Gender equality in business

Shints BVT Company Limited (Hai Duong City) always gives opportunities for female employees to develop their capacity.

Give a chance

“The company’s senior human resources department has 3 people, 2 of whom are women. As a long-standing textile and garment company, female workers account for a large proportion, so Shints BVT Company Limited always creates opportunities for women to affirm their abilities,” said Ms. Le Thi Kim Thoa, Chairwoman of the company’s Trade Union.

In addition to paying attention to salary and bonus policies, female employees at Shints BVT Company Limited (Hai Duong City) are also given the opportunity to send their children for free at the nursery built by the company. Policies for pregnant and breastfeeding women are also guaranteed. Here, both men and women are given equal opportunities for career advancement. "Gender equality in enterprises should not be just slogans and slogans, but should be real benefits for them," Ms. Thoa affirmed.

For businesses with many female workers, gender equality is always an issue of concern to the union. Skilled female workers who are proactive and committed to the business for a long time are recommended by the union to enjoy good treatment. Ms. Nguyen Thi Dao, a worker at Vinawood HY Joint Stock Company (Binh Giang) said: “We are all given equal job opportunities. When proposing promotions and salary increases, women are always given attention and favorable conditions by the leaders.”

The Ministry of Labor, War Invalids and Social Affairs assessed that in 2021, due to the impact of the Covid-19 pandemic, gender inequality in Vietnamese enterprises increased, and employment opportunities for female workers decreased... However, in 2022, gender inequality has gradually improved. Vietnamese enterprises have recovered production after the pandemic, so employment opportunities for female workers have also improved. Many enterprises have restarted the program "For the Advancement of Women"...

According to Mr. Vu Hong Quan, Head of the Department of Children and Gender Equality (Department of Labor, War Invalids and Social Affairs), gender equality has been of interest to many enterprises in the province. In factories, female workers are given opportunities and enjoy the same rights in all areas as men. Men and women both have the right to choose jobs, positions or do things that suit their needs, desires and aspirations without being influenced by any prejudices or notions.

Corporate culture

YODY Fashion Joint Stock Company (Hai Duong City) organizes many useful activities after working hours for male and female workers and laborers.

Ms. Ha Thi Thu Ha, Head of the CNB Department (in charge of salary and welfare policies for employees), Vice President of the Trade Union of YODY Fashion Joint Stock Company (Hai Duong City) affirmed that implementing gender equality well, creating opportunities for employees to develop equally, regardless of gender or region is the culture of the enterprise. At YODY, if women are consulted by experts on issues related to reproductive health and age psychology, men also enjoy these benefits. Men are trained to improve their qualifications and skills, and women are also allowed to participate.

For export enterprises, gender equality is also a criterion for signing contracts and evaluating the enterprise's ability to supply goods. A representative of Hai Anh Garment Joint Stock Company (Binh Giang) said that when signing orders, many partners, in addition to checking whether the enterprise uses child labor or pays full insurance, also survey whether the enterprise treats its workers equally. Therefore, gender equality for many enterprises has now become a culture and a development opportunity.

At the training course to improve knowledge on gender equality in leadership and management and for the advancement of women organized by the Department of Labor, War Invalids and Social Affairs last September, speaker Nguyen Thi Ky, an independent gender expert, former Deputy Director of the Department of Social Affairs, former Director of the Center for Training Elected Representatives, Office of the National Assembly, shared some interesting information. That is, the number of female-owned businesses in our country currently accounts for about 24%. This rate is oriented to increase when implementing the national strategy for gender equality for the period 2020-2030. Specifically, by 2025, the rate of women-owned businesses in Vietnam will account for about 27% and will be 30% by 2030. This shows that the role of women in businesses is increasingly affirmed.

Women are increasingly interested in and affirming their position in the family as well as in society. In Hai Duong, many programs to support women in starting a business by the Women's Union, Youth Union, and Young Entrepreneurs Association have been implemented. When women are business owners, issues related to gender equality and creating conditions for women to develop are also better implemented.

HAI MINH