Bus trips of affection

Tet Holiday 2015 is drawing near as immigrant workers in harsh circumstances are being supported by provincial enterprises in terms of bus trips taking them home for Tet. The trips of affection are the care of enterprises preserved for their working staffs, full of encouragement of commitment to development cause of the enterprises and the province in general.

Counting down by days

Tet is coming and immigrant workers are counting down by days to be able to return home for family reunion. Not everyone is able to do so as earnings is of much thought. Residing in Thai Nguyen, Ms. Dang Thi Hanh went to Binh Duong Province and worked for Yazaki EDS Vietnam Corporation in Di An Town. After nearly a year of wirking, she has saved up a few money amounts to help her parents and schooling siblings. Upon consideration of her circumstances, the corporation’s labor union offered her free trip home for Tet.

Workers express their happiness when getting on a bus to return home for Tet Holiday 2014. Photo: Tuong Vy

“As the corporation offers me bus fare home for Tet, I am so happy. Far far away, I am yearning to be back to enjoy Tet holiday with my parents and relatives. That wish has come true. The amount saved up for the bus fare shall be used for buying more clothes and confectionary gifts for my parents and kins,” said Hanh.

The joy of bus fare support has finally come to the couple of Mr. Nguyen Thanh Nhon and Mrs. Le Ha Ngoc, workers of Right Rich Vietnam in Ben Cat Town. Originating from Ninh Binh, they have been working in Binh Duong Province for 6 years with additional fruit ship in the evening to remit money back home for two children at school. In previous years, the couple rotate their turns of getting home from Binh Duong Province during Tet. In recent 2 years, they have been offered free bus trips home under the sponsorship of Binh Duong Provincial Labor Union. The short days home, they would compensate for their children to encourage them with more learning efforts.

“Thanks to local support, we, the immigrant workers shall consider Binh Duong Province as our second home for settlement and working,” said Nguyen Thanh Nhon.

Picking up and sending off to the places

Price hike and passenger overload have always been nightmare during Tet to immigrant workers who are so eager getting home. In the face of such worrisome, local enterprises have helped to take them home safely. Binh Duong Textile One-Member Co. Ltd. in Thuan An Town has been a model of offering free bus trips for their workers during Tet. For Tet Holiday 2015, early lunar December 24, the company shall take their immigrant workers home in provinces of Mekong Delta, Highland, and the North. And, by lunar January 6, the company shall offer return trips to take them back to Binh Duong Province after Tet for new year production (from and on lunar January 9). Mr. Nguyen Hong Anh, HR & Admin Manager of the company said: “Every year, we have a traditional holiday, Tet, when everyone wants to reunion with their families. Those who are so far away from home, it would be very challenging for them as the vehicle fare hike. To mitigate their hardship, we plan bus trips for them to get home. By the practical action, for years, we have maintained stable labor resources.”

Labor Union of Yazaki EDS Vietnam in Di An Town has also announced plan for Tet leave and bus trips for immigrant workers to get home for Tet. According to Pham Thi Tuyet Nhung, Labor Union Chair of Yazaki EDS Vietnam, the activity was for the fifth year fo the Company. This year, the worker population is larger requiring more efforts to be made. During Tet Holiday 2015, those workers of more than 6 months working for the company would benefit with free bus trips home starting on February 14 (the lunar December 26).

Bus fare supported

For the upcoming Tet Holiday 2015, labor unions of some companies, due to lack of funding, have supported their workers with low price bus tickets. Kinh Maker Shoes Company in VSIP II has established such team for bus fare registration. The 2-year-old team has helped 200 immigrant workers buy bus fares at lower price for Tet. Mr. Le Nguyen Kha, Chair of the Company labor union informed that the union has to cooperated with passenger transporters to reduce the fare price. And, by the beginning of December, the Company labor union leaders have notified of selectable price lists. Any worker can register for ticket booking. For group booking, they are offered 10% discount.

In recent years, Sung Shin Vina Co. Ltd. in Ben Cat Town has been evaluated as one of the enterprises of best support for its workers. The labor union acts to gather and encourage them to fulfill working role. By cooperation with passenger transporters, the Company’s workers are now accessible to discounts of 60% and the remaining 40% shall be counted to salary in 3 months.

Reported by Do Tuan – Thien Ly – Translated by Vi Bao