VietNamNet Bridge – The working conditions of all companies, particularly those in the fields of footwear and garments in HCM City, are still not at acceptable levels, according to the city Centre for Protection of Labour's Health and Working Environment under the Department of Health.

Labourers work at a garment factory in HCM City. Bad working conditions may cause occupational diseases for labourers. (Photo: VNS)

Seventy-two per cent of the companies had working conditions that could lead to occupational diseases for their workers, Tien said.

The centre's report showed that temperature, light, moisture, dust, noise and toxic gas exceeded allowed standards.

Vu Xuan Dan, also of the centre, said the temperature at companies exceeded 20 per cent over the allowed standard, 17 per cent over light standards and 16 per cent over noise standards.

Dan warned that although the rate for excessive toxic gas was low, companies should still take measures to keep it under control.

Tien noted that there were few employees specialising in taking care of environmental hygiene and labour safety at companies.

Nguyen Quoc Viet, deputy head of the city Department of Labour, Invalids and Social Affairs' inspectorate, said the number of companies tested for their working conditions was too low.

Although there were more than small- and medium-sized 350,000 companies in the city, only 1.200 were tested and measured by the centre last year, Viet said.

Many workers with occupational diseases had not been treated promptly and had not received payments from social insurance for occupational diseases, he added.

Most companies had neglected sending their workers to health centres or hospitals to maintain labour capacity.

The companies also did not follow through on the necessary procedures that would allow workers to get social insurance for occupational diseases, he added.

The number of workers getting social insurance was lower than the number of workers with occupational diseases, Viet said.

The report showed that 414 workers last year contracted an occupational disease, with 354 of them leading to deafness.

The number of workers contracting such diseases increased three times over 2009.

Low awareness on regulations on hygiene and safety labour of both employers and employees were blamed, he added.

Dan added that health clinics in the city's districts do not know how to evaluate working conditions and do not have the right equipment to do so.

According to Tien, companies should improve methods to upgrade their working environment and make plans to protect health of labourers.

Dan asked that new regulations on working environment and labour safety be issued and penalties increased.

This year, the centre would continue co-operating with authorities to improve public awareness of the Labour Law and occupational diseases as well as methods to prevent disease to employers and employees, he added.

VietNamNet/Viet Nam News