Some 150 workers at Bay Nguyet Garment Company Ltd have been abandoned by their boss, who has disappeared owing them hundreds of millions of VND in unpaid wages.
Owner Chu Thi Minh Nguyet owes her workers about VND600m in back pay. She has not been seen for several days.
Workers gathered on January 29 at the company's factory at No. 23/3, Trung Lan Village, Ba Diem Commune, Hoc Mon District to discuss what action they could take to recover wages going back to December.
Unpaid workers gather at Bay Nguyet Garment Company
They say Bay Nguyet Garment Company began operations in Hoc Mon District in early 2014, and there had often been problems with late payment of wages. Workers have only received part of their pay for December, with the company promising to pay the balance and wages for January before the Tet holiday.
But the company abruptly closed its doors on January 26 without any official announcement to workers, and when attempts were made to remove machinery on January 27, workers blocked access to the factory and informed local authorities.
“The director said that we would get payment on January 14, before the Tet holiday," a worker said. "We have received nothing."
A worker, Nhat Le, shows a note with promised payment date
The workers were told by a representative of Hoc Mon District Labour Federation Office that Nguyet had been contacted, and she had told the office she had paid all workers wages due.
Several local businesses have joined the workers in their complaint, claiming Nguyet had not paid her bills, including rent and security services.
Local authorities in Hoc Mon District said the company was registered in District 12, and authorities there had been contacted to deal with the case. Workers were advised to take their case to court.
