Unstable life of workers

(Baonghean) - Among more than 13,000 workers working in industrial parks in the Southeast Economic Zone, there are currently about 5,000 people lacking housing; 1,120 children under 36 months old are children of workers who have to be sent back to their hometowns for their grandparents to take care of; nearly 800 children under 36 months old are in need of going to preschool but have no nursery to send them to.

Lack of material and spiritual things

Ms. Phan Thi Huyen - a worker at Matrix Company Ltd., from Yen Thanh, said: "My average income, including overtime, is 3.7 million VND/month. After deducting the rent of 400,000 VND/month, I have to spend sparingly to be able to save money to send home to support my children's education. Most of the time, we come home from work almost at night, so we just go across the street to buy some meat or eggs, tofu, and vegetables to eat for a meal."

Poor, repetitive menus that only meet starch needs and do not ensure necessary nutrients have a significant impact on workers' health.

Leaders of the Southeast Economic Zone Trade Union presented gifts to female workers in difficult circumstances.

Bac Vinh Industrial Park and Nam Cam Industrial Park have over 5,000 workers in need of housing. They are currently renting temporary rooms in cramped residential areas, roofed with corrugated iron or asbestos cement, so they are very hot in the summer, humid in the winter, and do not ensure environmental hygiene and fire safety.

According to survey data, in Bac Vinh and Nam Cam Industrial Parks, there are 1,120 children under 36 months old who have to be sent back to their hometowns for their grandparents to take care of; 751 children under 36 months old are living with their mothers and want to go to preschool but there is no nursery to send them to. Temporary accommodation, having children without a place to send them, and low income make many workers lose their attachment to their jobs, and many even quit their jobs.

A boarding house for workers near Bac Vinh industrial park.

According to a survey by the Provincial Department of Population and Family Planning, Bac Vinh and Nam Cam Industrial Parks alone have over 13,000 workers, of which 93.5% are of childbearing age, the proportion of those without children is 70.3%; 69% of workers believe that there is a phenomenon of "trial living". Ms. Dinh Thi Binh - owner of the house number 394, Dang Thai Mai Street (Vinh City) said: "Workers lack affection, so there are many cases where people from the countryside come to stay for a week and fall in love and "trial living".

In addition, workers have very little knowledge about reproductive health, how to prevent sexually transmitted diseases, contraceptive methods... leading to unwanted pregnancies, infections, directly affecting motherhood, health, spirit and many other consequences for themselves...

Need for synchronous policies

In order to improve the material and spiritual life of workers, the Dong Nam Economic Zone Trade Union has implemented many practical activities such as: Guiding grassroots Trade Unions to negotiate and sign collective labor agreements; regularly coordinating with competent agencies to monitor, inspect and examine the implementation of the Labor Law. Up to now, the rate of workers with labor contracts has reached 100%; 70% of enterprises have established collective labor agreements.

Mr. Nguyen Danh Chuyen, Chairman of the Trade Union of Minh Anh - Kim Lien Garment Joint Stock Company, said: "The trade union coordinates well with the business owner to organize emulation movements, regularly discuss the implementation of policies such as improving shift meals, wages, labor standards, and increasing allowances for workers. We have negotiated with the employer to increase the diligence allowance for workers from 200,000 VND/person/month to 400,000 VND/person/month; increase shift meal allowance from 12,000 VND/meal to 15,000 VND/meal". From 2012 to now, 735 workers in difficult circumstances have been visited and given gifts by the Provincial Labor Federation, the Trade Union of Dong Nam Economic Zone, and the trade union; 3 workers have been supported to build 3 "Union Shelters".

“Charming Southeast Economic Zone 2015” contest - A solution to improve the cultural and spiritual life of workers. Photo: MN

Over the years, the Dong Nam Economic Zone Trade Union has coordinated to organize the programs "Happy Tet with workers"; "Worker Month Melody 2015"; "Youth Workers Festival 2015". Sports exchange programs, cultural exchange programs, lucky draws have created "spiritual meals" after tiring working hours and have attracted thousands of workers to participate.

To improve the lives of workers, it is necessary to have the synchronous attention of socio-political organizations and employers. First of all, it is necessary to reform the minimum wage policy for workers; correctly assess the current situation to adjust it to suit the needs of life.

In addition, local authorities and employers need to invest in infrastructure, build housing for workers, build sports and cultural exchange venues, schools, kindergartens for workers' children and invest funds for reproductive health care for industrial park workers...

Minh Nguyet

(Southeast Economic Zone Trade Union)