Workers at a garment manufacturing factory in HCM City. VNA/VNS Photo

HCM CITY — Enterprises have managed to give Tết (Lunar New Year) bonuses equal to at least one month salary to employees amid a sharp drop in orders for exports and suspension of production, the HCM City Labour Federation said.

Việt Thắng Jean Co. Ltd. in HCM City’s District 9 announced that it would offer one month salary as Tết bonus to its employees.

This year’s average bonus at the company is not higher than VNĐ10 million (US$422) a person, said Phạm Văn Việt, the company’s general director.

The company saw its orders for exports to the EU and the US drop by half from the third quarter onwards, Việt said.

It has been seeking new markets for exports and exploring the domestic market to avoid job cuts, he said.

Nissei Electric Việt Nam Company in Linh Trung I Export Processing Zone has suffered a decline of 20-30 per cent in orders for exports this year.

The company managed to keep its payroll unchanged and maintain Tết bonuses equal to more than VNĐ13 million ($548) per employee.

The company’s trade union will also present Tết gifts to employees.

Freetrend Việt Nam Co. Ltd. at Linh Trung I Export Processing Zone, which has more than 20,000 employees, planned to increase Tết bonuses by 20 per cent compared to last year.

Liêu Quang Vinh, chairman of the company’s trade union, said orders for exports began to drop in the fourth quarter and the decrease in orders is forecast to continue next year.

With the increase in Tết bonus payments, the company hoped that all employees would enjoy the Tết holiday and would return to work after Tết, Vinh said.

Phan Thị Thanh Xuân, deputy president of Việt Nam Leather, Footwear and Handbag Association, said enterprises have pledged to ensure the rights and interests of employees, particularly the payment of Tết bonuses.

Labour-intensive industries, which account for the lion's share of the country’s total export turnover, offered Tết bonus higher than last year’s level, she added.

Phạm Chí Tâm, deputy chairman of the HCM City Labour Federation, said many enterprises employing a large number of employees have increased Tết bonuses by 10-20 per cent compared to last year’s figures.

However, many enterprises have yet to announce their plans on Tết bonus payments, meaning many employees might spend the Tết holiday without any bonus, Tâm said.

At least 155 enterprises have suffered a drop in orders and more than 50,100 workers had to reduce their working hours and pay as a result, according to the city’s Labour Federation.

The Ministry of Labour, Invalids and Social Affairs asked localities nationwide to report to the ministry by December 25 plans for employees regarding Tết bonuses. —VNS