Desperate workers weigh up hard options

August 25, 2021 | 13:14
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Many unemployed workers have attempted to leave Ho Chi Minh City as they struggle to afford daily life, with many of them depending on the support of companies which are also dealing with issues.
Workers in Ho Chi Minh City get tested for coronavirus, Photo: Le Toan
Workers in Ho Chi Minh City get tested for coronavirus, Photo: Le Toan

After the announcement of Ho Chi Minh City on August 15 to extend social distancing measures for another month, thousands of unemployed workers tried to return to their hometowns.

People with belongings were stuck in roadblocks at the gateway of Hanoi Highway, waiting for the authorities to let them go. However, police and security forces at the checkpoints explained that they could not let the stream of people cross and return home due to the risk of spreading the coronavirus to other localities.

Unable to leave the city, many people have been struggling for survival, living on meagre savings and charity supplies.

It has been a month since Nguyen Thi Nga decided to temporarily leave her job at a woollen textile company, which is now operating with only a few workers. Nga chose to stay home as she was afraid of infections in the factory.

“I am not going to work any more, so I live on my savings now because the company does not pay any to someone leaving. It’s not easy to make ends meet, but somehow, I will manage it,” she shared.

Nga thought about going back to her family in the central province of Quang Binh, but there were some problems. “For example, I must quarantine for 21 days and pay all the costs, roughly $220. Moreover, other people are also flocking home, so many places are not safe any more. I can’t go home even if I want to because of the strict requirements,” she added.

Nga does not know when she would be back to work because there have been infections in her company.

Together with her, there have been thousands of unemployed workers in Ho Chi Minh City, and only some are still working to fill orders. Many unemployed workers now wait for support from their companies. However, not all companies can manage to help them as they are dealing with operating costs.

For instance, Nidec Vietnam is focusing on preventing the pandemic from reaching its factories, where still 1,200 out of 6,000 labourers are working. “We have too many concerns. We have to ensure safety while operating under appropriate models authorised by the city. However, maintaining operations is quite expensive,” said Luu Kim Hong, chairman of the Trade Union at Nidec Vietnam.

Nidec Vietnam is one of the few companies with high benefits for workers. Amid the pandemic, the company’s employees are receiving a basic wages monthly, no matter if they are working. However, only official employees who signed contracts will receive the money, seasonal workers do not, and most of the company’s employees are seasonal workers. Nevertheless, not all employees can survive with the small support wage, and many of them think about quitting their jobs. However, Hong explained that the decision to quit the job at present is not a good idea.

“We encourage our workers to not quit their jobs, and fortunately most of them stay. If they are still in our company, they will receive a small wage monthly, but if they quit, they receive nothing. Also, we will need our employees when we resume full operations at all factories,” he added.

Meanwhile, Dinsen Vietnam Enterprise Co. Ltd., located in Tan Tao Industrial Zone at Binh Tan district, managed to resume operation on August 9, with only 60 out of 1,100 labourers working. Nguyen Tai, foreman of Dinsen, told VIR that the company’s immediate challenge is to manage the costs and maintain operation. “We are coping with the deadlines. We have to pay contracts if we can’t complete our orders. We will take care of those workers who return to work, but as for those on leave, they have to wait for the trade union’s decision,” Tai said.

Both employers and employees are facing difficulties. While unemployed workers are willing to leave the city and return home, employers desire to retain their workforce for the future, but struggle to support their workers. Unemployed people are now looking to the government and cities to help them survive.

Ho Chi Minh City has launched three support packages to help people affected by the pandemic. On August 10, Le Minh Tan, director of Ho Chi Minh City Department of Labour, Invalids and Social Affairs, announced the third support package of $39.3 million for three target groups.

Accordingly, freelance workers without labour contracts, low-income households in the city, and workers in motels in the isolated areas will all receive $65 per person. The second support package of $39.3 million was given to citizens before August 15, while the first was run in July.

By Trúc Anh

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