5 days off, 3 times salary, many workers want overtime

After a difficult time because the business was in trouble and running out of money, many workers were happy to be able to work overtime again, even wanting to work through the April 30 - May 1 holidays.

However, paying three days' salary often puts many businesses in a difficult position, having to accept losses to keep up with the order payment schedule.

Workers want overtime

Talk to Reporters, many workers confided that their incomes have decreased over the past year, and their jobs are unstable, sometimes available, sometimes not. Therefore, during the 5-day holiday of April 30 - May 1, they still want to go to work, not take a day off, and want to work overtime to earn more income.

Ms. Nguyen Thi Hong Van (from Long An) - a worker at Dony Garment Company - said that this year's holiday she registered with the company for only 2 days off, the rest of the time she still went to work and worked overtime as usual.

Ms. Van's child is in 9th grade this year, preparing for the exam to advance to a higher level. "Just the tuition alone costs about 4 million VND per month. Every month I calculate and spend sparingly but still have enough. Working extra on holidays gives me an extra day's salary, a bonus and extra income, I think 2 days off is more than enough."

Working at Dony Garment Company, Mr. Dang Van Nhan confided that in the past, when the old company's orders were stable, he was able to work overtime every day, and the total monthly income of the couple was enough to cover living expenses and raise a 2-year-old child.

However, due to the scarcity of orders, work is becoming less and less. Even more sadly, last year Mr. Nhan lost his job at his old company. Both he and his wife work in the textile industry, so it is difficult on top of difficult.

"I feel very happy because since the beginning of the year, when I started working at the new company, orders have been more active, and my income has also increased by 10-15% compared to the old company. During this year's holiday, I just hope to work extra hours to earn more money, and I don't dare think about going out or going back to my hometown," Mr. Nhan shared.

Ms. Bao Yen, a worker from the North working in Ho Chi Minh City, calculated that prices would increase wherever she went during the holidays, so she registered to not take the holiday to go to work, to earn extra income during the economic downturn, and to take compensatory leave during low season.

"On holidays, it's fun to come home and prepare a nice meal for the children. It's okay to have the whole family gather together on the weekend after the holidays," said Ms. Yen.

Businesses accept increased costs

Mr. Pham Quang Anh - Director of Dony Garment Company - said that in April, in addition to the 5-day April 30 - May 1 holiday, there is also the Hung King's Commemoration Day (April 18). Although the company has calculated and planned production, due to the sharp increase in orders, it is inevitable that the company will be busier than expected.

Mr. Anh said that the policy of taking a full 5-day holiday is still in effect, however, anyone who wants to work can still voluntarily register.

“Workers who work on holidays receive special benefits, including an extra day’s pay and bonus. Total holiday income is nearly three times higher than normal, not to mention the bonus of exceeding KPIs and good year-end evaluations,” said Mr. Anh.

As of now, he said that about 30% of workers have registered to work overtime on the April 30 - May 1 holidays. Most of them applied to work on April 27, 28, 29, and some even wanted to register to work during the holidays.

Similarly, Mr. Nguyen Dang Hien - Vice Chairman of the Ho Chi Minh City Industrial Zone Enterprises Association (HBA) - assessed that the 5-day holiday, which was recently finalized, affected many production and business activities of enterprises, especially those with urgent orders.

However, Mr. Hien said that the Government has decided on a 5-day holiday, and businesses will comply and notify employees to take the holiday on time as prescribed. For businesses that have orders and need to produce urgently, Mr. Hien said that businesses will notify employees to voluntarily register to work during the holiday.

As for his business, Mr. Hien said that because there are orders that need to be delivered on schedule, the business will let employees register to work during the holiday.

"Workers who work on holidays are paid three times their salary. Even though they are paid more, businesses accept losses and still produce on holidays to meet orders," said Mr. Hien.