The Vietnam General Confederation of Labour and the CARE International organisation have surveyed the gender equality situation at businesses in economic zones of Tay Ninh, a province in the southern key economic region.

The survey aimed to improve workers’ awareness of gender equality. It was also part of activities to prepare for the amendment of the 2012 Labour Code so that legal regulations could better ensure equal pay, equal job opportunities, equal sharing of family responsibilities, and prevention of sexual harassment at the workplace.

Representatives of the Vietnam General Confederation of Labour visit the workplace at the factory of the First Team Vietnam Garment Co. Ltd in Tay Ninh province.

According to Wong Ting Chun, Chairman of the First Team Vietnam Garment Co. Ltd in Thanh Thanh Cong Industrial Park in Trang Bang district, his business is employing about 8,000 workers, over 80% of whom are women with an average income of VND7 – VND9 million (US$300 – US$390) per month. The female workers’ average monthly income is about VND1 million higher than their male colleagues’ since they are in charge of the steps that need more skills.

He said the draft revisions on priorities for female workers, especially those with small children, to the Labour Code are reasonable. Although these regulations haven’t been enforced, his company has applied appropriate support policies for pregnant women and those with small children.

A 19-year-old worker at the company said she has received good treatment since she began working in the company in 2016. She added workers should be allowed to decide on their overtime hours, depending on their family and health condition, because overtime pay is necessary for them to better support their lives.

During the fact-finding tour on December 29, Vice President of the general confederation Ngo Duy Hieu said ensuring workplace gender equality is one of the important solutions to protect labourers’ rights and legitimate interests.

He noted female workers need to know regulations on the retirement age, prevention of workplace sexual harassment, equality of job opportunities, and equal pay for equal work between men and women, so that they can protect their rights and interests.

Female workers in the garment and textile industry are facing many issues at their workplace, including sexual harrassment.

Research by CARE and other organisations and law firms show that sexual harassment in the workplace does exist and negatively affects workers’ mental health and income, which in turn damages employers’ productivity and profits as their employees have to take longer leaves or quit jobs. Even harassed employees who choose to keep silence and continue working are able to put full effort into their works.

A research by CARE in Cambodia revealed that sexual harassment cost the country’s garment industry 89 million USD, or an equivalent of 0.52% of Cambodia’s GDP in 2015. In Vietnam, the International Labour Organisation disclosed that garment factories with less violence and harassment tend to earn higher profits than those with more./.

( VNF )