In Hanoi, at noon on August 4, the heat was as "hot as a fever". Many people have to take shelter in tree shade to cool down, but there are still workers who work hard to make a living in the heat.
Mr. Nguyen Van Bac (character's name has been changed) - a technology motorbike taxi driver said that he still drives through noon despite the hot weather making it difficult to breathe. "It's hot and sunny, and it's noon, so there are fewer drivers driving, if I drive, there will be more customers, and my income will be better" - Mr. Bac explained. According to Mr. Bac, on hot days like this, if he works hard even when it is the hottest, he will have a higher income. Deducting expenses, I can earn an income of 500,000 VND/day, said Mr. Bac.
Graduated from a college in refrigeration and did not find a suitable job, this young man drove a motorbike taxi to earn an income to cover his living expenses. "I have to work directly in the hot sun, I can only wear sunscreen and a tight mask; at the same time, carry a bottle of water to supplement water in time to avoid dehydration," Mr. Bac shared.
Not only those who work directly in the sun, but also those who work in factories are greatly affected in their health.
Ms. Nguyen Thi Cham - a worker at a garment company in Bac Ninh said that the factory of the company where she works cannot use air conditioners but can only use a water-powered refrigeration system combined with an industrial fan. "Although there are air conditioners and fans, because the factory has many people and many things, it is quite hot. Workers work while they are sweating, it is very uncomfortable, affecting their health and productivity" - Ms. Cham shared. To prevent heat, she always carries a water bottle (taking water from the company's water plant) to replenish water in time.
At Crystal Martin Company Limited (Bac Ninh), Mr. Nguyen Van Chi - Chairman of the grassroots Trade Union - said that the company's factory is turned on and conditioned, creating a cool environment suitable for workers to work, providing enough water. The company also organizes Coi su festival for workers to contribute to their heat prevention.
According to labor protection experts, to ensure the health of workers when working in hot weather, businesses need to implement many measures, in which it is important to pay attention to working conditions and organize labor production reasonably and scientifically. Employers need to take technical or organizational measures to reduce heat in the factory. For example, dividing it into many short breaks for employees instead of a long break. Factories, workplaces, and construction sites need to be neatly arranged, clean, airy, ventilated, open many windows and roofs, spray water on the roof of the factory, create fog or water film, equip fans or air conditioners at the workplace of workers depending on the conditions of the enterprise and the requirements of technology and products, etc.
Workers also need to pay attention to enhancing nutrition, especially foods that prevent heat and cool down. Employers need to improve the quality of shift meals, arrange enough water for workers...
