Because of the bad economic situation, many who have come to HCM City for work will be unable to return to their hometowns to celebrate the lunar new year.

Many people will be unable to return to their hometowns to celebrate the lunar new year

Tet away

Many people who have come to HCM City to work have been avoiding the topic of Tet, even in conversation, having all the way through the holiday. In places like Linh Trung and Tan Thuan export-processing zones in Thu Duc District the run-up to Tet has been quiet, as the run up to Tet only reminds them that they are unable to visit their families.

Mai Hoa, who comes from Nam Dinh Province said, “I can’t think of any possibility of going home for the holiday because of work, which doesn't pay me enough. Instead I plan to look for extra work."

Hoa, a worker at the Nissei Company said, “As Tet nears it only makes me feel lonely because I know I'll be unable to visit my family. I just hope that next year will be better."

One thing compounding the problem, according to many employees, is worry over Tet bonuses, which have been extremely reduced this year, while many get nothing. Many have said that their salaries barely pay for daily expenses, much less saving for a trip.

Many business owners, including those of Lotus, Miso, Magnicon Vietnam and King May Craft have fled, leaving large amounts of unemployed and unpaid workers.

Company role

Le Anh Tuan, Vice Chairman of HCM City Export Processing and Industrial Zones Authority (Hepza) said many enterprises have been facing economic difficulties since early in the year. This, he said, affects the incomes of workers.

Tuan said that the agency is in the process of influencing enterprises to provide some type of allowances for labourers to return home for the important holiday.

The Hepza plans to buy 6,000 bus tickets for workers who did not have the means to return home for Tet for three consecutive years.

They will also grant 500 tickets to trade union officials and 5,500 for other workers.

The agency is negotiating with the municipal Department of Transportation to arrange additional bus tickets for workers with priority given to the Phu Yen – Hanoi route.

Le Ngoc Dao, Deputy Director of the municipal Department of Industry and Trade, said that city authorities will hold a number of events for those who will not be able to make it home for Tet.