The Social Insurance Department of Binh Duong Province has announced that it will give VND700 billion (USD33.3 million) in support to 80,000 workers at firms that were affected by the violent anti-China protest on May 13.

Large demonstrations in Binh Duong Province on May 13

"We'll implement this programme quickly in order to support the affected labourers. Maternal leave and medical insurance claims will be dealt with within one week," said a representative of the Social Insurance Department.

On May 20, the chairman of Binh Duong People's Committee, Le Thanh Cung, worked with Oh Jae Hack, head of the Consulate General of South Korea in HCM City and over 30 South Korean firms to discuss measures to support enterprises who suffered damages during the protest and to ensure public security in the future. Cung said, "Both the government and Binh Duong Province will create support plans to help firms that suffered losses, as well as the labourers at these companies."

Oh Jae Hack sympathised with Binh Duong provincial authorities concerning the unfortunate event, and hoped firms would be able to return to normal operations as soon as possible.

Major-General Vo Thanh Duc, head of Binh Duong Province police force, said, "We are completing procedures to prosecute all offenders who caused disorder or destroyed and looted property. The police are still expanding the investigation and has arrested more suspects." Duc went on to say that most of the offenders were not labourers and had criminal backgrounds. They also advised people and workers to be more careful and avoid being incited to violent demonstration.

Currently, the police have detained 1,036 suspects. After investigation, they have made 753 arrests and fined the rest. Colonel Nguyen Hoang Thao, deputy head of Binh Duong's police force, said they have increased patrols.

A man (in white circle) being arrested for causing disorder on May 13

On May 19, police in Di An Commune also said they were completing procedures for the prosecution of seven suspected thieves. One of the suspects said he was a waiter, but asked off of work when he saw the demonstration on May 13. He and six other men have been accused of stealing the property of companies in Di An Commune. Another group of six, who have operated as loan sharks in Thuan An Commune since 2011, admitted to having incited others to violence at Asama Factory and used this opportunity to steal bicycles.