Benefits of Trade Union supermarkets

The situation of the Covid-19 epidemic is still complicated and dangerous, making the workers' lives difficult. In such context, the Trade Union Supermarket model in enterprises, which has been implemented by grassroots trade unions for a long time, is now promptly shared with employees; and, at the same time, contributing to the prevention and control of Covid-19 epidemic among workers.

To facilitate shopping among workers

The trade union supermarket of Esquel Garment Manufacturing Vietnam Co. Ltd. at Vietnam Industrial Park - Singapore 1 has always attracted a large number of workers after working hours to shop. The supermarket is open twice a day in the off-shift hours (from 14:00 to 15:00 and from 17:00 to 18:00); the sales staffs are grassroots trade union officials. After the shift at 14:00 o'clock, Ms. Le Thi Ly, an employee of Esquel Garment Manufacturing Vietnam Co., Ltd., stopped by the union supermarket to buy some essential household items. From the day the supermarket opened in the company, Ms. Ly and many colleagues were very excited when it only took a few dozen minutes to buy the essential items. It is worth noting that supermarkets sell quality products at prices of VND 5,000 -10,000 cheaper than traditional markets. “For the workers who work far away from home, life has many things to spend while everyone only depends on the monthly salary, so being able to buy cheap and quality goods has helped us a lot, especially, during a prolonged epidemic, leading to difficult jobs and reduced income. Being able to buy products at the company's trade union supermarket has a clear origin and saves money, so everyone is happy," said Ms. Ly.

Workers are buying goods at Trade Union Supermarket of Thai Binh Investment JSC

At Thai Binh Investment Joint Stock Company in Di An city, a trade union supermarket was also formed with the goal of sharing difficulties with union members and employees. Ms. Nguyen Thi Hoa, an employee of the company, said that she is very satisfied when shopping at the site because the food is always fresh and the price is reasonable with her income. The supermarket is in the company, so it is very convenient, especially in the complicated situation of the epidemic where there have been infections in some markets. “Taking advantage of the temporary suspension of some wholesale markets and temporary markets to fight the Covid-19 epidemic, some small traders have increased the prices of essential goods, vegetables and fruits. Thanks to the union supermarket, workers are more secure and can buy cheap goods with quality assurance. This is a practical way of supporting from businesses and grassroots unions to reduce pressure on workers during this difficult time,” said Ms. Hoa.

Mr. Tran Cong Chanh, Deputy Chairman of grassroots trade union of Thai Binh Investment Joint Stock Company, said that all goods sold at union supermarkets have a stable supply of necessities such as rice, instant noodles, eggs, ducks, beef, pork, and vegetables all sell at original price without interest. At the same time, the supermarket always ensures the quality of fresh and delicious food with clear origin from well-known and reputable partners in the market. In particular, before the current epidemic situation, when entering the supermarket to buy goods, workers are required to keep a safe distance, not to gather in large numbers at the same time.

A contribution to Covid-19 prevention and control with enterprises

In order to create favorable conditions for workers to stabilize their lives and work with peace of mind, especially in the complicated and unpredictable situation of the Covid-19 epidemic when there are many infections in the community, the Board of Directors of Sao Viet Joint Stock Company at Dong An 1 Industrial Park in Thuan An city has created favorable conditions for the grassroots trade union to expand the supermarket to serve the shopping needs of more than 4,000 workers. Mr. Nguyen Binh Yen, Chairman of the grassroots union of Sao Viet Joint Stock Company, said that the supermarket sells more than 500 essential items with prices down by 10% to 30% compared to the market. In addition to going directly to the supermarket to buy goods, workers can make a list of goods to buy and send to the person in charge of the supermarket to prepare; after working shift, they can receive the goods immediately.

Also operating for many years, the trade union supermarket of Pung Kook Saigon 2 Co. Ltd. and Pung Kook Saigon 3 Factory in Thuan An city aims to support union members and employees to buy cheap original goods at stabilized prices. Mr. Le Van Toai, Chairman of the grassroots trade union of Pung Kook Saigon 3 Factory, said that the Board of Directors supports the premises, while the grassroots union is responsible for organizing supermarket activities. Goods at the supermarket include necessities for daily living needs such as rice, cooking oil, ketchup, fish sauce, salt, shampoo, washing powder, rice and a number of items for other daily living needs. In particular, workers who want to buy any products before the working shift just need to write in the order form and send it to the supermarket, the grassroots union officials receive the vouchers and prepare the goods so that when the shift is over, the workers can visit and pay. This helps workers not spend much time shopping and also ensures Covid-19 prevention and control in the current situation.

Ms. Nguyen Hoang Bao Tran, Deputy Chairwoman of the provincial Trade Union, said that trade union supermarkets in enterprises have brought many benefits to union members and employees, especially during the time of complicated and unpredictable epidemic developments as it is today. Coming to the supermarket, workers can be assured of the quality of goods because there is a guarantee of the business owner, the grassroots union and the suppliers. The prices of the items for sale are also cheaper than the markets and in line with the income of the workers. At the same time, the shopping model contributes to the prevention and control of the Covid-19 epidemic in the enterprises.

Reported by Do Trong – Translated by Vi Bao