Cost burden
Counting living expenses from tuition fees, food to preschool care fees, is always a concern for many workers in industrial parks. Typically, in the case of Ms. Lam Kim Nhung (worker at Tra Noc Industrial Park, Can Tho City), with an income ranging from 6 - 8 million VND/month, Ms. Nhung has to calculate every penny to raise her two young children.
Each month, tuition and living expenses for my 2 children account for nearly half of my total income. In months with overtime, I still have enough money to spend day by day. And in months with little work, at the end of the month, I fall into a state of shortage, struggling to manage" - Ms. Nhung recounted.
Sharing the same situation, Mr. Nguyen Van Hoai (a worker at Tra Noc industrial park, Can Tho City) - said that the pressure of sending children to private childcare groups is very high. With a total income of less than 15 million VND/month, they have to face a series of expenses from rent, electricity, water to living expenses.
“The money for sending children to private daycare groups each month also costs nearly 2 million VND. Many times, seeing my children at a disadvantage, if I want to buy more new clothes, I have to lift and lower them, consider carefully because I am afraid of running out of rent” - Mr. Hoai confided.
Practical support
On April 29, the 2nd session (specialized session) of the 11th Can Tho City People's Council, term 2026 - 2031, passed a Resolution on regulations on the level of support for preschool children who are children of workers and laborers working in industrial parks, where there are many workers. This policy also expands support for preschool teachers working in private and semi-public educational institutions in industrial park areas.
Children belonging to the above-mentioned subjects will be supported with 200,000 VND/child/month. The support period is calculated based on the actual number of school months, but not exceeding 9 months in a school year. This is considered a humane policy, closely following the actual life of workers.
When she heard about this support level, Ms. Lam Kim Nhung could not hide her joy. For her, the support level of 200,000 VND, although it cannot cover the entire tuition fee, is of practical significance in compensating for the cost of diapers, milk or school supplies for her children.
If previously tuition fee exemption was already a welcome thing, now with this additional direct monthly support, my family's life will be less stressful. A little sharing at this time is extremely precious" - Ms. Nhung excitedly said.
Mr. Nguyen Van Hoai acknowledged: "200,000 VND may just be a few meals, but when it is accumulated to take care of children, this is a very practical support, helping the family economy to be less stressed, and my husband and I can also feel more secure at work.
According to statistics, there are currently about 2,654 children in the city studying at private preschool education institutions with parents or caregivers who are workers working in industrial parks.
It can be said that this is the core labor force contributing to the economic development of Can Tho City, but it is also considered a vulnerable group to economic fluctuations.
