HANOI, Businesses in some sectors in Vietnam have been struggling to maintain their workers, amid declining demand in major export markets, local media reported, yesterday.

Lower demand in such big markets as the European Union and the United States, has resulted in fewer orders this year, traditionally the busiest time for textile, footwear and handicraft exporters.

As businesses were forced to cut production, lay-off and reduced hours have been not uncommon. Re-hiring workers often means re-training, however, it may prove to be very costly, once demand bounces back, labour experts were cited as saying.

Tran Thanh Hai, vice president of the Vietnam General Confederation of Labour (VGCL), said, nearly a quarter of a million textile, footwear and handicraft workers were not working full shifts. The situation could be much worse because reporting from lower-level organisations remained spotty at best.

The VGCL said, things won’t likely improve any time soon, at least from now until the end of the Tet (Lunar New Year) holiday, which falls in late Jan, 2023.

Labour and industry experts said, a shortage of orders has been much worse than during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Source: NAM NEWS NETWORK