The Lunar New Year 2022 (Tet) Festival celebrating the year of the Tiger is approaching. Therefore, Da Nang’s businesses are exerting every effort to make sure that their employees enjoy a happy Tet despite financial woes. Paying Tet bonuses is the way that most companies show corporate social responsibility, as well as show their employees gratitude for a year of hard work amidst COVID-19 pandemic. Tet bonus is the way to recognize employees for a hard year’s work, and to give them an extra boost during an especially expensive time of year.

Hai Chau District Labour Confederation Chairman Lu Trong Phuong (in the blue shirt) handing cash assistance to local trade union members. Photo: LAM PHUONG

Businesses trying to offer Tet bonuses to their employees

This is the second year in a row that Da Nang businesses have faced challenges caused by the COVID-19 pandemic. Many businesses and production facilities have been forced to suspend their operation or dissolve. The survivors are struggling to recover from the pandemic while ensuring effective control of COVID-19. However, they are trying their best to find funds for Tet bonuses even though they have seen a sharp decline in revenue and profits this year.

Mr Nguyen Chi Truc, the Director of Vinatex International Textile Co., Ltd., said that like other textile and garment companies in Da Nang, Vinatex has been forced to operate at moderate level during the COVID-19 pandemic, resulting in a decrease in revenue of 20-30% compared to before the pandemic. However, Vinatex is managing to give the 13^th month pay to its workers as soon as possible to help its staffers to enjoy a happy Tet.

Mr Tran Nam Thai, the Director of the Da Nang-based Saigontourane Hotel said that the pandemic has brought the travel industry to a halt, and hotels have also been hit hard by the travel reductions. Saigontourane Hotel has been forced to reduce the number of its employees from 70 to 30 in response to the coronavirus pandemic. However, the hotel is trying to offer Tet bonuses worth VND 4 million each to its staffers. The hotel has also planned to resume full operations in the second quarter of 2022 with high priority given to getting 40 old employees to return.

Currently, many businesses across Da Nang are ramping up their efforts to boost production in an attempt to drive their economic recovery, and increase revenue to pay Tet bonuses to its employees. It can be seen that Da Nang businesses are joining efforts with the municipal government to help all local citizens, especially disadvantaged workers, enjoy a warm and happy Tet.

Many businesses in Da Nang are making every effort to offer Tet bonuses to their staffers despite financial woes. Picture is taken at the Central Seafood Import-Export Joint Stock Company. Photo: KHANH HOA

Trade unions deliver great care for their members

Mr. Nguyen Van Phu, the Director of the Daiwa Vietnam Co., Ltd in Hoa Khanh Industrial Park said that the company ‘s employees will receive one-half month's pay as Tet bonuses in addition to Tet gifts worth about VND 450,000 each. He remarked that Tet bonus is the way to encourage employees to work hard to help their company succeed as well as encourage them to stay on longer.

Mr. Ho Sy Tan, the Chairman of the Trade Union of Vina Kad Company located in the expanded Hoa Khanh Industrial Park, said that the company will give a Tet bonus to staff worth one month of base pay as competition to retain them during tough times in addition to Tet gifts worth VND 350,000 each. The Foster Electric (Da Nang) Company located in Hoa Cam Industrial Park has announced Tet bonuses for their staff in order to motivate them to work harder and encourage them to stick with their company.

Mr Nguyen Duy Minh, the Chairman of the Da Nang Labour Confederation, said that apart from efforts of Trade Unions at grassroots level, the municipal Labour Confederation will organize Tet Markets for workers, and offer free transport to bring workers home to celebrate Tet with their families in their hometowns.

Besides, financial support worth VND 1 million each will be given to 3,500 people, and cash gifts valued at VND 500,000 each will go to support 11,300 others. Moreover, Tet gifts will be offered to 1,600 workers who do not return to their hometowns to celebrate Tet, and 95 single female workers, along with 351 households living in Workers' Housing in the Hoa Cam Industrial Park and Social Housing in the Hoa Khanh Industrial Park in order to ensure that all workers enjoy Tet Festival.

According to the Da Nang Department of Labour, Invalids and Social Affairs, the highest Tet bonuses offered by local businesses are worth nearly VND 170 million while the lowest is approximately VND 4 million.

Da Nang businesses are managing to offer New Year and Tet bonuses as usual despite having financial difficulty due to the COVID-19 crisis. Although this year’s bonuses are significantly lower than in 2019 and onwards, Tet bonuses help employees enjoy a warm and happy Tet, as well as create a closer bond between the employer and their staff amid a global health crisis.

Reporting by THANH VAN-LAM PHUONG – Translating by H.L