Stop recommending shift meals
On the afternoon of February 17, in Hai Phong City, more than 2,000 workers at Tam Cuong Shoe Factory (Dinh Vang Company Limited) stopped working collectively. One of the main reasons for this incident was related to shift meals.
A factory worker said: The company has applied a shift meal rate of VND 15,000/meal from 2022 to present, while with the current market price, this level does not ensure nutritious meals for employees. Not to mention, compared to the general level of enterprises in the same industry, in Vinh Bao district, the overtime rate is very low". Therefore, employees recommend raising the shift meal rate from VND 15,000 to VND 23,000/meal, and adding overtime meals of VND 10,000/meal.
After half a day of the workers' work stoppage, the Hai Phong City Labor Federation and related agencies worked with the enterprise. The company agreed to resolve the proposal: Support for shift meals from VND 15,000 to VND 23,000, an additional VND 8,000/meal (this amount will be added to employees' salaries); shift meals for employees will be VND 6,000/meal (added to salary). In response to the enterprise's plan, on the afternoon of February 18, the workers agreed and returned to work.
Notably, in March 2022, Tam Cuong shoe factory also had a work stoppage related to shift meals. At that time, employees recommended that businesses increase shift meals from VND 12,000 to VND 15,000/meal, and support side meals during overtime. After a week of work stoppage, the company agreed to increase the shift meal allowance to VND15,000/meal.
Regarding the incident on February 17, according to Mr. Vu Ngoc Thuc - Head of the Department of Legal Policy and Labor Relations of the Hai Phong City Labor Federation, although the company basically complied with the provisions of the law. However, regarding other welfare regimes (including shift meals), the company has not promptly grasped the proposals and recommendations of employees, has not adjusted them in a timely manner, in accordance with the actual situation and general level among businesses in the area, leading to collective work stoppages.
Proactively adjust the shift meal allowance for employees
According to the Hai Phong City Labor Federation, in 2024, trade unions at all levels will have many practical measures, proactively participate with employers to take care of the material and spiritual life of employees, negotiate with employers to adjust the average average mid-shift meal from 27,000 VND/meal. In 2024, 145 enterprises adjusted the shift meal allowance with an average increase of VND2,500/meal.
In industrial parks alone, 331/347 (95.3%) of agencies and enterprises organize shift meals. In 2024, 240/331 (72.5%) grassroots trade unions will organize shift meal supervision, 28 enterprises will adjust the shift meal allowance to an average of VND 2,500, increasing the current average meal allowance to VND 29,000/person.
In 2025, Hai Phong City's trade unions at all levels will continue to enhance the role and responsibility of the head of the trade union at the grassroots level in implementing Resolution 7c dated February 25, 2016 of the Executive Committee of the Vietnam General Confederation of Labor on "Improving the quality of workers' shift meals" and Conclusion No. 03/KL-BCH dated January 18, 2022 of the Vietnam General Confederation of Labor to continue implementing Resolution 7c.
Grassroots trade unions grasp the aspirations of employees, proactively include the content of shift meals in dialogue, negotiation, and signing of the Collective Labor Agreement.
In addition, strengthen inspection and supervision of food safety and hygiene, the quality of shift meals in collective kitchens and service businesses providing shift meals. Thereby, ensuring the health of employees, limiting incidents of food safety violations at shift meals or collective work stoppages related to shift meals.
