The cost of burdening inspection centers
The price of inspection services that have not been adjusted for the past 11 years is putting centers in a very difficult situation. Sharing with Lao Dong Newspaper reporter, Mr. Tran Quoc Hoan - Deputy Director in charge of Inspection Center 29-03V (Hanoi) - said that this is an issue that has been proposed for a long time but has not been resolved.
"The price of inspection services has not increased for 11 years. Meanwhile, the rental price, operating costs, maintenance of inspection machinery and equipment all increased a lot," Mr. Hoan worried. For example, the inspection price for a car is currently 291,000 VND, a figure that is outdated compared to the actual cost.
The difficulties are further compounded when the number of vehicles coming for inspection has decreased significantly. New policies such as Circular 02 (exemption from initial inspection for new vehicles) and Circular 08 ( Automatic extension of inspection) have reduced the number of vehicles by about 15% compared to the same period last year. This causes the revenue of the centers to decline, while fixed costs remain unchanged, creating huge financial pressure.
Mr. Hoan also expressed his hope that the Vietnam Register, the Ministry of Construction and the Government will soon pay attention and allow an increase in service prices so that the centers can compensate for costs and maintain stable operations, ensuring the lives of workers.
Workers' concerns about toxic environments
In addition to the financial pressure of businesses, direct employees such as inspectors are also facing many personal concerns, especially harsh working conditions and inadequate treatment.
Mr. Nguyen Manh Thang, an inspector with nearly 3 years of experience at the 29-03V Center, shared that the working environment is very hot and toxic. Every day, he and his colleagues have to work directly outdoors, breathing in large amounts of emissions from vehicles.
"Our focus is often on cars. Although the amount of emissions per vehicle is not as large as that of a truck, the quantity is large. After finishing work every day, my nose and limbs are covered in black," Mr. Thang described.
Continuous exposure to dust and toxic chemicals directly affects the long-term health of workers.
Although receiving toxic allowances, according to Mr. Thang, the support level is still too low and does not accurately reflect the level of risks and hardships they face every day.
"Our wish is to be cared for and receive more benefits, especially the toxic regime, to help the inspectors have less hardship and have better benefits," said Mr. Thang.
