A trade union will be established and a collective labor agreement will be drawn up.
Over two days (August 6th and 7th), nearly 800 workers of BSE Vietnam Co., Ltd., located in the Nam Cam Industrial Park (Nghi Loc), went on strike to protest working hours, increased wages, the rotation of day and night shifts, and improved meal quality. Authorized by the General Director, Mr. Choiilki, the Director of Human Resources and Administration of BSE Vietnam Co., Ltd., spoke with a reporter from Nghe An newspaper about this issue.
(Baonghean)Over two days (August 6th and 7th), nearly 800 workers of BSE Vietnam Co., Ltd., located in the Nam Cam Industrial Park (Nghi Loc), went on strike to protest working hours, increased wages, the rotation of day and night shifts, and improved meal quality. Authorized by the General Director, Mr. Choiilki, the Director of Human Resources and Administration of BSE Vietnam Co., Ltd., spoke with a reporter from Nghe An newspaper about this issue.
PV: Hello sir, could you please tell us about the company's production and business situation and the reasons for the recent collective work stoppage by the workers?
Mr. Choilki:BSE Group is building the BSE Vietnam factory in Zone C of the Nam Cam Industrial Park. This is the Group's sixth factory (the previous five include two in South Korea, two in China, and one in Hai Duong, Vietnam). The factory produces speakers and phone components for Samsung and Nokia. Currently, the factory is in phase 1 of investment, with a total investment of $13 million out of a total investment of $31 million. The factory system includes two workshops, each 5,000 m2, two office buildings, and a canteen. The current workforce is 760 people. When operating at full capacity, it will require 5,000 people. However, the factory's products are not yet being sold because Samsung Group has not yet approved their quality.
Workers are seen on the electronic component production line at BSE Vietnam Factory (Nam Cam Industrial Park). Photo: CL
The strike stemmed from workers' concerns and requests regarding working hours, wage increases, the rotation of day and night shifts, and improved meal quality. Specifically, workers protested the company's announcement on August 12th that it would implement a two-shift system: Shift 1 from 4:30 AM to 1:30 PM, and Shift 2 from 1:30 PM to 10:30 PM, replacing the previous standard office hours. Each shift would be 9 hours long, with a 1-hour break including 10-minute breaks (three times per shift) and a 30-minute meal break. Therefore, the workers requested that the company change the shift times to: Shift 1 from 5:30 AM to 1:30 PM; and Shift 2 from 1:30 PM to 9:30 PM. Regarding meal allowances: We request that the company improve meal services to ensure cleanliness, hygiene, and increased food portions. Regarding wages: We request that the company increase wages every six months as stipulated by the Labor Law and as per the company's commitment. Additionally, we request that the company consider increasing fuel allowances, attendance allowances, implementing health insurance for workers, and establishing a labor union as required by law.
PV: Sir, are the workers' suggestions reasonable?
Ms. Dang Thi Nga - Representative of the employees at BSE Vietnam Company: The company's change in working hours, after consultation with relevant departments and agencies, has been largely agreed upon by the workers. However, some will have to quit due to having young children and being unable to work night shifts. The difficulty for workers here is the lack of dormitories; they have to rent houses and travel quite far home after work, especially if they work night shifts. But the General Director has decided that there are only two time slots, so the workers are forced to agree. I have been working for 3 months, and my income after deducting health insurance and social insurance is 2.1-2.2 million VND/month. Mr. Nguyen Anh Thuong - Factory Production Manager: The factory is currently facing significant difficulties. Despite large investments, we haven't been able to sell our products. Although I understand the disadvantages faced by the workers and even myself, I must share the company's difficulties. The workers' production is still incomplete, and many products still require repairs. The strike was spontaneous, but now everyone has returned to production. |
Reporter: We understand that workers submitted a petition to the company on August 2nd. Was the strike due to the company's delay in responding to the workers?
Mr. Choilki:No. On August 2nd, the workers submitted a petition, but that was a Friday. On Friday afternoon, August 2nd, the two directors, the administrative director and the production director, met with the workers to hear their petition, but they couldn't resolve it. We agreed to report it to the General Director. After the weekend, on Monday, August 5th, the Board of Directors met, including the General Director, and I reported the matter to him. The General Director replied that he assigned me the responsibility to review Vietnamese law to find the best solution. On the afternoon of August 5th, I and the head of the General Affairs Department went to the Southeast Economic Zone Management Board for advice on resolving the issue and working hours. The leaders of the Southeast Economic Zone Management Board also suggested that the company hold a meeting with the workers to reach a consensus on their petitions. While I was looking for a solution to present to the General Director, on August 6th, the workers went on strike.
PV: Sir, how have the workers' requests been addressed so far?
Mr. Choilki:Following a meeting with the provincial inter-agency delegation, General Director Back Heng Hyun agreed on several specific points: Regarding working hours: Shift 1 from 7:30 AM to 4:30 PM, including a 1-hour lunch break not counted as working time, and a 30-minute break due to the nature of the work, which is counted as working time. Shift 2 is from 8:00 PM to 5:00 AM (including 45 minutes in the middle of the shift counted as working time, and 1 hour of overtime paid at overtime rates). Regarding shift changes: the company is considering and discussing this with the Board of Directors, with a view to once a week or once a month. Once agreed, employees will be notified. Regarding meal services: Currently, the company is completing the canteen due to delays by the contractor, so meals are being provided externally at a cost of 18,000 VND per meal (excluding VAT), and the company is subsidizing this cost. Therefore, the company cannot increase the price of the meals. The company commits to working with the meal provider to ensure clean and hygienic meals. If the provider fails to meet the requirements, they will replace them with another provider.
Regarding wages: Currently, the company applies a basic salary of VND 2,030,000/month, higher than the minimum wage stipulated by the State (Region IV: VND 1,650,000/month - Decree No. 103/2012/CP). There is a fuel allowance of VND 200,000/month and an attendance allowance of VND 150,000/month (if working 26 days). The company does not commit to increasing wages every six months for its workers. Regarding employee income increases, the company will base its bonus policies on production results. Regarding health insurance: There have been delays in issuing health insurance cards to workers in the past. The company will check for cases where workers do not have health insurance cards and provide them in accordance with regulations. Participation in health insurance, social insurance, and unemployment insurance is carried out according to Vietnamese law. Regarding the conduct of the management department: In the past, the company's accounting department handled employee payroll unclearly and with shortcomings. The company has rectified the situation (some staff members have been dismissed). The company will continue to make improvements in the future.
PV: We understand that the company has not yet established a trade union or a collective labor agreement?
Mr. Choilki:That's right. The company is currently awaiting inspection and evaluation of product quality by Samsung Group. Therefore, only after Samsung Group approves the product quality will the company officially begin operations. At that time, the company will proceed with establishing a labor union and drafting a collective bargaining agreement.
Interviewer: Thank you, sir!
Chau Lan (compiled)
