Unstable as... freelancer
Many freelancers in their 40-50s still struggle to participate in the informal labor market. For them, their jobs and income are very unstable...
On the morning of June 4, Mr. Nguyen Dinh Toan left his house at 4:30 am because the boarding house had no power since the night of June 3. Mr. Toan and 2 compatriots from Nam Truc district (Nam Dinh) are currently renting a room in lane 73 Yen Xa, Tan Trieu commune (Thanh Tri, Hanoi).
"I was so exhausted because the power was out all night, I woke up at 4am to take a bath and go to work. At home, I can't sleep and the atmosphere is squalling," Mr. Toan said as he took his motorbike out of the boarding house.
At the age of 47, Mr. Toan opened a motorbike repair and iced tea shop on the sidewalk in Tan Trieu commune. Mr. Toan's workplace is not fixed because every time a security team or police force is deployed to handle the situation, he moves his belongings to another area.
Mr. Toan said that he came to Hanoi in 2018. Before that, he followed a relative to Vung Tau to work for a waste plastic collection and treatment company.
"In my hometown, I earn millions to raise my children to study. Some sell seafood, some follow buses... I have been working in the fields for many years without any loss. In 2009, I divorced, the couple raised one child each, I gave the child to my grandparents and then moved to Vung Tau. Having worked for many years to prepare for my child's education to go to university, I decided to go to Hanoi. Working in a toxic waste plastic factory means we can't keep up with it," said Mr. Toan.
When he first moved to Hanoi, Mr. Toan stayed with two fellow countrymen near Long Bien market. Every day, he brings his tools to repair motorbikes and bicycles around the market, and whoever hires him repaires them. After that, Mr. Toan found the need to change grease, install bicycles, install wheelchairs... at the market very popular, so he imported more ingredients to make them. This job helps him have enough money for food, rent and send his son 4 million VND per month to study at university.
Not long after, the market situation gradually declined, Mr. Toan moved down to stay with his compatriot, opened a beverage shop, and repaired cars for tenants and students of some nearby colleges and universities. Regarding income, he said that he worked every day with money, and all the money was spent because of sweat. Not to mention, every time they are handled by order, they take away tables and chairs, warm cups... it is considered to be a whole week's compensation to have enough capital.
Ms. Ngo Thi Nu, 49 years old, from Thanh Ba district (Phu Tho) came to Hanoi in 2015.
Mrs. Nu said that her husband died early, she stayed there to raise her daughter to study. In 2017, when her child passed the university entrance exam, she took her child to Hanoi, where she and her mother rented a room together. Every day, her daughter goes to school, Mrs. Nu works for hire. At first, Mrs. Nu worked for hire at a restaurant near the boarding house, working every day from 6am to 8pm.
"At noon, I eat at the restaurant. In the evening, the restaurant owner appreciated my situation so he gave me 2 meals every day to have dinner for the mother and daughter. That is why, although my salary is not too high, because I can save money on food, I have been here for several years. Only when my daughter graduated and went to work for a private company in Ha Dong district did I quit my job at the restaurant, said Ms. Nu.
From 2021 to present, Mrs. Nu has collected broken copper, washed dishes for hire at the pho restaurant, and worked as an hourly maid. She has worked for a while in any job and then quit because she cannot afford to follow. Currently, Ms. Nu is working as a kitchen assistant at a private preschool in Yen Hoa ward (Cau Giay district, Hanoi).
Mrs. Nu said that she agreed with her daughter to stay in the city for a maximum of 2 more years. If their daughter does not get married or cannot find a stable job and ensure her income, the mother and daughter will return to their hometown. "I will continue to work in the fields, my children will find ways to apply for jobs at companies in the district. Living in Hanoi without qualifications and stable jobs is just a freelancer, very unstable, unable to survive long, Ms. Nu shared.
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