Taking care of workers' health during the hot season.

BAC NINH - As the peak of summer approaches, many businesses in the province are proactively improving working conditions and implementing short-term welfare policies to protect the health of their workers. These measures range from enhancing cooling systems and improving meal services to providing nutritional support programs to help employees maintain health and ensure stable production.

Many ways to cool down.

During the production shift at KD Sports Vietnam Co., Ltd. (Hiep Hoa commune), the working atmosphere is harmonious. In the sewing lines, high-powered fans are installed along the production area; many ventilation openings are fully open to increase air circulation. Cool water dispensers are placed in convenient locations to allow workers to easily replenish their water supply during work.

KD Sports Vietnam Co., Ltd. has installed high-powered fans in its production area.

As a 100% South Korean-owned enterprise operating in the garment manufacturing sector for export, KD Sports Vietnam currently employs approximately 1,600 workers with an average income of 9 million VND per person per month. Annually, before the hot season, the company's leadership conducts surveys, quality checks, maintenance, and installation of additional ventilation and cooling fans; and plants more trees within the company grounds.

According to Mr. Pham Xuan My, Chairman of the Company's Trade Union, along with solutions to improve working conditions, on hot days, the Trade Union advises the employer to pay attention to improving the quality of meals during shifts, supplementing soy milk and drinking water for workers; and providing additional meal allowances for departments with extended overtime shifts…

Ms. Nguyen Thi Lan, a sewing line worker, shared: "Entering the summer, working in the factory becomes more tiring, so the company providing extra fans and drinking water helps ease the burden on the workers."

In addition to improving production conditions, many businesses are also implementing short-term programs aimed at boosting morale and fostering a sense of closeness and sharing with their employees. At Samsung Electronics Vietnam Co., Ltd. (SEV) in the Yen Phong Industrial Park, the "Cool Ice Cream for Summer" program has been embraced by over 10,000 workers. Accordingly, during the four peak hot months of May, June, July, and August, the Trade Union, in coordination with the company, organizes free ice cream giveaways for union members and workers right at the factory twice a month.

Maintain good health to ensure stable production.

In fact, in recent years, many businesses in the province have proactively implemented solutions to combat the heat and take care of the health of their employees through various practical methods.

For example: JMC Vietnam Co., Ltd. (Viet Yen Ward) arranges rotating breaks between shifts in rooms equipped with evaporative cooling fans, and provides supplementary meals such as cold milk and lemonade; Nichirin Vietnam Co., Ltd. (Quang Chau Industrial Park) directly provides financial support equivalent to a meal during shifts on days when temperatures exceed 38 degrees Celsius… These are not only welfare activities but also important solutions to maintain labor productivity and stabilize production during the peak summer season.

Samsung Electronics Vietnam Co., Ltd. is launching the "Cool Ice Cream for Summer" program.

However, through inspections and monitoring by relevant authorities, alongside businesses that do a good job of taking care of workers' health during the hot season, there are still some production facilities, especially small businesses that employ many seasonal workers, that have not paid adequate attention to the working conditions of their employees.

In some places, ventilation and cooling systems are inadequate or outdated; rest areas are cramped; and meal breaks are not adjusted to suit the hot weather. Some employers still consider heat mitigation as a temporary solution, failing to fully recognize that it is a crucial factor directly impacting the health, productivity, and loyalty of employees to the company.

"The unit assigns full-time trade union officials to monitor the situation, conduct on-site inspections, and supervise the implementation of policies to care for workers during the hot season. At the beginning of summer, there is a directive for grassroots trade unions to mobilize and propose that businesses allocate resources to further improve the lives of workers," said Mr. Le Duc Tho, Vice Chairman of the Provincial Federation of Labor.

On the other hand, many workers, due to pressure to earn a living, still accept long overtime shifts in sweltering conditions. This poses a risk to workplace safety and has long-term effects on the health of the workers.

To mitigate health risks for workers during the summer, trade unions proactively coordinate with businesses to review working conditions in factories; propose the addition of cooling equipment, drinking water, and nutrition during breaks; and arrange reasonable rest periods, especially in workplaces that generate significant heat.

Trade unions at all levels focus on monitoring the implementation of meal allowances and occupational safety and hygiene; regularly understand the concerns of workers to promptly recommend that businesses adjust working conditions accordingly. They also educate workers to improve their self-protection skills.

Mr. Le Duc Tho, Vice Chairman of the Provincial Labor Union, said that the unit assigns full-time union officials to monitor the situation, conduct on-site inspections, and supervise the implementation of policies to care for workers during the hot season. At the beginning of summer, the unit issued a directive to grassroots unions to mobilize and propose that businesses allocate resources to further improve the lives of workers.

With many businesses entering a phase of accelerated production and labor pressure increasing during the summer, taking care of workers' health is not only a social responsibility but also a sustainable solution for retaining employees.

Therefore, along with the role of trade unions, relevant sectors such as the Ministry of Interior and the Ministry of Health should focus on disseminating information, providing guidance, and urging businesses to improve the working environment, prioritizing investment in cooling equipment, increasing automation in processes that generate significant heat; developing long-term heat mitigation plans instead of just temporary responses; organizing regular health check-ups, monitoring occupational diseases, and training workers on skills to prevent heatstroke.

Text and photos: Tuong Vi

Source: https://baobacninhtv.vn/cham-lo-suc-khoe-cong-nhan-mua-nang-nong-postid445611.bbg