First group of Vietnamese workers in Algeria arrive home

The first 13 Vietnamese workers, all of whom were employed in Algeria and wished to return home after a dispute with their Chinese employer, touched-down in Hanoi-based Noi Bai International Airport on November 17.

The first 13 Vietnamese workers returning from Algeria arrive home in Hanoi (Photo: VNA)

The early return was made under an agreement signed on November 1 between Simco Song Da, the company which sent the workers to Algeria, and the Chinese employer in Algeria, Dongyi Jiangsu Co. Ltd.

All of the workers expressed their wish that Simco Song Da and Dongyi Jiangsu Co. Ltd as well as other relevant agencies would quickly address contract-related issues to ensure their legitimate rights and interests.

Eighteen workers are scheduled to return home on November 18 and another 18 on November 20.

Dongyi Jiangsu Co. Ltd confirmed it had completed administrative procedures in Algeria to bring the Vietnamese workers back home as agreed.

Seven workers who expressed their wish to stay in Algeria will sign a contract appendix with adjusted norms.

To conduct the repatriation, Simco Song Da must pay US$1,700 for each worker to compensate its Chinese partner. The amount is equal to what each of the Vietnamese workers have to refund to their employer in order to terminate their contract ahead of schedule.

In early October, Vietnamese workers contracted to work for Dongyi Jiangsu Co. Ltd at a construction site in Khenchela province, more than 460 km east of Algiers, called for help after reportedly being beaten by their employer.

Under the contract, it was agreed that the workers would be paid based on working days and on a monthly basis. However, when they arrived in Algeria, the Chinese employer wanted to make adjustments to the contract, including paying them via a piecework pay rate basis.

After the Vietnamese workers opposed the change, they were reportedly assaulted by the Chinese employer on September 16.

Dau Hoang Anh and Dao Ngoc Cuong, who were injured during the assault, are now in a stable condition of health.

Simco Song Da is due to have a working session with the Vietnamese workers who returned home ahead of the contract expiry date on December 16.

(Source: nhandan.org.vn)