Enterprises strive to maintain jobs for workers

​(News Portal – Dong Nai) - According to businesses in the province, new orders have now returned, although small and not even in their main production catalogues, but with these orders workers can maintain their jobs. Thanks to that, workers still have income to cover their living expenses far away from home. 

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Workers in the province are assured of production when orders return 

The search for new orders

Since the beginning of the year, production has been quite difficult for many businesses, especially those in the textile, footwear, leather and wood industries due to lack of orders, forcing employees to take turns taking time off work to wait for the company to receive new orders. Some enterprises in the locality have terminated labor contracts with employees, but not as "massively" compared to other provinces and cities so as not to affect the working psychology of workers. Up to this point, businesses are trying to retain workers, waiting for production to recover, even having to accept many unprofitable orders to create jobs for workers.

Son Ha Co., Ltd. specializes in export garments, located in Bien Hoa City. This year, orders decreased by up to 40% compared to last year, but from now until March 2024, orders has returned, even though the profit is small. This is also a company that has not cut any workers to this point.

Mr. Nguyen Hoai Thanh, Chairman of the company's Trade Union, said that this year the economic situation was terrible, businesses have to accept orders that are out of their normal production lists or their specialties to keep workers employed. Although these orders do not generate high profits, businesses still accept them with the determination to create stable jobs for workers. In addition, businesses strive to maintain adequate benefits and policies, creating motivation for workers to feel at ease.

Like many wood production businesses in the province, the number of new orders decreased quite sharply at Chien Vietnam Furniture Mfg. Co., Ltd (Tam Phuoc Industrial Park, Bien Hoa City) forcing employees to work fewer hours and earn lower wages. But since October 2023, the business has signed a number of orders from new partners and employees have returned to work. Although the order is small, this is a good sign for the business after nearly a year of facing many challenges.

Ms. Dao Thi Lan, a company worker, shared: "I'm very happy because as near the Lunar New Year, the work flow is stable again. I don't have to take breaks like before and my income will be more stable. Most workers are very excited and go to work at 100% number. Previously, the business provided very thoughtful support and did not reduce labor, even though there were no orders; especially when workers do not have a job, the company still support them with money for their daily lives.”

Meanwhile at other businesses, in order to retain employees, businesses choose to find small orders that are not their production strength to maintain jobs for employees. According to Ms. Do Thi Thuy Duong, Chairman of the Trade Union of Fashion Garment Co., Ltd. (Bien Hoa Industrial Park 2), the business has prospered with a number of orders in the fourth quarter and is forecast to last until the second quarter of next year. The company will try to find new orders so that workers' income will not be affected. There are currently not many orders but it has shown signs of improvement in employment for workers at the end of the year.

Maintaining jobs for workers

At a survey on the employment situation, life, and income of the Institute Of Workers And Trade Union (General Union Of Vietnam Labor Union) among workers at businesses and boarding houses in Dong Nai area recently, many workers said that right now they just want to have a stable job and don't think about withdrawing social insurance at once. According to many workers, having a job and monthly income in the last months of the year is what they most desire, because when the income is steady, workers will have money to return home to celebrate Tet, feed their children, and pay for living expenses while living far from home.

Ms. Nguyen Thi Kim Duyen, a worker at Son Ha Co., Ltd., said that most workers today wanted to have a regular job rather than withdrawing social insurance to cover their immediate lives, because that is “life saving” for when they retire. “I am very grateful to the company for always thinking about employees and creating stable jobs, because in reality, people who are unemployed face many challenges. Hopefully in 2024, the situation will improve and orders will be abundant for workers to improve their lives" - Ms. Duyen confided.

Clearly, despite facing many challenges, up to this point, businesses in Dong Nai province are still trying to find orders to retain human resources. This is also a way for businesses to avoid falling into the situation of re-recruiting workers when orders return and production recovers. Sharing difficulties with businesses, most employees work with a burning heart and strictly comply with regulations at the company. Many workers said that despite reducing their jobs and income, they still pay social insurance to enjoy necessary benefits, especially when sick. In addition, welfare policies are still guaranteed and have not been cut.

At Tessellation Dong Nai Company Limited (Trang Dai Ward, Bien Hoa City), workers feel cared in their work thanks to the consideration from the business. In addition to focusing on finding orders and stabilizing production for workers, this enterprise prioritizes culture and working environment, creating a harmonious and cohesive relationship between enterprises and employees. In addition, the company also implements policies and benefits that have been agreed upon.

The return of orders at the end of the year has created motivation for businesses and employees to continue overcoming challenges and boosting production. Currently, to maintain production and aim for sustainable development, businesses focus on three core issues: finding solutions to retain employees; temporarily accept small orders that are not our strength or even unprofitable to keep jobs for employees and exploit new markets, minimizing costs that are not really necessary. At the same time, create a comfortable and friendly working environment so that employees can feel secure in production and stay with businesses to overcome current challenges. ​​