In response to rules seen as draconian by employees, workers at Vina Duke Company in HCM City have gone on strike.
Staff members at the company are allowed 150 minutes per month bathroom time, with any extra time used in the toilet being deducted from their salaries. This, among other strict rules enforced by the company, has caused a backlash from their workers, who went on strike en mass in the past week. The striking workers reached numbers of nearly 4,000.
Representatives for the employees said that, since September, the company suddenly reduce the pay for piece-work by VND200 per unit without any explanation, without raising the base salary.
The company also put into place other strict regulations including the time limits on bathroom breaks. Employees say that the restrooms are located far away from work stations, which makes it difficult for them to fulfill the requirements. Salary deductions for violating the company policy amount to VND450,000.
Workers are also forced to pay for company meals, which they say is of very poor quality.
Initially, when the protest began, there was no negotiation from management. The only communication from the board of directors has been signboards pasted on the gates demanding that employees resume work immediately, and without pay for the days they have been absent. However, on October 21, a company representative was sent to arbitrate.
Since then, representatives from the Trade Union of Hooc Mon District have said that the company has given signals they may be willing to reduce the price of meals and build more convenient restrooms.
The Trade Union of Hooc Mon District said that following the workers’ strong reaction, director of the company said the meal price will be adjusted and new rest-rooms will be built.
Demands for a raise in pay, however, seem to have fallen on deaf ears. The company has said that any salary increases would have to be prompted by new government regulations on minimum wage.
Đăng ký: VietNam News
