Labor fluctuation is a great difficulty for the apparel industry, according to apparel companies. In reality, the shortage of manpower is a common concern of many businesses but as an industry using many laborers, apparel businesses are facing the difficulty with a higher pressure. To solve the problem, many businesses seek ways to keep laborers in a bid to ensure production.

 

Labor fluctuation of apparel industry causes difficulties for businesses.

Pressure

Phan Le Diem Trang, general secretary of Binh Duong Apparel Association, director of Int’l Garment Ltd., said “Labor fluctuation is a concern of most apparel businesses. Why? The apparel industry requires many laborers while labor force often changes, triggering a very large pressure for apparel companies”.

In Int’l Garment Ltd., according to Trang, with stable orders, production workshops need about 1,000 workers. However, the company has only 900 workers, so workers must work overtime but pressure on labor shortage still exists. “Shortage of labor force sometimes makes businesses miss business chances and order signings. Winning orders, businesses must calculate the quantity of manpower to ensure delivery on time”, shared Trang.

Meanwhile, Binh Duong Apparel One-member Ltd is in the same situation. Nguyen Hong Anh, human resource director, said on average, labor fluctuation is about 2-3%. As a large company, the fluctuation also creates some difficulties.

Explaining the labor fluctuation, businesses said that income of garment workers is lower than other laborers, so skilled garment workers often seek a job with higher income. This makes a fierce competition between apparel businesses.

Answer from businesses

Many apparel businesses solve this problem by bringing safe feeling for their laborers. Binh Duong Apparel One-member Ltd. has over years paid much attention to laborers’ material and spiritual life for the sake of productive stability. In 2009, the company invested over VND30bil in building free accommodation for workers and offered supports for them on holiday as well as ensured an income of VND2.7-2.8mil per capita per month.

Meanwhile, the Int’l Garment Ltd. has since 2006 opened a kindergarten for its workers’ children. The company monthly spends VND160-180mil for the nursery classes. Besides, the business pays tuition for its workers’ children.

In fact, compared to other businesses, the rate of labor fluctuation at Binh Duong Apparel One-member Ltd. and Int’l Garment Ltd. is at normal level. Meanwhile, other apparel businesses are competing together to lure laborers. According to the general secretary of Binh Duong Apparel Association, to solve labor fluctuation, the best way is to pay attention to laborers’ life.

Reported by T.Son – Translated by A.C