Although Tet holiday is 3 months ahead, factory workers working in the enterprises have been so eager for the preparation of Tet enjoyment by their families. To celebrate a prosperous Tet holiday with their families, they have made more efforts for overtime work. And, in a bid for supporting them all-level agencies of Binh Duong Province has planned various practical programs to take care of them.
Saving for Tet
As life in original hometown becomes hardship, the now factory workers in Binh Duong Province have left home to seek out means of making ends meet. After a year away from home, Tet holiday is the most awaited event for them to reunion with their families. However, to make more money in the last months of the year before Tet, they have to work their best with overtime work.
Ben Cat Town Labor Union offers gifts to expatriate factory workers for the Tet holiday 2014.Photo: T. Ly
Trinh Thi Thu, a worker for Yazaki Company Limited in Di An Town talked about her hometown in Nam Dinh and three years working for the Company.Each month, she took 60% of her salary and save the remaining amounts in bank accounts as preservation for shopping before Tet at home. Thu not only works in a factory but also accepted more processing work of commodity labeling to seek for more income.
"After a year of hardworking, I only wish to get home for Tet with my family. The moment when my parents pick me up at the bus station in cold of the north make me engage in more efforts," said Thu.
In a small room, we saw quite frugal meal but full of the joy of 3 peer workers working for Binh Duong Garment Company Limited. Having earned high salary and bonuses, they cut back all their expenses to deposit for their parents' shopping for Tet. A meal tray of a few fishes, tofu, and stired vegetables is really full of happiness as they are going to be back home.
They revealed to us that listing has been made for what to buy and days of departure and returning.
"My monthly income here is better than farming. I had saved enough money to buy a television set. This is a surprise gift for my family. It should be joyful in my family this Tet holiday," said Thanh Nga.
In the same shoes of waiting for a warm Tet holiday back home, Ms. Thach Thi Than, a Khmer working for Khanh Binh Brick Kiln at Khanh Binh Ward in Tan Uyen Town targeted for saving up for Tet. She applied for overtime work and scheduled to buy vegetables and fruits to resell in front of the company gate to earn extra income.
"I have one son of 7 years old in custody of his maternal grandmother. I miss my son but have to accept the all year round working away from home as life back home is harsh. Every month, I send money back for my son, so I could not save much. As Tet is drawing near, I have to work more and earn more to get him the best garments. Thinking of his joy receiving new garments for Tet makes me so happy," said Than.
Expatriate workers supported
Every year, as the Tet holiday draws near, factory workers are also supported by sectors and unions of the province through practical activities along with their efforts. As for the provincial Labor Union, on Tet holiday (Year of the Goat) plan of transportation support has been made to help the factory workers travel back home. It is expected to bring 1,220 union members and worker residents from Phu Yen to Ha Noi. As for the companies and businesses, in a bid to retain employees, they also actively organized activities to care for them during Tet holiday.
Particularly, Primacy Vietnam Company Limited in My Phuoc Industrial Park, every year, informs its factory workers of specific Tet holiday leave and year-end bonuses. The companies also created every favorable condition for their factory workers including: fare registration, transportation to the bus stations and train stations; organizing visits, gifts offering to encourage their factory workers to get through difficulties enjoying Tet away from home at the hostels.Mr. Lin Kuan Cheng, Deputy Director of the Company, said: "No matter how hard it is, we shall take care of life for our workers during the holiday.The future of the Company is to take care for them. On this year's Tet holiday, we consider to offer more bonuses to workers of greater contributions. In the meantime, we shall also organize year-end party to enjoy the holiday.
Not only offering material life for expatriate workers, local provincial leaders and labor union have coordinated with sectors, unions, and enterprises to organize Tet celebration events. Particularly, the Department of Culture, Sports and Tourism has planned to strengthen such celebration. Before and after Tet, the Department will hold 10 concerts to service the factory workers. The performance program is assigned to Binh Duong Provincial People's Music and Dance Troupe.
The songs and dances will promisingly bring up the joy of springtime to the expatriate workers. Mr. Nguyen Thien Phuoc, Deputy President of Binh Duong Provincial Labor Union said that Binh Duong Province has been making efforts to take care of the expatriate workers despite the difficult economic prospect. Over 1,000 travel tickets are not enough for all of the expatriate workers to return home; however, the actions work as the basis of negotiation for more engagement of the businesses. The Union shall also coordinated with Department of Labor, Invalids and Social Affairs to pay gift visits to factory workers. This is the notion of supporting to ensure the expatriate workers of long-term working in Binh Duong Province.
Reported by Thien Ly – Translated by Vi Bao
