To implement the resolution of National Assembly’s Standing Committee on the number of overtime hours in a year and a month of workers in the context of Covid-19 prevention control and socio-economic recovery and development, many businesses in the province said they are discussing additional incentives for employees such as meal allowances or increase of Tet bonus level, do not let employees suffer losses.
Businesses care about employees when increasing working hours
Many companies in the province said that the pandemic in the province in particular and the whole country in general is still complicated, affecting the production business of businesses. In Binh Duong, workers returning to work after Tet in industrial zones and clusters is still not enough; the number of workers directly affected by the Covid-19 is also high, leading to a workforce shortage. The Resolution of the National Assembly’s Standing Committee on increasing the number of overtime hours from 40 to 60 hours in a month and not exceeding 300 hours in a year will contribute to the recovery of production and business in the current period.
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Many enterprises are considering increasing allowances for employees having overtime hour of more than 40 hours per month according to the resolution of National Assembly. In photo: Manufacture at Phong Phu Wood Company (Tan Uyen Town).
Nguyen Tai Duong, Trade Union Chairman of Maruichi Sun Steel Joint Stock Company (Di An City), said that after Tet, although the company tried to recruit more workers, they has not recruited enough employees. The increase in overtime hours partly meets the production business plan set out this year. "In recent days, Trade Union of the company and the business leaders met to discuss this issue, we agreed to complying with the provisions, and take good care of employees. Workers, who are woman workers raising a child under 12 months, pregnant workers; who have mild disabilities and reduced labor capacity; who do hard, hazard works, will have to increase their working hours, the company allows workers in good health and with their consent to work more than 40 hours but not exceed 60 hours in a month," Duong said.
He added that for those who work more than 40 hours, the company is finding ways to ensure good health of employees. That is a reasonable overtime hour during the week, taking care of meals to regain health. As reaching and exceeding revenue in the quarter and the year, workers having overtime will receive increase in allowances, besides overtime payment, or increase the Tet bonus. In general, the company will comply with regulations set by the resolution and not let employees suffer any loss.
In 2021, despite the severe impact of the Covid-19, Earth Corporation Vietnam (South Tan Uyen Industrial Park) took good care of their workers, such as offering televisions, motorbikes, refrigerators to high-productivity workers. On average, an employee received a Tet bonus of three-month salary, equivalent to VND 30 million. In addition, there were other allowances during the pandemic period. Phan Thi Phuong Linh, Human Resources Director of the company, said: "The company always pays attention to working hours and regimes for employees. Working hours will be increased in accordance with regulations and must be based on the consent of the employee. In addition, the company applies monthly and annual leave regimes so that workers are able to rest, travel, and regenerate their labor; when increasing overtime hours, reasonable schedules must be arranged during the month. The company must take into account the quality of meals during overtime period as well as allowances and bonuses at the end of this year."
It is necessary to calculate progressive overtime pay for employees
Nguyen The Thien, Director of Binh Duong Law Consulting Company, said that there are many businesses that take good care of workers' lives. When implementing the resolution of the National Assembly on increasing the number of overtime hours in 2022, these enterprises paid attention to and care about meals, allowances, as well as regulate reasonable working hours to ensure good health of employees. However, overtime hours during a month may be happen, it can create loopholes for some businesses to force workers to work beyond the prescribed hours. Currently, regulations are quite lax, inspections are conducted once or twice a year, hence the serious compliance with regulations is not guaranteed.
Nguyen The Thien added that the resolution of National Assembly did not mention how to calculate overtime pay, there is only "in case of having overtime, the employer implements the welfare regimes to ensure that the employees have more favorable conditions than prescribed by the labor law". Currently, according to regulations, workers having overtime hours on normal weekdays receive a compensation of at least 150% of their normal wage; 200% on weekly offs, and 300% on national holidays and Tet holidays. If the current level is maintained, it will be a disadvantage for labor.
Thien said that trade unions need to bargain with employers about progressive overtime pay for employees as increasing overtime hours. For example, overtime hour from 201 to 250 on normal weekdays, the compensation must be increased by 200%; increased to 300% if overtime hour from 251 to 300 hours; and continue to be increased to 400-500% if workers work overtime on weekends and Tet holidays...
Reported by Quang Tam – Translated by Ngoc Huynh
