regulate gasoline prices according to market mechanisms, closely following international prices. If world prices increased, we increased; if world prices decreased, we decreased... But now gasoline prices have decreased. Things have been reduced many times already, so why haven't other things decreased?

Even things like electricity are starting to rise. Where is fairness? Where is responsibility to the community? Meanwhile, ministries and agencies in charge of pricing are constantly urging businesses, especially those in the transportation sector, to urgently reduce prices to protect consumer rights and contribute to social welfare, economic stability, and national development. However, in response to these calls and demands, there is only silence. Absolute silence. In fact, they are "keeping quiet and making money," both literally and figuratively. The longer they maintain prices, the more profit they make. And the more they increase, the higher the profits become. So no one is foolish enough to rush to lower prices. They just keep procrastinating, hesitating, and waiting, defiantly refusing to lower prices. What can anyone do about it? Despite the fact that the majority of the population, especially workers and their children, struggle with numerous difficulties and shortages due to meager incomes and unreasonably high and insensitive prices.

From this, we can see how unfair, terrible, and even horribly cruel things can become when everyone prioritizes profit!

Buddha Mountain