VTV.vn – Many businesses have planned new recruitment drives while also strengthening pandemic prevention measures to ensure production safety.
Implementation social distancing The recent period has led many workers to leave industrial zones, factories, and workshops to return to their hometowns. With the current situation regarding disease control, some provinces and cities are expected to consider easing social distancing measures in the near future. In this context, many businesses that employ a large workforce, such as textiles, seafood, and wood processing, have planned new recruitment and simultaneously strengthened disease prevention measures in their factories to ensure production safety.
In the wood industry, businesses are in a precarious situation as many factories receive orders extending into March and April of next year but lack sufficient labor to produce the goods. Among the 265 wood processing businesses in southern provinces and cities, the current number of workers is only a quarter of what it was before the social distancing measures were implemented. To ensure timely deliveries, the industry is making strenuous efforts to recruit new workers.
As for the plastics industry, to ensure workers feel secure and stay in production, many businesses have increased the number of vaccinations, ensuring they receive both doses. COVID-19 vaccine. Some businesses have even opened a medical center right inside their factory and regularly conduct weekly rapid tests for employees to ensure a sustainable workforce.
Mr. Tran Viet Anh, General Director of Nam Thai Son Import-Export Joint Stock Company and Chairman of the Ho Chi Minh City Plastics Association, said: “Businesses have prepared to equip themselves in ways they didn't have before, which is building their own medical center with full equipment and trained medical staff to care for people infected with FO. For export businesses, this season is the peak season to prepare for Christmas. All European countries focus on purchasing goods from July and close their stores by October to distribute them.”.
Meanwhile, in industrial zones in Hanoi such as Phu Nghia Industrial Zone and Noi Bai Industrial Zone, epidemic prevention measures have been raised to a high level because these areas concentrate a large number of workers.
Businesses also hope to have COVID-19 green cards for employees who have received both doses of the vaccine to reduce the financial burden of the three-in-one vaccine program for businesses.
Many businesses have had to temporarily suspend production due to the pandemic.
According to a recent survey by the Private Economic Development Research Board (under the Advisory Council on Administrative Procedure Reform), the number of businesses temporarily suspending production and business operations due to the pandemic reached nearly 701, mainly concentrated in provinces/cities with high numbers of COVID-19 cases such as Ho Chi Minh City, Binh Duong and Dong Nai.
The most common reason for temporary business closures is disruption of domestic supply chains. This accounts for 35.41% of businesses.
Minimize the impact of supply chain disruptions.
Faced with the opportunity to restore production, businesses are also proactively developing plans to minimize losses from supply chain disruptions caused by difficulties in distribution or shortages of raw materials.
One million products are behind schedule after a one-month shutdown due to a COVID-19 case at the factory. Viet Thang Jean garment company plans to resume production in stages, starting on September 16th with 501 workers. To mitigate risks, the company has applied technology to its production lines to compensate for those who cannot come to the factory.
As for Dai Dung Group, to ensure order deadlines, the company has proactively increased its raw material reserves, avoiding shortages that could disrupt production.
Mr. Trinh Tien Dung, General Director of Dai Dung Group, said: “Regarding raw materials, we also have to plan for three months of operation, including all main and auxiliary materials. We avoid disruptions in the supply chain of raw materials and situations where suppliers have goods but cannot deliver them due to transportation difficulties within the city.”.
Mr. Tran Thien Long, Vice Chairman and General Secretary of the Association of Industrial Park Enterprises of Ho Chi Minh City, commented: "The Association will help businesses in export processing zones, industrial parks, and high-tech zones access government and city support packages in the best, most efficient, and quickest way possible, for example, regarding capital.".
Businesses also believe that they should be given autonomy in production methods based on vaccination rates and epidemic control capabilities. Furthermore, coordination between provinces and cities is crucial for a smooth supply chain. Establishing safe production chains, linking green zones, and facilitating assembly line production activities are also important.
To help businesses confidently resume production, Ho Chi Minh City leaders recently announced the development of a set of eight criteria for eight sectors: industry and trade, tourism, health, education, construction, labor, and social affairs. These criteria will be completed before September 16th. Businesses that meet these criteria will be assessed as operating safely. Businesses, for their part, hope that support policies will be implemented consistently.
Mr. Tran Viet Anh, General Director of Nam Thai Son Import-Export Joint Stock Company, Chairman of the Ho Chi Minh City Plastics Association:“Currently, businesses have two labor streams: one with 30 employees locally and two with a large workforce from other provinces who want to return to the city. When the city reopens, how can we ensure that neighboring provinces and regions connected to Ho Chi Minh City also have a similar liberalization process, supporting them in obtaining green passports so they can continue working? This reopening shouldn't just happen in the city; provinces should also reopen.“.
Mr. Vu Duc Giang, Chairman of the Vietnam Textile and Garment Association (VITAS):“There must be specific regulations on travel control, creating a smooth, transparent, and clear corridor with thorough answers for businesses regarding the implementation of Directive 15 and travel arrangements. Only then will customers have confidence and continue to place orders with us.“.
Mr. Nguyen Van Son, General Director of Dong A Paint Company:“We have currently received two doses of the COVID-19 vaccine, but we are still subject to a 21-day quarantine when traveling to other provinces. We request that if we receive all the necessary doses, we will no longer be subject to quarantine. We also hope to access bank loans with preferential interest rates and flexible repayment terms to provide our business with additional capital.“.
The government has also recently issued Resolution 105 on supporting businesses, cooperatives, and business households to restore and develop production activities in the context of the COVID-19 pandemic. This resolution includes many comprehensive solutions regarding circulation, testing, and financial support to create conditions for businesses to both maintain and develop production while ensuring safety against the pandemic.
Source: VTV Digital
