Employee Pham Van Viet from Tribico Beverage Company pointed to the fact that the city lacks skilled workers, and asked for solutions from the municipal authorities.

In his reply, Nguyen Thien Nhan, vice chairman of the municipal People’s Committee, said that skilled workers currently make up 37 percent of the total and under the city’s vocational training programme, the city aims to have an additional 40 percent of skilled workers by 2010.

Answering their questions on recent strikes in the city, Mr Nhan said improper payment, violations of labour regulations and undue attention from HCM City’s administration, departments and relevant agencies are major reasons behind the strikes.

“The city has asked the management boards of industrial parks and export processing zones to work with businesses and solve payment-related issues,” said Mr Nhan. “In addition, the Municipal Federation of Labour has devised a programme to improve organisational skills. The city has also asked the construction sector to develop a housing programme for employees in the next five years to ensure that they will better enjoy physical and spiritual lives.”

Many employees welcomed municipal authorities’ willingness and readiness to address the pending issues in the coming time.

“We are satisfied with their straight answers to our questions, and we hope that such dialogues will be held more frequently so that problems will be solved satisfactorily in line with expectations from both sides,” said Pham Dang, an employee working at Tan Thuan export processing zone.

In conclusion, Municipal Party Committee Nguyen Minh Triet asked the Municipal people’s Committee and relevant agencies to study and resolve issues raised by employees.

“I hope that through the dialogue, employees will realise weaknesses to rectify themselves and adapt to the situation. Meanwhile, municipal authorities will also look into such matters to help improve employees’ living conditions and professional skills,” Mr Triet said.