Vietnam - Electronics company reneges on promise of union recognition

The Bluecom Vina Company in Hai Pong failed to live up to its promise of recognising the workers’ right to form a union. In response nearly 1,000 workers went on strike on 11 April 2016, demanding the right to organise, shorter working hours and higher pay. They were working 12 to 14 hour days, including every Saturday, for a monthly salary of VND 3,745,000 (USD 165), and instead of an hourly rate for overtime, they were only paid a flat rate of VND 100,000 (USD 4.50) per month. The strike was called off after the employer agreed to respect the working hours laid down in law, give the workers two Saturdays off a month and pay a monthly allowance of VND 450,000 (USD 20.2) per person