VietNamNet Bridge – Thousands of workers in the southern province of Binh Duong travelled home for the Tet (Lunar New Year) holidays on free coaches on Wednesday, Feb 3.

Thousands of workers turned up early today for free coaches to return home for the Tet holidays. — Photo vietnamplus.vn

The initiative was part of a programme jointly organised by the provincial People's Committee and Trade Union.

During a brief ceremony to see off the workers from the province, the provincial Party Committee's secretary, Duong Tran Nam, conveyed New Year greetings and warm wishes to all their families. He also reminded them to return to work as scheduled after Tet.

According to the provincial Trade Union, this year, the union used its budget to provide free buses to some 2,000 workers. Of these, 1,500 workers reside in the south central province of Phu Yen to Ha Noi, while the rest live in the southern region.

"The majority of workers eligible for free coaches were those who have shown excellent work productivity and those who have worked for their employers for at least three years," Deputy Chairman of the provincial Trade Union Truong Thi Bich Hanh said.

"Underprivileged workers and those who have suffered industrial accidents were also targets of the programme," she said.

In addition to assistance provided by the provincial Trade Union, enterprises in the province have staged a number of activities to support labourers who wish to travel to their home town. So far, nearly 100 enterprises have arranged buses to transport more than 12,000 employees to their home towns for the Tet holidays.

"This consideration is heartwarming," Nguyen Van Viet, a worker for Wonderful Sai Gon Electrics based in VSIP industrial park, said. He is among thousands of workers from all corners of the country who came to work in Binh Duong, which features a large number of industrial zones.

In previous years, local authorities and trade unions have paid due attention to the material needs and spiritual life of the labourers through practical social welfare activities, such as building houses that are affordable for labourers and providing free health care and vocational training.

"I and other workers are pretty moved, as we were provided free coaches to return home to enjoy the Lunar New Year," said Le Thi Lieu, a female worker at the Shyang Hung Cheng Co., which produces leather footwear in Thuan An Township.

VNS