Helping workers find stable housing.

With the development of industrial zones and clusters, the number of workers and laborers in the province is increasing, leading to a great demand for stable housing. Therefore, providing housing support for workers and laborers is an urgent requirement, contributing to ensuring social security in the area.

With nearly 1,300 employees, Unico Global YB Co., Ltd. (Au Lau Industrial Park) is a large-scale enterprise in the area. Approximately 200 of its workers come from distant locations and outside the province, many of whom commute long distances to work daily, incurring significant costs, time, and living expenses. In response to this situation, the company has provided a separate dormitory with nearly 50 free rooms for its workers from distant areas, conveniently located near the workplace.

Ms. Pham Thi Nguyet from Chan Thinh commune shared: "Besides accommodation, the company also provides us with living amenities and essential items, helping to reduce the financial burden. However, in the long term, I hope to receive support to purchase social housing so that my whole family can have a more stable life."

The desire for stable, long-term housing is a legitimate need for many businesses in the province today. While workers at Unico Global YB Co., Ltd. hope to have access to social housing to settle down, in some other companies, proactively arranging centralized housing for employees has initially yielded positive results. This is seen as a solution to help workers alleviate housing difficulties and focus on their work.

Having worked for FUTA - Ha Son Transport Joint Stock Company (Cam Duong Ward) for over 7 years, Ms. Nguyen Thi Tu Anh from Ban Lau commune and her family were provided accommodation in the company's employee housing complex. According to Ms. Tu Anh, the distance from her home to her workplace is nearly 80 km, making commuting very difficult. Therefore, having accommodation close to her workplace has significantly saved her family time and travel costs, while also reducing the risks associated with long commutes. Stable housing also allows her to care for her family and ensures her young children can attend school in the central area.

Ms. Nguyen Thi Tu Anh, from FUTA - Ha Son Transport Joint Stock Company, was delighted to receive support in securing stable housing.

The housing complex for employees of FUTA - Ha Son Transport Joint Stock Company is designed with complete areas such as: living room, bedroom, kitchen, bathroom, along with basic furniture, ensuring the living and resting needs of employees and workers. Currently, there are 8 families and dozens of employees, drivers, and workers who have been allocated rooms here.

Mr. Nguyen Viet Anh, Deputy Director and Chairman of the Company's Trade Union, stated: "Most of the company's employees come from distant localities with difficult transportation conditions, high rental costs, and challenging living conditions. If the housing problem isn't properly addressed, it will be difficult for employees to feel secure and committed to the company in the long term. Therefore, the company has proactively invested in housing to support and help employees stabilize their lives. The company also facilitates the procedures to enable employees to access social housing policies in the area, and simultaneously develops a plan to support employees in difficult circumstances in building their own homes."

In Lao Cai, several businesses and organizations are interested in investing in the construction of social housing and providing housing to help workers settle down. Examples include the Vietnam-China Mineral and Metallurgical Company; the Sin Quyen Copper Mine Branch, Lao Cai - Vimico… However, the demand for social housing and housing for workers and laborers remains very high, especially in industrial zones, border economic zones, and central communes and wards – areas with a high concentration of workers.

According to the Trade Union of Industrial Zones in Lao Cai Province, the "thirst" for social housing is evident when the Social Housing Project on the left bank of the Red River in Lao Cai Ward, with over 700 apartments built by the Hacom-Thanh Dong Joint Venture, was essentially "filled" before completion. The social housing project in the residential area adjacent to Road B6 and other upcoming projects also received significant interest from workers, with the number of applications exceeding the total number of apartments offered for sale by 2-3 times.

Recently, the Trade Union Committee of the province's industrial zones has directed 50 grassroots trade unions in enterprises to review the housing needs and social housing requirements for workers, while also encouraging businesses to pay attention to and support housing for their employees.

However, in reality, providing housing support and access to social housing projects for workers and laborers in the area still faces many difficulties. These include: the relatively high price of social housing in Lao Cai compared to the average income of workers and laborers (approximately 8 million VND/person/month); strict conditions and standards for purchasing social housing; and difficulties for workers in accessing preferential credit sources to buy social housing…

Mr. Hoang Tuan Hai, Deputy Head of the Trade Union Committee of Industrial Zones in Lao Cai province, said: In the coming time, the Trade Union Committee will promote its role as a "bridge" for information, guidance, support on legal procedures, and connecting resources so that workers and laborers can access policies supporting the purchase of housing and social housing in the area according to regulations.

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According to a report from the Department of Construction, Lao Cai currently has 6 social housing projects underway with a total of 5,126 units (4,306 units are under construction, scheduled for 2026-2030; 820 units were completed in 2025). This is a positive sign in gradually meeting the housing needs of low-income earners, workers, and laborers in the area.

Ongoing projects include: Social housing for low-income earners in the Northwest reserve area (Sa Pa ward); Social housing in the residential area adjacent to the extended B6 road, Bac Leinh ward, Lao Cai city (now Cam Duong ward); Binh Minh Northwest social housing (Au Lau ward); Social housing on Dien Bien road, Coc Leu ward, Lao Cai city (now Lao Cai ward); Yen Ninh social housing, Yen Bai ward and Lam Vien area social housing, Nam Cuong ward (now Cam Duong ward).

Accelerating the progress of social housing projects, along with the attention and support from all levels of government, localities, and businesses, is expected to contribute to meeting the housing needs of workers and create momentum for the further development of the local economy.

Presented by: Thanh Ba

Source: https://baolaocai.vn/giup-nguoi-lao-dong-an-cu-post898910.html