In the past few months, there have been close to fifty labor strikes at Foreign Invested Enterprises (FIE) in Vietnam, and many employees have walked off their jobs at foreign factories.  As a result, the Ho Chi Min City government has announced new programs to increase worker contentment and prevent laborers from striking. 

To assess the situation, the Ho Chi Min City government has been conducting surveys at foreign company factories to learn more about company meal plans, lodging, and salaries.  This data will be used to standardize conditions at all foreign factories.  The city is also planning to eventually start a new housing program for all workers and close down all housing complexes that fail to meet certain standards.  With regard to labor disputes, the city government will increase the number of labor unions at foreign companies to give workers a forum for voicing their concerns.  Workers will also be given the opportunity to take free courses in foreign business and investment. 

The head of the Ho Chi Minh City People´s Committee, Nguyen Thien Nhan, recently spoke at a meeting attended by many foreign businesses and foreign business associations.  Nhan made it clear that Ho Chi Minh City was committed to reducing these labor strikes and making it easier for foreign businesses to continue operating in the city without problems.