Hundreds of workers from Phuong Dong Seafood Limited Company in southern Can Tho City have been striking to ask for Tet bonuses, among other changes.

Hundreds of workers of Phuong Dong Seafood Limited Company go on strike

The strike started at 10am on January 21 at the company, which specialises in the processing of frozen tra fish for export.

Huynh Thi Tuyet N,. from O Mon District, has been working there for ten years. N said the company promised to give a seniority subsidy and Tet bonus, but at a meeting that morning, the foreman told them there was nothing for them on Tet, except for offering workers 1.4-months of their salaries. They said that if anyone did not agree, that employee would be free to go.

Nguyen Thi D, who rents a room at VND800,000 (USD4.76) per month, said my monthly salary is less than VND2 million, and must economise to meet expenses. Not receiving a bonus was a blow.

Another worker Vo Thi H. said that previously the company had offered a VND100,000 bonus each year, but over the past two years, the firm stopped this policy.

Tran Nhat Phuong, Head of Business Department of the company, said, “The company has faced many difficulties so this year we offered the 1.4-month salary as Tet bonus. We will provide seniority allowance this year if the company does better.”

Yesterday morning, more than 200 workers from Thien Ma In-export Ltd. Co. at Tra Noc Industrial Park in the province, also halted work to waiting for information about Tet bonuses.

Due to pressure from the workers, Phan Ba Tong, Director of Thien Ma Company, said workers will receive the 13th month salary, accounting for 2.5% of their total income, meanwhile they will receive an annual seniority subsidy of VND25,000.