Nghe An workers strike

May 23, 2012 | 08:00

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Nearly 2,600 workers of a company in the central province of Nghe An went on strike to demand better wages and improved working conditions.

Thousands of workers went on strike

The workers, who work for Matrix Limited Company at Bac Vinh Industrial Park, began their strike on the morning of May 21.

A worker said that the company had forced them to start working around 10 minutes earlier than the regulated timetable while continuing to pay them a minimum wage of VND1.6 million-VND1.8 million ($76.66-$86.24) per month. They can earn a maxim wage of VND2.7 million ($129.37) per month by working overtime and not having lunch at the company.

“The hours are too strict, particularly when you take into account the low levels of pay. We find it difficult to cope with spiralling living costs,” another worker admitted.

Despite the scorching sun, thousands of workers picketed the company.

Many workers were unsatisfied with the company’s irrational disciplinary policies. “When the company ran out of materials, they decided to cut their workforce. All pregnant workers were sacked, while the remaining workers were forced to work overtime to meet productivity targets,” a worker commented.

Several other workers said they are banned from bringing water to the company in summer, and were only allocated a maximum of five minutes break to queue up for water on site. Those who broke this regulation had their pay cut.

Many of the workers said they would continue their strike if the company does not improve their policies.

According to the company’s management they claimed they were completely unaware of the demands laid out by the strikers. However, workers said they had lodged several demands with the company, but it had taken no action to improve the situation.

On the afternoon of the same day, Nguyen Chi Cong from Nghe An provincial Labour Union told DTiNews that they have tried to contact with the company’s leaders but were told their leaders were on a business trip.

Matrix Limited Company is a wholly Chinese invested firm that specialises in producing stuffed toys for export. In 2009, workers initiated a strike over low pay.

Photos taken from the strike: