Statistics from the Ministry of Labor, War Invalids and Social Affairs show that up to now, the proportion of workers in industrial zones who can buy and rent houses is still low.
As of May 2023, there are 398 industrial parks nationwide with about 7 million workers. Of these, more than 50% of employees have housing needs. While the proportion of housing serving workers working in industrial parks and export processing zones only meets about 30% of the need.
At the Workshop "Housing problems for migrant workers - current situation and solutions" taking place today (August 22), Dr. Nhac Phan Linh - Deputy Director in charge of the Institute of Workers and Trade Unions - pointed out the situation of limited living space for workers in industrial parks:
Survey data for 2024 shows that 53.9% of migrant workers are staying in rented rooms of level 4 houses, houses for rent, corrugated iron or Fibro cement houses. For level 4 motels, although most are equipped with self-contained toilets, the living area is very limited.
With a small usable area of less than 30m2, or even just under 10m2, the houses do not have separate rooms for each individual, nor do they have separate study areas for children. All living activities, including cooking, child care, family activities and rest, must take place in a single space.
MSc. Nguyen Ngoc Anh - Head of Planning - General Department, Trade Union Institution Project Management Board - assessed: "Currently, the capital source for the social housing development program for workers is still limited and difficult to access. Regarding the issue of land use fee exemption, housing buyers and renters, businesses themselves do not benefit directly from this policy. 10% profit in commune housing investment The festival is not attractive enough...
In addition, there are issues regarding construction planning and project development that only focus on technical infrastructure works. In the policy mechanism, there is no decentralization of management and investment...".
According to Mr. Ngoc Anh, promoting investment in building social housing for employees to rent requires first raising awareness of the political system, businesses, and workers about building social housing.
"Institutions and policies on social housing also need to continue to be improved and amended appropriately in terms of land, investment capital, and planning... Besides, we should be more proactive and drastic in implementing policy implementation; promote the role of trade unions in researching and proposing new models of investment, management, and operation...
In particular, it is necessary to do a good job of publicity and transparency, focusing on inspection and supervision of the construction, rental, and purchase of social housing for workers" - Master Nguyen Ngoc Anh commented.
