Free repair of over a thousand motorbikes for workers returning home for Tet

Ho Chi Minh City Many businesses and factories organize free vehicle repairs, oil changes, and spare parts so that workers can return home safely during Tet.

At noon on January 28 (December 18), Mr. Truong Hong Duc, a worker at Thien Loc shoe factory (District 12), brought his Honda Air Blade to the Ho Chi Minh City Youth Workers Support Center (YEAC), more than a kilometer from his boarding house, for a mechanic to check.

After more than a minute of starting the engine, the mechanic said that Mr. Duc's 5-year-old car was in good condition. The car only needed a sprocket adjustment and new oil change. "I can safely drive back to my hometown now," said the worker from Tra Vinh.

Anh Duc brought his car to the Youth Workers Support Center for a mechanic to check on the morning of January 28. Photo: Le Tuyet — Anh Duc brought his car to the Youth Workers Support Center for a mechanic to check on the morning of January 28. Photo: *Le Tuyet*

Not only Mr. Duc, on January 27-28, YEAC and two coordinating units, including Global Insurance Corporation (GIC) and AP Saigon Petro Joint Stock Company, changed oil and checked vehicles for 1,000 workers working at factories in the city. Workers brought their vehicles to YEAC offices in District 12 and District 7 for support.

Mr. Duong Minh Trung, one of 30 mechanics assisting the workers, said that in two days, he had inspected nearly 200 vehicles. In addition to changing the oil, he and his colleagues handled any vehicle parts that needed adjustment, such as brake pads, sprockets, and chains, on the spot. In case of damaged parts that needed to be replaced, the mechanics would recommend that the vehicle owner take them to a professional shop.

The total cost of the program is more than 200 million VND, including oil changes, vehicle inspections, and gifts for disadvantaged workers sponsored by the business.

Mr. Hoang Quoc Cuong, Marketing Business Development Director of GIC, said that many vehicles when brought in have dry or black oil, affecting the engine, making it unsafe to continue running. Therefore, in addition to technical treatment, the mechanic also advises workers on how to check and maintain periodically to increase the life of the vehicle because for many workers, motorbikes are very valuable assets.

A mechanic checks a worker's vehicle at the Youth Workers Support Center, District 12 office, on the morning of January 27. Photo: An Phuong — A mechanic checks a worker's vehicle at the Youth Workers Support Center, District 12 office, on the morning of January 27. Photo: *An Phuong*

According to Mr. Cuong, this year the economy has faced many difficulties, and train and bus tickets are also scarce. Many workers who live about 500 km from the city choose to ride motorbikes back to their hometowns, so GIC coordinates with all parties to check and change the oil on workers' motorbikes.

"We hope you have a safe journey home for Tet," said Mr. Cuong, adding that if the program receives good feedback from workers, GIC will consider implementing it regularly on future Tet occasions.

Checking and repairing workers' vehicles is also a method that some factories in Ho Chi Minh City and Binh Duong have been doing for many years, especially during Tet, to help workers return home safely.

From January 23-26, nearly 200 vehicles of workers at the Datalogic Vietnam factory in the High-Tech Park (Thu Duc City) were refurbished. This has been maintained by the company for nearly 15 years to ensure safety for workers when commuting to work by personal vehicle.

Mr. Dang Van Chung, General Director of Datalogic, said that not only during Tet, but also every quarter, the factory organizes motorbike maintenance for workers. Vehicle owners register information including license plate number, vehicle model, and inspection request. The department in charge has software to monitor the repair process to proactively replace spare parts when due. In addition to hiring workers, the cost of spare parts each period is at least 60 million VND. During Tet, the team of workers is required to do thorough work, especially brakes, tires, and oil so that workers can return home safely.

A mechanic checks a vehicle at the Diversatek Vietnam factory on January 13. Photo: An Phuong — A mechanic checks a vehicle at the Diversatek Vietnam factory on January 13. Photo: *An Phuong*

Similarly, in two periods at the end of December last year and the beginning of January, Diversatek Vietnam Company in VSIP 1 Industrial Park (Thuan An City, Binh Duong) organized vehicle repair and replacement of spare parts for nearly 60 employees. This is also done regularly by the company during the year.

Mr. Tran Tien Phat, General Director of Diversatek Vietnam, said the total amount the company spends on vehicle repairs in a year is about 50 million VND, "not much compared to the total operating costs but has many benefits". Workers are excited because they are cared for, the factory is assured because the employees' means of transportation are safe. Especially during Tet, many workers choose to go home by motorbike, so this is very meaningful.

Le Tuyet

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