Nguyen Linh Hoang, 34, works for Nidec Vietnam, a Japanese-funded engine maker, at a high-tech factory in the town of Thu Duc.
He decided to stay behind and work Tetafter spending six Lunar New Year holidays at his home in the central province of Phu Yen.
In January, its factory announced that production would continue throughout Tet. From February 7 to 17, workers will receive 200 to 400 percent more pay if they sign up to work during the holiday. Workers also receive 200,000 VND per day as a bonus during the 10-day period. The Lunar New Year began on Saturday, February 10.
Hoang signed up for six days of work, deciding to spend the other four days taking his wife to his hometown for a visit.
“This year I am going back to work in the company. I will try to find my family next time. Tet,” he said.
Hoang is just one of 1,400 Nidec Vietnam workers who decided to work Tet.
Luu Kim Hong, chairman of the company’s union, said the company’s order numbers remained stable throughout the festival season. The company thus allows workers to work during the long national holiday so that production at full capacity can resume as soon as possible after Tet.
“The company encourages workers to work Tet, and workers can register voluntarily. The number of people working across Tet This represents around 30% of the workforce. Additional salaries and bonuses are guaranteed,” Hong said.
In Binh Duong, bordering HCMC, 16 production factories and several companies have kept more than 6,000 employees working. Tet.
Pham Van Tuyen, vice director of the Binh Duong Department of Labour, Invalids and Social Affairs, said most companies that allow holiday work have 3,000 or more employees and are located in industrial parks. These companies mainly manufacture electrical products and labels, he added.
Some companies have allowed thousands of workers to work Tet, such as Techtronic Industries Vietnam Manufacturing, a company in the Vietnam-Singapore Industrial Park that mainly produces drilling machines, lighting and other equipment. The company has more than 1,000 people working Tet.
Tuyen said businesses in sectors such as general clinics or security services also employ workers during this period. Tet. He estimates the number of workers in this category to be around 3,000.
The Ministry of Labor has asked companies and sectors to provide workers with additional wages and benefits to Tet hours, in accordance with the law.
In HCMC, a Labor Ministry representative said businesses in industrial parks and some service sectors, such as supermarkets, restaurants and hotels, also often see workers working during Tet.
Nguyen Bao Cuong, head of the Labor Ministry’s labor-wage-social security division, said companies also offer Tet activities for workers, such as giving them “lucky money”, in addition to providing them with extra pay.
“Despite the higher costs, companies are willing to pay extra to ensure orders stay on schedule,” Cuong said.
