Gia Lộc- Thanh Vũ

A worker buys goods at the first ERA Mart Welfare Supermarket, which opened on January 22 at Linh Trung 1 Export Processing Zone in HCM City’s Thủ Đức District. —  VNS Photo Gia Lộc

HCM CITY — Workers at Linh Trung 1 Export Processing Zone in the HCM City's Thủ Đức District can now shop at ERA Mart welfare supermarket and food stores that have opened in the zone.

Nguyễn Thị Thùy Ngân, a worker at one company in the zone, told Việt Nam News: “Since the supermarket opened, I have gone there after my working day. For holidays, it has promotions for goods at discounts. I feel assured of the quality.”

Phạm Thành Đạt, a worker at a footwear company in the zone, said: “The supermarket’s products are diverse and are sold at affordable prices.”

Besides the supermarket, many coffee and food stores and one general medical clinic are in the zone, creating favourable conditions for workers.

“We feel assured of food safety and hygiene when eating here. We also have places to sit and eat with each other after our hard working days,” he added.   

Trần Thiên Long, vice chairman and general secretary of the HCM City Export Processing Zone and Industrial Park Authority Business Association, said that the association was co-operating with groups and brands as well as enterprises in export processing zones and industrial parks to carry out welfare programmes for workers.

As a part of the programme, 18 welfare supermarkets would open.

On January 22, the first ERA Mart Welfare Supermarket opened at Linh Trung 1 Export Processing Zone. “The supermarket will reduce financial pressures buying goods to prepare for Lunar Tết which will fall on February 12,” Long said.

Many enterprises in the zone had been affected by COVID-19. “The supermarket opened at the right time and is helpful," he added. 

The association is co-operating with E-wallet SmartPay to promote a digital experience at the ERA Mart welfare supermarket.

Marek E. Forysiak, chairman of SmartPay, said: “We will provide better money value through our incentives and promotions, which will make SmartPay the most convenient, safe and affordable way to pay.”

The activity aims to improve the livelihood of the workers and employees at export processing zones and industrial parks in the city and nationwide. It uses technology that will administer social programs in partnership with private industry for the benefit of workers, according to Long.

Workers can buy products at the supermarket but pay later via SmartPay. The service will help workers avoid so-called black credit.    

In the upcoming time, many entertainment facilities and more medical clinics will be opened for workers.

This reflects the association’s determination to improve care for the mental and physical health of workers.

From January 22 to March 22, workers in the Linh Trung 1 Zone who buy products worth VNĐ100,000 (US$4.3) at the ERA Mart welfare supermarket will get a discount of VNĐ30,000 when paying via E-wallet SmartPay.    

The association has worked with Era Group to present 100 Tết gifts to workers with financial difficulties in the zone.

Speaking at a press meeting on January 21, Huỳnh Văn Tuấn, chairman of the Trade Union at export processing zones and industrial parks, said that departments and enterprises in the city were organising many programmes, including Tết gifts and bus tickets for workers.

Around 418 enterprises have sponsored 5,016 bus tickets worth more than VNĐ3.2 billion (US$138,847) presented to workers.

More than 15,000 Tết gifts will be presented to workers.  

According to the Trade Union, 60 per cent of workers at the export processing zones and industrial parks will not return to their hometown for Tết.   —VNS