Workers eagerly return to work in Binh Duong

Update: 16-02-2024 | 11:07:28

On the morning of February 15 (the 6th day of the Lunar New Year), firms in Binh Duong province began production. Many workers coming to the factory were keen to receive lucky money and New Year wishes from business managers. On the roads leading to industrial parks, workers who had returned home for Tet celebration in Western provinces, Central Highlands, Binh Phuoc etc. and then traveled by motorbike back to Binh Duong to start work.

Workers from the Western provinces return to Binh Duong to start work in the first days of the new year.

Continue to stay in their jobs

Nguyen Si Vinh, a worker at Kim Xuong Vietnam Shoe Company (Thu Dau Mot City), was supported by the Provincial Labor Federation with a spring train ticket to return to his hometown Ha Tinh to reunite with his family during the Lunar New Year 2024, and quickly returned to work on time on the morning of February 15. Vinh said that it has been three years since his small family had a true Tet holiday, fully enjoyed a traditional Tet with family.

“Tet in my hometown is so happy, it's hard to say it all in words. However, most of my time was spent with my parents, because in recent years I haven't been able to celebrate Tet with my family. As promised before returning home, when supported by trade unions at all levels to return home to celebrate Tet, I must be responsible to the business and to Binh Duong. Therefore, on the morning of the 4th day of Tet, my family got on the train to back at work on time. In the new year, I hope my work is smooth and stable. Wishing all union members good health and happiness."

Most firms in the province chose February 15 (the 6th day of the Lunar New Year) to resume production. However, from February 13, many workers in the Western provinces, Central Highlands and neighboring provinces, such as Binh Phuoc and Tay Ninh, had rode motorbikes back to Binh Duong to prepare for work at the beginning of the year. On the evening of February 14, tens of thousands of people traveled by motorbike from Western provinces across Phu Cuong bridge (Thu Dau Mot city) to go to Ben Cat and Tan Uyen industrial parks.

Regarding labor recruitment needs in 2024, according to forecasts, there would be about 8,000 firms in the province having recruitment demand of about 60,000 workers. In the days approaching the Lunar New Year 2024, many companies came to Provincial Employment Service Center to recruit workers to prepare for production after the Tet holiday. Some businesses recruit large numbers of workers, from 200 - 500 workers. Some recruited sectors are processing and manufacturing; food and beverage; textile; shoe leather; printing; production, repair and installation of industrial machinery and equipment; electronic; products from wood, bamboo, chemicals, plastic...

Nguyen Van Cuong, a worker at Tan Nhat Wood Company (Tan Uyen City), shared: “Before Tet holiday, trade unions at all levels announced support of free bus tickets for who needed to return home for Tet reunion. However, my family chose to ride a motorbike, because it is not too far from Binh Duong to Tien Giang, so traveling by motorbike is very convenient. Traveling at night is very cool and does not affect my children's health. There are no many jobs to do in my hometown. Furthermore, I've been with my company for more than 10 years so I'm used to it. In my opinion, during this period, keeping our job is good, so most workers like us will continue to stay in our jobs after Tet."

Hope for a good year

On the morning of February 15, many firms in the province began to operate again after the Tet holiday. At Dai Dang Industrial Park (Thu Dau Mot City), Kim Xuong Vietnam Shoe Company, where has more than 3,400 workers, has resumed production. Ly Van Ca, Chairman of Grassroots Trade Union of Kim Xuong Vietnam Shoe Company, said: “Workers at our company started the Tet holiday from lunar December 29th. Employees are very eager on the first day of work after the Tet holiday. Besides, receiving lucky money from the company leadership makes everyone happy. On the first working day, the company had more than 70% of workers returning to work from other provinces."

Chanh Duong Paper Factory Company (Ben Cat Town) gives lucky money to workers on the first working day of the new year.

At VSIP 1 (Thuan An City), dozens of businesses resumed production on the 6th day of the Lunar New Year. Among them, some businesses resumed operations since the 5th day of Tet. Nguyen Duy Phuong, Chairman of Compass 2 Company, said that this year the company resumed production earlier than usual. This shows that businesses are stabilizing orders and continuing to let workers work overtime from the beginning of the year to stabilize their income. On the first working day after Tet, workers of this company who work 8 hours will receive 350,000 VND in lucky money transferred to their account.

“The company currently has more than 700 employees. According to HR department, after the first 2 days of the new year, the number of employees returning to work reached more than 50%. Trade Union also set up groups to communicate during work, holidays, and Tet. Most employees said they would return to work on time, but because the company organized production early this year, many workers from distant provinces are having difficulty getting train or bus tickets, so they will soon return to work in the coming days," Phuong said.

According to provincial Department of Labor, War Invalids and Social Affairs, this year many firms gave their employees an early Tet holiday from February 5 to 15. Besides, there were some businesses that gave their employees a Tet holiday of more than 10 days. Currently, many firms have resumed production after the Tet holiday.

Nguyen Quang Loi, a worker at Loi Hao Vietnam Production - Trading Company (Tan Uyen City): On the first working day (the 6th day of the Lunar New Year), our company had more than 1,000/1,572 workers back at work. Many workers in our group said they have returned to Binh Duong, are resting after a long journey and will be at the company on the morning of the 7th day of Tet. In general, everyone was excited on the first day at work, the company leadership gave a Tet lucky money of 200,000 VND/person, and at the same time informed that factories have many orders. With good news at the beginning of the new year, we expect that in 2024 we would have many advantages at work.

Tran Ngoc Vinh, Chairman of Grassroots Trade Union of Thien Nam Investment and Development Joint Stock Company (Di An City): After more than 20 years of operation, 2023 has been the most difficult year of our company as suffering losses worth hundreds of billions Dong. However, despite many difficulties, the company ensured a Tet bonus of two-month salary for employees, equivalent to 30 million VND/person, instead of a four-month bonus like previous years. Free housing and care for disadvantaged workers continue to be implemented by the grassroots trade union. The view of the Directors Board is that interests must be harmonious and mutually beneficial for the company to develop. When the company has profits, workers must also benefit. The more workers are cared for, the harder they work and contribute. The company expects that 2024 would be favorable in terms of orders, and regimes and incentives for workers will be better.

Doan Van Quyen, Ty Minh Company (Thu Dau Mot City): This year my company has 9 days off for Tet holiday. This is a long enough period of time for workers to return home to reunite with their families. In 2023, I know that many businesses faced difficulties due to lack of orders and sluggish operations. Fortunately, my company has stable jobs, the average income of employees is 12 - 15 million VND/person/month. I realize that if business leaders make efforts to take care of their employees, we themselves must also be responsible for work. Therefore, I soon returned to Binh Duong to recover then focus on the work I have chosen.

Reported by Quang Tam - Translated by Ngoc Huynh

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Workers eagerly return to work in Binh Duong

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