The need to improve living conditions of workers in industrial zones has posed a big challenge for policy makers and enterprises in Vietnam.
Research conducted by the Japanese Business Association in HCM City revealed at an Oct. 19 workshop showed that most enterprises in industrial zones have faced human resources problems.
At an enterprise with 3,300 workers in Bien Hoa area, southern Dong Nai province, up to 10 percent of workers are leaving their jobs each month because the cost of sending children to kindergarten in the area is too high. While housing expenses account for 20 percent of a worker's income, kindergarten fees have become a bigger burden, reaching up to 40 percent.
Other enterprises in the area have also experienced similar problems, with a lack of family houses and other social utilities for workers, including maternity and paediatric services for women.
A recent survey of the living environments in Vietnam 's industrial zones conducted by the Japan International Cooperation Agency showed that the quality and quantity of people who want to work in industrial areas have decreased. While many people do not want work in the industrial areas to start with, many more do not return after going on holiday, especially after the traditional Tet holiday.
Many workers simply think that a job in an industrial zone is just a temporary job before they return to their native land, said Nguyen Duc Loc from the HCM City University of Social Sciences and Humanities.
The living conditions in industrial zones indicate the unstableness of human resources in those areas, said Loc.
"Workers need a living space rather than a place for living', said Loc, adding workers only commit to work long-term in industrial zones when they are provided with a house to live in.
According to the Ministry of Planning and Investment, about 1.5 million workers are currently employed in Vietnam 's industrial and processing zones. However, their living condition in terms of housing, markets, schools, medical units and culture is not up to scratch.
During the workshop, participants agreed that workers need not only housing but also social and urban infrastructure which need the participation of the government, economic partners and especially the enterprises to resolve.
At the event, representatives from Japanese enterprises said that they need local workers who live near their places of work. A good living environment should be provided in order to increase the number of workers who are willing to settle in the vicinity.
Obstetrics and paediatric facilities along with kindergartens should be provided for those who wish to start families in the area.
"We expect that policies will be developed to improve living environments in line with demand and encourage the process of settlement in the area," said Toshio Kazama from the Japanese Business Association in Vietnam./.
Research conducted by the Japanese Business Association in HCM City revealed at an Oct. 19 workshop showed that most enterprises in industrial zones have faced human resources problems.
At an enterprise with 3,300 workers in Bien Hoa area, southern Dong Nai province, up to 10 percent of workers are leaving their jobs each month because the cost of sending children to kindergarten in the area is too high. While housing expenses account for 20 percent of a worker's income, kindergarten fees have become a bigger burden, reaching up to 40 percent.
Other enterprises in the area have also experienced similar problems, with a lack of family houses and other social utilities for workers, including maternity and paediatric services for women.
A recent survey of the living environments in Vietnam 's industrial zones conducted by the Japan International Cooperation Agency showed that the quality and quantity of people who want to work in industrial areas have decreased. While many people do not want work in the industrial areas to start with, many more do not return after going on holiday, especially after the traditional Tet holiday.
Many workers simply think that a job in an industrial zone is just a temporary job before they return to their native land, said Nguyen Duc Loc from the HCM City University of Social Sciences and Humanities.
The living conditions in industrial zones indicate the unstableness of human resources in those areas, said Loc.
"Workers need a living space rather than a place for living', said Loc, adding workers only commit to work long-term in industrial zones when they are provided with a house to live in.
According to the Ministry of Planning and Investment, about 1.5 million workers are currently employed in Vietnam 's industrial and processing zones. However, their living condition in terms of housing, markets, schools, medical units and culture is not up to scratch.
During the workshop, participants agreed that workers need not only housing but also social and urban infrastructure which need the participation of the government, economic partners and especially the enterprises to resolve.
At the event, representatives from Japanese enterprises said that they need local workers who live near their places of work. A good living environment should be provided in order to increase the number of workers who are willing to settle in the vicinity.
Obstetrics and paediatric facilities along with kindergartens should be provided for those who wish to start families in the area.
"We expect that policies will be developed to improve living environments in line with demand and encourage the process of settlement in the area," said Toshio Kazama from the Japanese Business Association in Vietnam./.
