PM talks with workers at IZs in Red River Delta

Prime Minister Nguyen Xuan Phuc at the dialogue

He said the activity needs to be made regular to promptly deal with workers’ concerns following two similar dialogues in the southeastern and central regions. 

In response to a question about housing and preschools for children of workers in industrial and processing zones, Chairman of the Ha Noi City People’s Committee Nguyen Duc Chung said the city built a kindergarten in Bac Thang Long industrial park and assigned the outlying district of Dong Anh to build additional two preschools in the park. In August, apartments in the park will be sold at VND200 – 400 million each. The Ha Noi Transport & Services Corporation was also asked to increase bus services to and from the park. 

The government leader requested building standard kindergartens for workers with the involvement of the private sector and directed Ha Noi and other localities earmark land for building accommodation for workers. 

About health care for workers, the PM urged the Health Ministry to work with departments and localities to improve workers’ health, firstly by establishing a network of hospitals and medical stations near industrial zones. Businesses must pay attention to improving working conditions, offer regular health check-ups and lunches to workers, he said. 

On salary, he said under the Resolution on salary reform adopted by the seventh plenum of the Party Central Committee, the State regulates the minimum salary level to protect workers, based on which enterprises will negotiate with workers to ensure that it matches their work efficiency. 

For pension for female workers who retire from January 1, 2018, the Ministry of Labour, Invalids and Social Affairs was required to submit a plan to the government that ensures they will not be put at a disadvantage. 

Early retirement and special pension for workers in hazardous fields need to be taken into consideration when amending the Law on Social Security, he said. 

President of the Viet Nam General Confederation of Labour (VGCL) Bui Van Cuong said following the PM’s dialogue with workers in southern economic zones in 2016, a number of firms and localities expressed readiness to partner with the government and trade unions to offer welfare to trade unionists and workers. 

The VGCL signed agreements with 18 corporations to bring products and services to workers with 5-25 percent discount. Its chapters also reached 1,139 deals with firms and partners to benefit 1.7 million trade unionists with products and services at preferential prices of over VND526 billion. 

In 2017-2017, VGCL chapters held more than 11,700 meetings with local administrations, employers and workers to listen to their feedback and answer questions.

On the occasion, the PM visited an exhibition of products made by firms in the Red River Delta, presented 65 scholarships to workers, an aid to build 18 houses for poor workers, and a set of computer to worker Vu Xuan Dat from the northern province of Hai Duong.-VNA