Daycare facilities exempt tuition fees, summer camps... solutions for workers' children when summer comes

Lack of playground, workers have a headache when their children are on summer vacation

At a boarding house in Ngai Duong village (Hung Yen), Mr. Nguyen Van Phu's family is living in a room of only 16 square meters. The couple works as workers in Pho Noi A Industrial Park, with a monthly income just enough to cover expenses. The family has two young children, the eldest of whom has just had a summer break.

"The boarding house does not have a playground, so when going out, I am afraid of dangerous vehicles, and the surrounding ponds also have potential risks. We had to let our daughter go back to her hometown with her grandparents to have a safer and more playful space, Mr. Phu shared.

Unfortunately for Mr. Phu, many other workers did not have relatives to support them. In Cau Giay District (Hanoi), Ms. Le Thi Mai - an office worker - is having a headache finding a safe place to play for her two preschool daughters who have just had a summer break. "At this time, many epidemics show signs of breaking out again, I don't want to take my child to crowded places. But keeping children at home is both frustrating and unsafe, Ms. Mai sighed.

The lack of community playgrounds or childcare models in the summer is forcing many workers to let their children at home take care of each other or make friends with... phones, computers.

Social networks become "reluctant child caregivers"

The pressure of work forced Ms. Hong Tam (Hai Ba Trung District, Hanoi) to let her daughter attend primary school alone at home every summer break. Children are curious and easily drawn into harmful content online. Once I discovered my child watching a dangerous challenge instructed by a stranger on YouTube. I was very worried but there was no other way, because both husband and wife had to work all day, Ms. Tam shared.

cramped living space and lack of healthy playgrounds make many children dependent on electronic devices - leading to many consequences for health, psychology and safety.

"Jade Garden" model: The corner of happiness of workers' children

Amid that common concern, the " onto-Youth Garden" model jointly implemented by the Trade Union and Hau Giang Pharmaceutical Joint Stock Company ( human resources) is a notable bright spot.

With an area of 600m2, the internal kindergarten "Quildhood Garden" is designed with full classrooms, play space, and modern equipment for children from 6 to 36 months old. Parents do not have to pay tuition fees, just pay for food for children over 12 months. Teachers are also employees of the company who are professionally trained, creating trust and cohesion.

Ms. Bui Dieu Tien - DHG employee shared: "Before, I was always worried when I sent my child away. Now just take my child to the classroom next to work, I feel completely secure all day".

Similarly, Mr. Nguyen Truong Giang, a colleague of Ms. Tien, emotionally said: "The feeling of taking my child to school at the same time as work, picking up my child in the afternoon is just a few steps, it seems simple but it is really difficult for workers. This is a corner that brings true happiness".

Social housing summer camp - a flexible solution but still has many barriers

In large cities, the semi-boarding summer camp model is also developing strongly. At Hanoi Children's Palace, Mr. Tran Minh Tuan - Deputy Director said that the unit has designed integrated summer programs: Life skills training, physical education, foreign languages, STEM, first aid, fire prevention and fighting... to help children develop comprehensively.

However, the cost of summer camping ranges from a few million to more than ten million VND, making it difficult for many families of workers and unskilled laborers to access. Meanwhile, most public kindergartens have stopped summer activities, only a few places organize voluntary classes with higher fees.

Ms. Nguyen Thi Mui went to Hanoi to look after her grandchild - said: "My grandchild's school opened a summer class but the tuition fee was more expensive during the school year. I felt sorry for him so I told him to stay home until August, while I tried to look after both of them in the summer.

Need for a real companion policy for workers' families

Taking care of the material and spiritual lives of workers is indispensable by caring for their children. According to many experts, to solve the problem of lack of playgrounds and places to send children during the summer, it is necessary to expand internal nurseries in enterprises, especially in large industrial parks, support the budget for grassroots unions to organize free or low-cost summer classes, develop safe public playgrounds in boarding houses and workers' housing areas, and encourage localities to coordinate with unions to organize mobile summer activities.

Only when workers are assured of their children, can they stay with them for a long time and contribute effectively to the work. This is an investment for the future, not only for each family but also for the business and the whole society", Mr. Vo Thanh Hung - Chairman of the Trade Union of DHG Joint Stock Company - emphasized.

Children have the right to play, study and develop in a safe environment. But for many worker families, the seemingly simple thing is a constant worry every summer. A meaningful summer for children - also the peace of mind and happiness for parents. And that requires more real models and policies to accompany workers.