Rising from poverty thanks to keeping fish rafts
In An Binh commune, many elderly workers who previously lacked jobs now have a stable income thanks to the job of keeping rafts and taking care of fish for aquaculture households on the river.
Mr. and Mrs. Sau Thai used to be poor households, without production land, and their lives depended on precarious hired labor. Since working together at fish rafts, income has gradually stabilized, and family life has clearly improved.
Mr. Thai said that raft keeping work is not too hard, suitable for the health of the elderly, and has a regular monthly income. Thanks to that, he and his wife have the conditions to take their children to finish 12th grade and learn a trade.
According to Mr. Thai, this job helps workers stay attached to their homeland, without having to go to work far away. "Having a job near home, stable income, my family has escaped poverty, and has now built a new spacious house and bought more than 3,000m2 of garden land," Mr. Thai added.
Similarly, Mr. Tran Thanh Mai (53 years old) used to be a freelancer, with unstable income. Whoever hires him for what job, he does that job, earning only about 2 - 3 million VND per month, life is very difficult.
Mr. Mai said that since being hired to keep fish rafts and take care of fish, his income has been more stable than before (5 - 7 million VND/month). On days when raft owners sell fish, he also receives additional bonuses, helping to significantly improve his family's life.
According to Mr. Mai, although the work is hard in the high water season, in return, there is a regular income and no worries about unemployment. "Working for a long time, with trust from the boss, I am assured to stick with it," Mr. Mai added.
Towards the establishment of the Trade Union
Mr. Vo Thanh Quang - Chairman of the Board of Directors of Dong Phu Seafood Cooperative - said that currently the cooperative has 13 members with over 130 cages and rafts for raising fish such as tilapia, grass carp, and red tilapia.
Mr. Quang said that cooperative members regularly hire local workers to keep and care for fish rafts, with a number of about 100 people. This is an important source of jobs for idle, elderly workers in the locality.
The development of cage fish farming not only brings economic efficiency but also contributes to solving social security. Cooperatives always prioritize hiring local workers, especially elderly people in difficult circumstances.
Mr. Quang said that the Cooperative will consider and propose to the Board of Directors to establish a Trade Union organization to protect the rights of workers. According to him, this helps workers access support programs, care for their lives, and improve working conditions. "When there is a Trade Union, workers will feel secure and stick with it for a longer time," Mr. Quang added.
Mr. Truong Le Minh Thong - Vice Chairman of An Binh Commune People's Committee - said that aquaculture is currently the key economic sector of the locality with a farming area of more than 163ha. Of which, pangasius for export accounts for more than 123ha, other aquatic products are about 10.69ha, and the area of garden ditches is 29.2ha. The whole commune currently has 1,280/1,759 cages and rafts, with a total estimated output of more than 63,600 tons.
According to Mr. Thong, the development of cooperatives, especially Dong Phu Seafood Cooperative, has contributed to solving jobs for a large number of workers in the locality, increasing income and stabilizing people's lives. "This is an effective direction that needs to be further replicated," Mr. Thong added.
