With abundant orders, efforts to retain and attract workers..., enterprises in the textile and garment industry are focusing on production and business recovery after the Covid-19 pandemic is well controlled, joining hands with other industries to recover the growth momentum for the province's economy.
Speeding up production
Province-based textile and garment enterprises have immediately begun recovering production after the province has controlled Covid-19 pandemic and eased social distancing rules. Although there are still difficulties, but according to Phan Le Diem Trang, Vice-Chairwoman of provincial Textile and Garment Association, enterprises are trying to secure orders, create jobs and income for workers. As a result, in October, the province's textile and garment export turnover was estimated at US$152 million, up 241.4 % over the previous month. The figure over the past 10 months was estimated at more than US$ 2 billion, up 1.4% over the same period or 7% of the province's total export turnover. This result shows the outstanding efforts by enterprises in the industry and their adaptability to fulfill orders and maintain the market.
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Production at Esquel Garment Manufacturing Vietnam Company in the VSIP I in Thuan An city
Province-based textile-garment enterprises are also working with departments and sectors, contacting localities to welcome workers back to factories to work under the province's policy. More fortunately, there are large-scale enterprises with the fluctuation of labor force that is only about 10%. Nguyen Van Luong, General Director of Esquel Garment Manufacturing Vietnam Company in the VSIP I in Thuan An city said that since the outbreak of Covid-19 pandemic, the company has regularly paid attention to the company while informing workers of its plan on production recovery in the near future so that they can feel secure. The company has coordinated wit relevant units to pay the Government and the province’s welfare packages for workers. The number of workers returning to their home towns is very small at less than 5%, which does not have a great impact on production activities. For workers coming back to work with peace of mind, the company has transformed from the “3 on-site” model to the "3 green" one. All company workers have had jobs and income.
It is forecasted that enterprises in this industry will speed up production to meet orders that will be more from now to year end. In fact, some enterprises have considered overtime plans at their orders. Mr. Luong added: “During the social distancing period, the company has transferred a part of its orders to regional partners outside the hot spots of the pandemic for production, aiming to ensure its delivery schedule. Currently, the company is accelerating to fulfill its orders…”.
Solving difficulties
The Covid-19 pandemic is considered as a "test" for the business community. In fact, many enterprises have shown their resilience, overcoming difficulties. Despite having positive signs, textile and garment enterprises have still faced many difficulties, in which the lack of capital is a prominent problem. This problem is for both domestic and FDI enterprises. Sharing about this, Mrs. Trang said that along with the shortage of labor force, enterprises have also faced the lack of capital. They have responded these obstacles by accepting fluctuations to screen and shape an appropriate workforce; improved management and technology to enhance productivity, create a good working environment to retain workers.
According to leaders of Panko Vina Company in the My Phuoc Industrial Park, enterprises must switch from plan-based management to state-based management with the highest priority being to comply with the direction of the government and their existence. Accordingly, the company has regularly updated its change in supply capacity with customers; tried its best to minimize the damage to participating supply chains as well as direct partners.
Nguyen Truong Thi, Deputy Director of provincial Department of Industry and Trade said that after the Covid-19 pandemic is under control, enterprises have faced many difficulties on capital, consumption market, materials... However, enterprises are still trying to resume production activities to recover the economy by changing working methods flexibly, adapting to current conditions to ensure requirements of Covid-19 prevention and control while maintaining production, business activities and creating jobs for employees. This is a great effort by the business community. The industry and trade industry has also proposed difficulties of associations and industries to relevant industries and units for timely support.
Phan Le Diem Trang, Vice-President of provincial Textile and Apparel Association: Despite having positive signs, textile and garment enterprises have still faced many difficulties, in which the lack of capital is a prominent problem. This problem is for both domestic and FDI enterprises. They have responded these obstacles by accepting fluctuations to screen and shape an appropriate workforce; improved management and technology to enhance productivity, create a good working environment to retain workers.
Reported by Tieu My-Translated by Kim Tin
