Need to strictly manage foreign workers working in Quy Hop (Nghe An)

(Baonghean) -The number of foreign workers in the western districts of Nghe An province is increasing. They come from many countries and territories such as India, China, Taiwan..., mainly working in mineral mines.

On October 18, we visited the area where white stone is mined for export by local businesses. Mr. Lang Quang Trung, Commander of the Chau Tien Commune Military Command, said: "There are currently many foreign workers in the commune, living and working in isolation at the production site." We asked how many foreign workers there were? Mr. Trung replied that he was not sure...!

Foreign workers at Duc Chinh enterprise.

The "headquarters" at the construction site of Wolkem India Ltd (India), a joint venture with Lam Hong Company, are containers that have been repaired into offices and warehouses. Myhesh Menaria, a stone expert, said: "I have been working here for a year, life is very comfortable. The total number of Indian compatriots in the company is 12. However, at times, this number can be up to 20-30 people."

At the Chau Hong Commune People's Committee, in response to our question about the number and composition of foreign workers in the area, Chairman of the Commune People's Committee Kim Van Huong could not give an exact figure and had to ask Mr. Sam Ngoc Phong, Chief of the Commune Police, to provide data. Mr. Phong said: "Foreign workers have been working in Chau Hong since 2 years ago. The commune strictly implements all procedures and regulations on managing temporary residents and temporary absences. Among the more than 20 mineral exploitation enterprises here, many enterprises employ foreign workers. Currently, Duc Chinh Company employs the most foreign workers, 7 Chinese people."

We went to the tin mine of Duc Chinh Company. Mr. Nguyen Cong Thanh, the mine manager of Duc Chinh Company, said: "Previously, the company had 7 Chinese workers here, but now 4 have returned to their country, one went to Hanoi for personal work, and the remaining two people." Upon hearing this information, Mr. Sam Ngoc Phong, the head of the commune police, was very surprised and asked Mr. Thanh to report to the commune People's Committee when there was any change in temporary residence or temporary absence.

On October 20, Quy Hop District Police provided us with data on the number of foreigners currently registered for temporary residence in the district as of September 30, 2011, which was 17 people. We believe that this number is quite low compared to reality. The Western part of Nghe An province, including Quy Hop district, is rich in natural resources and minerals. The increasing number of foreigners coming to work in the area is a sign of investment activities, contributing to socio-economic development, job creation, hunger eradication and poverty reduction. However, along with strict management of natural resources and the environment to avoid loss and waste, functional agencies and local authorities need to strengthen measures to manage labor in general and foreign labor in the area strictly and legally, contributing to ensuring social order and safety, national defense and security.

Tran Hoai