146 workers are owed wages, Trade Union intervenes to support

Workers struggle because they have not been paid for many months

Information from Mao Dien Commune Trade Union, Mecalium Co., Ltd. is headquartered in Tan Phuc village, Mao Dien commune, and has been operating since 2022. The company specializes in processing and manufacturing mechanical products (forming aluminum). At the beginning of 2026, the company had a total of 163 employees; as of May 31, 2026, the number of employees decreased to 147 people. At the beginning of September, the number of employees still working at the company was only 87 people; by the end of September, it decreased to 10 people and in October it was only 6 people.

The enterprise is late in paying salaries for June, July and salaries for working days in August, September 2026 with a total debt of about 2.89 billion VND. Currently, this enterprise also confirms salary arrears until the end of September for 146 workers.

In addition to salary arrears, this enterprise owes social insurance from July 2026, with an amount of nearly 260 million VND; owes expenses and union dues from January 2026 to date of more than 148 million VND.

Upset because businesses owe salaries for a long time, on August 8, 2026, about 50% of company employees stopped working, demanding their rights. Currently, this company has also had its production power cut, and all operations have been stopped.

The fact that businesses owe salaries and social insurance makes life difficult for workers. Mr. Nguyen Van Th (born in 1993), an ethnic minority, is the main breadwinner in the family, having to take care of his mother who was in a traffic accident and his father who is congenitally deaf and mute. Interrupted work and owed salaries make the economic burden of his family even heavier.

In the same situation, Ms. Vu Thi Tr (born in 1994) is a single mother raising a young child; Mr. Pham Ngoc Th (born in 1995) has a child being treated for illness. Four months of income loss makes their lives even more difficult, especially in taking care of their children's health and education.

Trade unions accompany and protect workers' rights

Immediately after receiving the information, Mao Dien Commune Trade Union directly went to the company to meet employees, listen to their thoughts and aspirations, and guide the grassroots Trade Union to perform the task of protecting the legitimate and lawful rights and interests of 146 employees.

In August, the Trade Union and functional agencies directly worked with business leaders, requesting businesses to pay salaries and benefits to employees on time; not to let the situation of salary arrears and delays leading to collective work stoppages continue to occur. The Company fully fulfills its obligation to pay union dues and union fees according to regulations, and proactively exchanges information with functional agencies when difficulties arise in production and business activities.

Immediately after the working session, the enterprise issued a notice committing to pay the June 2026 salary before August 31, 2026 and pay the July 2026 salary before September 30, 2026. However, by September 7, 2026, the company did not fulfill its commitment and did not pay the June salary to employees.

The commune trade union continues to guide the grassroots trade union to coordinate with the personnel, administration and accounting departments of the enterprise to confirm salary and social insurance debts, and at the same time support the settlement of labor contract termination for workers who need to transfer to work at other enterprises.

Before the request of the Commune Trade Union, on September 14, the enterprise contacted employees to confirm wage arrears, social insurance and related regimes; and at the same time resolved the termination of labor contracts for those who need to find jobs elsewhere. As a result, the company has confirmed wage arrears for 146 employees, reaching 100%.

The commune trade union also reported to the Hai Phong City Labor Federation requesting support for union members who lost their jobs, owed salaries, and do not have funds to pay essential living expenses in life.

Talking to Lao Dong Newspaper, a representative of the Policy and Legal Department of Hai Phong City Labor Federation said that, at the request of Mao Dien Commune Trade Union and the proposal of the grassroots trade union, the City Labor Federation decided to provide emergency allowances to 54 union members in difficult circumstances of Mecalium Co., Ltd. with a total amount of 108 million VND.

Hai Phong City Labor Federation also directed Mao Dien Commune Trade Union and grassroots trade unions to continue to grasp the thoughts and aspirations of workers, promptly coordinate with functional agencies to resolve arising issues, and ensure the legitimate and lawful rights and interests of workers according to regulations.

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