Can Tho environmental workers with high waste pressure, low salary

Difficulty making a living

Whether it is sunny or rainy, Ms. Tran Thi Thanh Thao (worker at Can Tho Urban Joint Stock Company) and her colleagues are still working hard to wade through alleys and roads in Long Tuyen ward to collect household waste.

Having worked as an environmental sanitation worker for 10 years, in the first stage, Ms. Thao was most afraid of dead animals. Gradually, from getting used to her hands to nose, Ms. Thao was no longer afraid of garbage and tried harder to work.

"There were days when I had to stay at a resort because I was sick, and I also felt broken because I couldn't go to work. The first is that collecting garbage in the team will be delayed due to the loss of one human resource, and the next is the direct impact on the family's income" - Ms. Thao added.

As confided to relatives, Ms. Thao was concerned that the work of environmental sanitation workers is currently facing difficulties due to the sudden increase in waste. Compared to 3 years ago, workers now have to work twice or three times to be able to take care of themselves.

"For example, the company used to give it 4 garbage trucks, but now it only has 6 trucks. There is too much garbage, but there is only so much time and human resources, so we cannot collect it all. So some households who understand it for themselves are happy, while some households who don't understand it are disregardful and scolded. I feel so sorry for myself, often cry, but also cry and explain to others" - Ms. Thao expressed.

On the same team as Ms. Thao, Ms. Le Thi Ho Phuong (Binh Thuy ward), although her voice was somewhat strong, she was very sad: "I really want to get all the garbage, because I do this job, but now there are not enough vehicles to get it. Employees are forced to take a diuretic - that is, take trash every 2 days, instead of every day as before.

Hope to increase income

Talking about income, Ms. Thao, Ms. Phuong and many environmental sanitation workers in Can Tho City sighed, because currently, the salary of environmental sanitation workers is only about 5 million VND/month. This amount must be paid for food, transportation, accommodation and school fees for the children.

Ms. Tong Thi Cam Nhu (worker at Can Tho Urban Joint Stock Company) shared: "There is a lot of work, there are days when when when I go home and I feel hurt because I am tired, we just hope for support from the government and people to complete the task".

"In the past 3 years, the company's budget has gradually narrowed, so there are almost no rewards. But thinking back, the company admits that it is difficult times, so we try to accompany, hoping that the day the company develops, we will be better" - Ms. Nguyen Thi Kim Cuong (worker at Can Tho Urban Joint Stock Company) said.

The Trade Union of Can Tho Urban Joint Stock Company informed that currently, the company's allowances, holiday and Tet bonuses for workers are limited due to limited company budget resources. This makes it difficult for many workers to live when having to tighten spending.

The company has submitted to the People's Committee of Can Tho City to consider changing the unit price for collecting and transporting household waste in Can Tho City since 2016 because the amount of household waste in the city is increasing, and workers are working hard. This is also an opportunity for the company to have more revenue to meet allowances and bonuses for workers, helping workers continue to stick with the job.

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