Hao Duong delays paying environmental pollution fines

Photo source: nguoi lao dong

“Hao Duong admits to the wrongdoings and commits to mitigating the consequences and submitting the VND6.3 billion in fines,” Tang Van Duc, chairman of Hao Duong, said, but added that paying was hard, because “Hao Duong hasn’t been operating for the past 14 months and thus is in a difficult financial situation. The company is paying salaries to its 300 workers who were temporarily out of work due to the factory closure, as well as improving its waste water treatment system, maintaining equipment and compensating foreign customers, which cost a total VND25 billion ($1.17 million).”

Photo source: nguoi lao dong

Duc said he hoped the people’s committee would allow the firm to pay in multiple installments, “to help reduce the financial pressure, so that the firm can continue operating and finish paying the VND6.3 billlion fine”.

He also asked if Hao Duong could be allowed to re-open the factory on a trial basis this month. If Hao Duong does not meet the standards set by authorities, it will close and admit all responsibilities. The request is still being considered by the local authorities.

Hao Duong, located in the Hiep Phuoc Industrial Park in Nha Ba district, Ho Chi Minh City, was forced to suspend operation in November 2013 after repeatedly violating environmental laws by discharging toxic waste into the nearby Dong Dien River. From 2005 until the date of the factory closure, Hao Duong were caught and fined 10 times with the fine of a few thousand dollars each. The company never paid the fines and they did not stop discharging liquid toxic waste.

The VND6.3 billion fine Hao Duong was subject to pay was said to be the highest-ever level levied on an corporate environmental polluter in Vietnam.