Care starts from the shift
More than 10 years working as a garment worker at Panko Tam Thang Co., Ltd. (Ban Thach ward, Da Nang), Ms. Tran Thi Hanh, from Chien Dan commune, Da Nang city, has become familiar with the rhythm of life of a female worker in an industrial park: sending her child to the garment line in the morning, eating a quick lunch at noon, and working overtime in the afternoon when orders are urgent.
After giving birth to her second child, Ms. Hanh returned to the factory with many worries. The child is still breastfeeding, while the shift is long, sometimes overtime until evening. The body is tired, the child is lacking milk, and she herself often only knows how to endure until the end of the hour.
“Previously, one day when I came back to my rented room, I was exhausted, my child cried because of lack of milk, I was also self-pitying. I went to work to earn money to raise my child, but I couldn't take care of my child completely as desired” - Ms. Hanh recounted.
That worry diminishes when businesses arrange milk pumping and storage rooms according to the proposal of the grassroots trade union. The room is not large, but has a milk pump, refrigerator, sterilization equipment and private space. In the middle of the shift, Ms. Hanh and many female workers raising young children can take advantage of milk pumping and safe storage to bring back for their children.
What I cherish most is the feeling of being respected. No begging, no hesitation. The company has its own place, has suitable time, I both maintain my health and feel secure in breastfeeding my child" - Ms. Hanh shared.
Da Nang currently has nearly 300,000 workers working in industrial zones and clusters; of which, female workers account for more than 55%. Most of them work in garment, footwear, and electronics industries - fields with high labor intensity and incomes that are not really abundant. Many people are far from home, renting rooms, raising young children, lacking regular support from their families.
From that reality, city-level Trade Unions have promoted many practical care models for female workers. The "Milk pumping - storage cabin" model has been implemented at some businesses, with some places investing tens of millions of VND to equip private rooms, milk pumps, refrigerators, and sterilization cabinets. To date, about 15 businesses in the area have installed and operated 28 milk pumping and storage rooms serving female workers.
Not only stopping at the milk pumping room, many contents directly related to female workers have been included in collective labor agreements. Currently, there are more than 300 businesses with separate policies prioritizing female workers; many units are interested in working conditions, suitable restrooms, occupational safety and health and health care regimes. Nearly 400 businesses organize periodic health check-ups and gynecological specialist check-ups for female workers.
Home after the upheavals
If the milk pumping room and meals help female workers feel secure in the factory, then programs to support difficulties, build houses, and provide emergency assistance become a support when they encounter upheavals in life.
Seven years ago, Ms. N.T. V, a garment worker at Sedo Vinako Co., Ltd. (Duy Xuyen commune, Da Nang), had a traffic accident on her way back to her rented room. After many months of treatment, her health declined, and she could not work with the same productivity as before. Lower income, while she raises her young child alone. The temporary house of the two mothers and children leaks and deteriorates every rainy season.
There were times when I thought I probably wouldn't dare to dream of having a solid house for a lifetime. Whatever I earned, I worry about medicine, tuition fees for my children, and daily expenses" - Ms. V recalled.
From the proposal of the grassroots trade union, Ms. V was supported by the City Labor Federation with 50 million VND to build a "Trade Union Shelter". Colleagues contributed more working days, and relatives helped with materials. The small house was completed before the rainy season, helping her and her children have a safe place to live.
For Ms. V, that house is not only to shelter from the sun and rain. It is also an encouragement for her to overcome the feeling of loneliness after the upheaval. "When it is most difficult, someone asks for help, the Trade Union stands up to support, I feel there is still a support to continue working and raising children," she said.
According to Ms. Phan Thi Thuy Linh - Chairwoman of Da Nang Trade Union, caring for female workers is not just visiting during holidays and Tet, but must go into specific needs: reproductive health, working conditions, housing, meals, support when sick, accidents, job loss. In particular, for female workers in non-state-owned enterprises, negotiating to include more beneficial policies in collective labor agreements is considered a fundamental solution.
Every year, the Trade Union participates in the city's inter-sectoral inspection team, directly working with about 20 businesses, focusing on industries with high risk of labor accidents and occupational diseases such as building materials production, mineral exploitation, and construction.
Specifically for female workers - a group more vulnerable in labor relations - the inspection team focuses on implementing regulations on caring for and protecting women's rights at the workplace.
We guide businesses to comply with the provisions of law, and at the same time request to overcome limitations. In case of violations of regulations on occupational safety and health, we will propose to competent authorities to handle and strictly punish according to regulations" - Mr. Nguyen Qui Quy, Deputy Director of Da Nang Department of Home Affairs, said.
