Well implemented labour safety, hygiene and protection standards are not only the rights of employees, but also the responsibilities and interests of employers. Currently, the Vietnam Chamber of Commerce and Industry (VCCI) has actively worked to raise the awareness of employees and employers of this issue.
Over the past time, many enterprises have strived to do well in labour safety, hygiene and protection, contributing to production; for example the Can Tho Germicide Joint Stock Company and the Tuyen Quang Urban Development, Construction and Management Company.
At the Can Tho Germicide Joint Stock Company, labour safety and environmental hygiene rank the top because the production of pesticides is among toxic fields. The company’s leaders said labourers who directly attend the production work for up to six hours per day and are given breakfast and lunch free of charge. Apart from modern equipment, the firm also has a treatment system to ensure the surrounding environment is pure and safe. Protective clothes are always available for workers. Besides the working hours, workers and staff receive care from the firm’s trade union and attend sports activities such as volleyball, football, ping-pong and badminton to maintain physical strength. At least once a year, the firm also organizes beach holidays to help employees restore their health.
The Tuyen Quang Urban Development, Construction and Management Company has also implemented labour safety quite well. The firm’s trade union has played an important role in communicating and calling on employees to strictly follow rules on labour safety and hygiene. The trade union has more than 200 members with 12 different teams for both administrative and production units. The firm’s employees mainly work in the fields of environment protection, construction and urban services. Annually, the trade union in conjunction with the directorate board invites experts from the department of labour, invalids and social affairs to attend training courses on labour safety for its members, particularly skills in using protective equipment; checking and supervising the work at each unit. The firm supplies boots, safety helmets, mufflers, gloves, and reflective clothes for workers. Annually, the trade union signs a deal with the directorate board on implementing labour safety rules, under which 100% of members pledge not to violate the rules. In order to ensure the strict implementation of the commitment, the trade union holds surveillance monthly. Any violator will be rejected from the monthly report.
Nguyen Quang Vinh, vice director of the VCCI’s department for sustainable development, said that well implemented rules on labour safety and protection will help ensure health and raise labourer’s capability. In fact, improving the working environment adds little cost while efficiency remains high. To further raise the awareness and responsibility of each enterprise to the issue, the closer cooperation of authorities is required in checking and supervising the implementation of rules.
Tam Nguyen
Vietnamese
