In the January-August period of 2011, the number of strikes in HCM City rose four times over the same period of 2010. The reason, according to the National Assembly, is employers paying too low salary.

On August 30, the National Assembly’s working group on social affairs met with HCM City’s officials to discuss the amendment to the Labor Code. At the meeting, HCM City’s officials said that strike is now a big problem in the city. 

A representative of the local Department of Labor, War Invalids and Social Affairs, said that in the first half of 2011, nearly 180 strikes occurred in the city, with nearly 100,000 participants. The figure is four times more than the corresponding period of last year (40 strikes, nearly 21,000 participants). The Department inspected the implementation of the Labor Code at 968 companies and fined employers VND2.75 billion ($55,000).

The HCM City Export Processing and Industrial Zone Management Board, said that over 70 strikes were recorded in the city’s industrial zones and export processing zones so far this year, seven fold over the same period of last year. Strikes originated from low wages. Workers went on strike to ask for pay rise, more allowances and better meals.

An official said that strikes were mainly kicked off by a group of workers at the beginning. “If strikes took place peacefully, this year they have become more complicated,” he said.

HCM City’s officials said that most companies in HCM City violate regulations on working overtime. The law stipulates that the maximal overtime is up to 200 hours a year, but many workers have to work overtime of over 300 hours a year.

Nguyen Thi Dan, chief of the HCM City Department of Labor, War Invalids and Social Affairs, said that the current sanctions are not strong enough to prevent employers from breaking the law.

“I visited some industrial and export processing zones and saw many skinny workers. That is the consequence of overtime working while the living standards are not improved. Many workers do not want to work overtime but their employers force them to do overtime,” Dan said.

The city also has more than 2,100 foreign workers, 90 percent having work permits.

HCM City’s deputies proposed to maintain the annual overtime of 200 hours, and to increase minimum salary and to add basic principles on labor disputes and strikes to the Labor Code, and to increase maternity leave from four to six months.

Source: VNN