City firms to pay workers Tet bonus despite hardship

Though many Ho Chi Minh City companies have suspended or cut back on production due to the economic downturn, they still plan to pay their workers Tet bonuses.

Though many Ho Chi Minh City companies have suspended or cut back on production due to the economic downturn, they still plan to pay their workers Tet bonuses.

At Phong Phu Textile factory (Photo: SGGP)
At Phong Phu Textile factory (Photo: SGGP)

Apparel and footwear companies plan to pay a bonus of VND900,000 on average.
 
Phong Phu Textile Corporation has promised each worker VND6 million, with Nguyen Thi Lien, chairwoman of its labor union, saying: “The company gave each employee VND7 million in 2008. Though business has been very bad, it is still trying to pay the same amount.”
                        
On average, State-owned companies plan to pay VND3-5 million, foreign firms will pay VND2.5-3 million, and domestic private firms, VND1.2-3 million.
 
Again, there are exceptions -- like Thep Viet Company which plans to pay VND8-25 million and Duc Phat Bakery Company which is considering an amount of VND15 million.
 
The Tan Binh District Labor Union said all enterprises in the district have vowed to pay 50-80 percent of workers’ January salary in advance.
 
All 156 firms in District 1, 57 of 67 firms in Cu Chi District, 151 of 273 firms in District 12, and 136 of 179 units in District 2 are set to pay Tet bonuses.
 
Many gave their workers leave of absence right from December for Tet due to a shortage of orders. Tet is on January 26 this year. But they still paid full salaries plus VND300,000 for transport.
 
Natural Choice Company, a pottery and porcelain producer in Cu Chi District, has not received any orders and so plans to relieve workers on January 17 after paying them December and January salaries plus a month’s bonus.
 
Though Tan Binh Company suffered losses, closing one factory and laying off 636 workers last year, it has promised to pay a month’s basic salary as a year-end bonus.
 
Some companies in Tan Binh District said they would subsidize half or the entire transport costs of their staff. Some have also promised gifts in addition to a Tet bonus.
 
Nguyen Van Xem, deputy chairman of the District 12 Labor Union, said the union would help 500 workers who cannot return home celebrate Lunar New Year in the city. 

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