Situation settles down following Vietnamese worker abuse in Algeria

Vietnamese workers in Algeria have settled down and have returned to work in the wake of a Chinese company’s abuse of two labourers, Vietnamese Ambassador Vu The Hiep said.

On September 16 – 17, two Vietnamese nationals – Dau Hoang Anh and Dao Ngoc Cuong – were beaten by Chinese workers at the order of the Chinese employer – the Dongyi Jiangsu Co. Ltd - in Khenchela city, over 460km to the southeast of Algiers capital city. The employer also stopped providing meals for Vietnamese workers.

Ambassador Hiep told Vietnam News Agency correspondents on October 7 that the abused workers, who sustained serious injuries, will be repatriated as soon as possible in accordance with their wish.

The embassy and Simco Song Da, the Vietnamese company that sent the workers to Algeria, are working with Dongyi Jiangsu to ensure legitimate rights and interests for remaining Vietnamese workers at the site.

At a working session among representatives of the Embassy, Simco Song Da and Dongyi Jiangsu, the Vietnamese side requested the Chinese company make written commitments to not threatening or using force against, giving equal and fair treatment to, and ensuring security, life safety and legitimate rights of Vietnamese workers.

The three sides also agreed to re-negotiate an acceptable work quota and discussed the possibility of sending the Vietnamese labourers to another working site, the diplomat said.

The Dongyi Jiangsu representative also confirmed the abuse and was sorry for the unwanted incident, which he said happened for the first time, adding that it was triggered by many reasons, including the language barrier.

The Chinese firm promised to ensure absolute safety for Dau Hoang Anh and Dao Ngoc Cuong at the company’s headquarters while waiting for their return to Vietnam, while affirming that the company does not want to suspend labour contracts with the Vietnamese workers, as it will affect construction pace and cause economic losses to the company.

A representative from Simco Song Da said the company has protested to the Chinese partner over the suspension of meal supply to Vietnamese workers at Khenchela, adding that the company will ensure food for the workers if the situation continues.

Meanwhile, the two abuse victims expressed their wish to return to Vietnam to receive medical treatment and unite with their families.

Ambassador Hiep said shortly after the incident, the embassy’s staff members visited the site to inquire into the case and since then have maintained contacts around the clock with involved Vietnamese workers.

The embassy also sent a diplomatic note to the Chinese Embassy in Algeria, requesting intervention to stop Dongyi Jiangsu’s violent actions against Vietnamese labourers.

Sending Vietnamese nationals to work abroad is the State’s major policy, and working and salary conditions in Algeria are in fact relatively good, Ambassador Hiep said, noting that as Vietnamese workers are employed by third parties, which is a Chinese company in this case, there are certain shortcomings in safeguarding their legitimate rights, including security and life safety.

The embassy has informed Vietnam’s authorised agencies and worker recruitment companies on these problems to devise solutions, Hiep added.-VNA