A dozen circus performers in the Lang Toi Troupe have resigned en mass, explaining that they need better paid jobs.

The performers in the Lang Toi Troupe which was produced in 2009 by Vietnamese French director Nhat Ly Nguyen based on a French New Circus performance has toured internationally and received rave reviews at home and abroad.

Vietnam Circus Federation Vice Director Pham Xuan Quang said the artists had resigned citing a variety of reasons including ill health and poor pay.

Quang said that the 12 artists joining the Lang Toi troupe have been well-paid.

"There are 20 artists participating in the Lang Toi show," Quang said. "As the show became very popular abroad after its launch, they were very busy in the first four years. And now they’re still touring the same show across the country. Besides bonuses for these trips, they are still getting their salaries just like all the other staff ub the federation."

Quang added that while other artists are paid just VND 300,000 (USD 14) a show, Lang Toi artists are receiving VND 1.5 million (USD67) a show.

However, one of the 12 artists, Nguyen Quang Tho, disagreed with the vice director’s claims.

"I can’t make a living from this job now," Tho said. "How can I support my family of six with a salary of just VND 4.2 million (USD200) a month when we’re not having regular shows?" 

“I don't think that Lang Toi artists are being paid better than other artists at the federation," Tho claimed. "We were paid VND 1.5 million for an hour and 15 minutes on stage while other artists were getting VND 300,000 for just a 7-minute performance. We can perform five or seven other shows a day but with Lang Toi we can only do two shows."

The artist added that they decided to retire following an announcement from the Ministry of Cultures, Sports and Tourism on staff cuts to those troupes which had limited bookings.

Dtinews