Employers committed to their employees

In addition to their focus on employment and income, numerous foreign direct investment (FDI) business owners in the province provide financial assistance to employees for purchasing vehicles, homes, and funding their children's education, all without interest. Each year, they collaborate with local authorities to support impoverished households, families in distress, and individuals impacted by natural disasters and floods. 

To provide financial assistance to employees for home purchases

For many years, over 500 employees of Phong Thai Rubber Company Limited (Ben Cat City) have regarded Mr. Chen Chiu Lung (Mr. Chen) from Taiwan (China), the company's General Director, as a member of their family. Throughout his more than 20 years of investment and residence in Binh Duong, Mr. Chen has consistently viewed the workers as invaluable assets essential to the enterprise's survival.

As the proprietor of a substantial foreign direct investment enterprise, Mr. Chen leads a modest lifestyle, maintaining close relationships with his employees. Each day, upon arriving at the company, he joins the workers for meals, inquiring about their circumstances and offering encouragement. While the workers' food provisions are adequately managed by the grassroots union, ensuring proper nutrition, Mr. Chen consistently seeks to enhance their welfare. "Recently, during a night shift, he visited the cafeteria and observed a worker consuming instant noodles that lacked vegetables and meat. The following morning, he promptly instructed the cafeteria to procure several kilograms of beef and the freshest vegetables to stock in the refrigerator, allowing workers to enhance their noodles as needed, with the company covering the costs," recalled Ms. Dinh Thi Huong, Chairwoman of the Grassroots Union. According to Ms. Huong, this anecdote exemplifies Mr. Chen's attentive approach to improving the daily lives of his workers.

In addition to stabilizing employment and generating substantial incomes for its workforce, Phong Thai Rubber Company Limited prioritizes the well-being of its employees in various aspects. This includes organizing trips for workers, providing regular gifts and financial assistance to those in need, and establishing recreational areas to enhance their quality of life during holidays and Tet celebrations. For families facing hardships, particularly parents residing far from their children, Mr. Chen has instructed the grassroots Trade Union to collaborate with the company in compiling a list to assist families in relocating their children closer to them and facilitating school admissions near the company. Each year, Mr. Chen consistently endorses the grassroots Trade Union's initiatives to formalize agreements that benefit workers, such as support for childcare and expectant mothers, comprehensive medical examinations for all employees, subsidies for fuel and housing, and assistance for underprivileged children to pursue their education.

Ms. Dinh Thi Huong remarked, “For long-serving employees at the company, Mr. Chen provides interest-free loans from his personal funds to assist them in purchasing land and constructing homes, deducting approximately 4 to 5 million VND per person from their monthly salaries, contingent upon their income. Numerous families seeking to buy cars or support their children’s college education are also offered loans ranging from 300 to 400 million VND per person. Mr. Chen exemplifies a life of significance, demonstrating compassion and a genuine concern for the well-being of his employees. Consequently, our company has experienced no employee resignations or job changes for many years, and we have not had to lay off any staff.”

To collaborate with the local community

Over the years, more than 4,000 union members and employees of Rochdale Spears Company Limited (Tan Uyen City) have consistently expressed their admiration and respect for Mr. Geoff Hawkes, the company's chairman from the UK. In addition to ensuring stable employment and income for workers, the company also provides exceptional support for those facing difficult circumstances, illness, or work-related accidents through special policies. Notably, during holidays and Tet, he personally visits each boarding house to distribute gifts, offer encouragement, and hand out lucky money envelopes. A passionate admirer of Vietnamese culture and customs, he frequently guides the grassroots union in organizing engaging activities, competitions, and performances that leave a lasting impression, such as the Chung cake and Tet cake cooking contests, Ao Dai fashion shows, and various traditional games. He often captivates workers by donning the traditional Vietnamese Ao Dai during holidays and Tet, fully immersing himself in the festivities.

Furthermore, Mr. Geoff Hawkes consistently prioritizes employment opportunities for local workers, including demobilized soldiers and children from challenging backgrounds who seek employment within the company. Annually, the company conducts charitable initiatives, distributing hundreds of gifts to impoverished households and families facing difficulties in the region. It allocates hundreds of millions of VND each year to support local activities, including funding for underprivileged children to access education, as well as programs such as "Tet Charity - Spring of Love" and the "For the Poor" Fund. Each year, union members and employees are mobilized to organize blood donation drives to save lives on multiple occasions.

At Response Company Limited (Uyen Hung Industrial Park, Tan Uyen City), employees consistently highlight the benevolence of Mr. Peter, the Danish General Director, in initiatives aimed at enhancing the welfare of union members and workers. Mr. Le Van Bien, Chairman of the grassroots union, remarked, “In addition to effectively executing union policies, the compassion of the business leader is crucial. Most of the union initiatives aimed at improving the lives of workers at the company receive Mr. Peter's endorsement. This support serves as the foundation for the continuous improvement of workers' lives.”

In recent years, alongside the implementation of policies established by the superior trade union, the company's grassroots trade union has initiated numerous programs aimed at supporting union members during holidays and Tet. For instance, on March 8 and October 20, female employees are granted a day off for socializing and leisure activities. In instances of illness or accidents, a visitation protocol is followed in accordance with regulations. In cases of severe accidents or illnesses, the grassroots trade union advocates for collective support from workers, which can amount to tens of millions of VND per case. Additionally, workers receive monthly financial assistance for fuel and childcare expenses.

Furthermore, the grassroots trade union collaborates with the company's leadership to implement social volunteer initiatives. A notable example is the "For the Future Generation" scholarship program, which assists underprivileged students who are children of employees, both within and outside the company, in accessing educational opportunities. Each scholarship amounts to a maximum of 5 million VND. Consequently, hundreds of millions of VND in scholarships have been awarded to children both within the company and those facing challenges in Binh Phuoc and Quang Nam provinces.

To enhance the well-being of workers, facilitate their stability, and encourage long-term commitment to the company, the grassroots union is establishing a mutual aid fund of approximately 1 billion VND and has requested Mr. Peter's support. This fund aims to provide interest-free loans to workers facing illness, thereby preventing their reliance on predatory lending. Additionally, the grassroots union will advocate for the company's leadership to develop a collective housing area, ensuring that workers in challenging situations have access to stable housing without the burden of monthly rent. Within this collective housing area, there are plans to include a nursery or kindergarten, providing a conducive environment for workers' children to learn and receive quality care.

Reported by Quang Tam - Translated by Vi Bao