Midday meals of the Industry and Trade sector improve quality for workers

The quality of shift meals is increasingly improved

Mr. Le An Hai - Member of the Standing Committee of the Vietnam General Confederation of Labour, Chairman of the Vietnam Trade and Industry Union said that after 10 years of implementing Resolution 7c/NQ-BCH dated February 25, 2016 and 5 years of implementing Conclusion 03/KL-BCH dated January 18, 2022 of the Executive Committee of the Vietnam General Confederation of Labour on "Quality of lunch meals for workers", to date, 100% of corporations, general corporations, and grassroots trade unions have implemented lunch meals for workers (NLĐ).

Along with that, 100% of grassroots trade unions are interested in participating with employers and do not include other costs such as fuel, energy, service, depreciation... in the cost of lunch meals. Therefore, lunch meal money is mainly spent on purchasing food, ensuring fresh and delicious food, rich dishes, and nutritious lunch meals for employees. 100% of collective kitchens are periodically inspected for food safety and hygiene according to regulations, with the participation of the Trade Union in inspection and supervision.

To achieve the above results, the entire collective labor agreement (LCA) mentions the content of lunch meals for employees.

Up to now, the entire Industry and Trade sector has had 401 units signing collective labor agreements - accounting for 100%, of which 70% of collective labor agreements have many clauses that are more beneficial to employees than the provisions of law. Most collective labor agreements have clauses on lunch meals for employees in many forms such as organizing on-site cooking, giving money, hiring catering providers...

With the efforts of trade union levels and the concern of businesses, to date, the entire industry has implemented lunch meals for employees with most levels from 20,000 VND/person/portion or more.

In addition, trade union levels also regularly inspect and supervise the implementation of business lunch meals. Through evaluation, the quality of lunch meals is increasingly improved, ensuring nutrition and safety, and so far there have been no cases of food poisoning or other incidents occurring" - Mr. Le An Hai said.

The highest meal is 90,000 VND/portion.

Talking to reporters, Mr. Nguyen Huy Thong - Member of the Standing Committee of the Vietnam Trade Union of Industry and Trade, Chairman of the Vietnam Chemical Industry Trade Union - said that currently, the highest meal fee is 9,000 VND/portion, and the lowest unit is 18,000 VND/portion.

Some units organize lunch meals for employees in the form of semi-optional meals, employees choose savory dishes according to their taste, and rice, vegetables, and soup are eaten according to their needs. Many units, in addition to lunch meals, also supplement desserts with cakes, fruits; supplement drinks such as soy milk, yogurt, coffee...

According to Mr. Nguyen Huy Thong, many units invest and upgrade modern equipment such as air conditioners, water purifiers, TVs, refrigerators, rice cookers, food heating cabinets, electromagnetic cookers and pans... to cook meals that are more delicious and of higher quality; workers can sit and eat shifts in cool conditions, choose dishes that suit their taste, and ensure better health.

Typical examples are Lam Thao Super Phosphate and Chemical Joint Stock Company, Southern Rubber Joint Stock Company, LIX Detergent Joint Stock Company, DAP No. 2 Joint Stock Company, Can Tho Fertilizer and Chemical Joint Stock Company...

In particular, some units also organize 2 meals/shift for employees, namely Van Dien Phosphate Fertilizer Joint Stock Company, Lam Thao Super Phosphate and Chemicals Joint Stock Company. Some units supplement meals for female workers during pregnancy, namely LIX Detergent Joint Stock Company...

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