Pouchen Company: building the paradigm of worker’s family serving in non-state-owned sectors

In this respect, the globalization is taking place as an obvious tendency. In addition to some positive impacts, there still exist many adverse effects caused by the market-oriented economy. Cultural family foundation has been critically changed by these impacts. In view of this reality, the Presidium of Vietnam Labor General Federation appoints Dong Nai as a pilot “Worker’s family grows firm and sustainable in non-state-owned sectors” and Pouchen Co. has been selected to build this paradigm.

Pouchen Co. is a foreign-invested business specialized in sport shoes for export. The company is currently hiring 21.729 employees, including 19.603 female employees, accounting for 90.2% and there are more than 800 married workers. The company’s club of “Worker’s family in non-state-owned sector grows firm and sustainable” established in May 2007 with the initial participation of 300 people, which is mainly joined by married and child-bearing workers.

Raising worker’s awareness and knowledge has been taken into account by the company’s Executive Committee of Trade Union. As the educational background varies due to single worker, the propaganda program should be more realistic, understandable and appropriate for each worker’s capability. Based on the production status, the company has planned various propaganda forms such as popularizing state guidelines and resolutions involving population issue, family planning, laws on child care, protection and education, sex knowledge, child birth health care,... illustrated by discussions, knowledge contests, fun riddles with awards, comedies and music performance,... Besides, the participation of reproductive health experts and nutritionists has made all activities of the club become more thrilling and diverse. In addition to subject talks, the executive committee of trade union in the company has also arranged the propaganda program in the form of tests with reference to all norms and standards for a firm and sustainable family growth. Right at production area, during the interval for new work assignment, the Trade Union spends few minutes rapidly providing basic knowledge related to health care and family planning for workers via test questions available to them in printing documents. From these activities, there are only 250 attenders for the first time and the figure of 400 attenders has been increased as recorded till now.

By attending these activities, worker’s consciousness has been more and more elevated. Most of club member have got better understanding of family, family’s norms and criteria to suit the prosperity, equality, advancement and happiness,...

The paradigm of “The family of workers serving in non-state-owned sectors” is a helpful model that should be widely multiplied, especially in Dong Nai, a province that is drawing many laborers working at industrial parks and non-state-owned enterprises. However, worker’s life has to face many difficulties such as low salary, accommodations in rent houses,... and many immigrating residents’ children that get less access to being fully-educated. Building the paradigm of “the family of workers serving in non-state-owned sectors” should take more consideration in combination with those factors that help workers improve physical and material living condition.      

(Translated by THKC)