Illustrative image (Source: doisongphapluat.vn) Hanoi (VNA) –The capital city of Hanoi is currently witnessing the massive annual influx ofmigrant manual workers. Seeking jobs that no city people are willing to do,they need to earn extra money to prepare for Tet (VietnameseLunar New Year).
Yen Phu street in Tay Ho districthas long been recognised as a hub for porters from other provinces. In the rainshowers at year-end, groups of workers can be seen sitting around fire pitswaiting for hirers.
Le Trong Lan, 17, from TrieuSon district in the central province of Thanh Hoa, told the Nong thonNgay nay (Countryside Today) that he offers furniture moving servicesfor 500,000 (22 USD) a day.
Born in a poor family, Langave up studying early and started work to support his parents and help ayounger sister pursue an education. A mason by trade, he can earn about 250,000VND (11 USD) a day. During the holiday period, Lan follows villagers to Hanoilooking for temporary jobs.
“I do as many jobs aspossible, including building, cleaning, shipping work and driving,” he said.
According to Lan, his wageis rising as Tet approaches. From December 23 to 28 (on thelunar calendar), employers often pay him 700,000 VND to 1 million (31 to 44 USD),double the amount he can earn on normal days.
“Only the poorest peopleaccept work till the end of the year. Most people want to be back home byDecember 25 on the lunar calendar as the latest,” Lan added.
Long Bien fruit wholesalemarket in Long Bien district is another city hotspot for manual workers in thepre-holiday season.
Despite the cold snap, manypeople move their produce at night. Nguyen Trong Kien from Ba Vi district isamong them.
“My income is not stable;it depends mostly on how hardworking I am. On freezing days like this, I worktill 2 to 3am. Too exhausted, I sleep like a log without eating a thing,” hesaid
Kien, along with anotherfour labourers, ported five trucks of fruit, 500kg each. Each of them earned 800,000VND (35 USD), far higher than the previous days.
Despite the heavy work, noteveryone makes a good wage. Nguyen Thi Hien, a house cleaner from Hai Hau district,Nam Dinh province, for example, said that cheating was not uncommon.
“Three years ago, when Ifirst went to Hanoi, a person asked me to clean her five-floor house for 300,000VND (13 USD) per day. However, after finishing cleaning every corner, they saidthey were not satisfied and paid me only half of the promised amount. WhenI questioned this, they simply told me to take it or get nothing,” she said.
At present, she is a memberof the Yen Hoa commune domestic workers club in Cau Giay district. Membershipoffers her a chance to get better jobs and acquire useful skills.
Migrant workers are easytargets for criminals, even human traffickers. Nguyen Thi Lam, 37, from NongCong district, Thanh Hoa province, said that three years ago, a broker deceivedher out of 500,000 VND (22 USD) and took her identity papers away.
“They promised to introduceme to a company with a minimum wage of 5 million VND (220 USD). However, I wasasked to deposit 1 million VND (44 USD). As I gave only half, they kept my IDcard,” she said.
Three days later, she wasfired. Fortunately, Hanoi Centre for Employment Service recommended her to athree-star restaurant as a cleaner.
Despite the hardship,manual workers from the country never give up. “I keep working, even onthe coldest days. Whatever I do, I do it for my children and my family backhome,” said Tran Thi Chuc from Vinh Phuc province.-VNA
VNA
