Workers at the packaging department of LÁP Vietnam Pharmaceutical Co., Ltd.
At the LÁP Vietnam Pharmaceutical Co., Ltd. factory (Binh Tan district), nearly 50 workers enthusiastically started their first shift after more than 1 week off for the 2024 Lunar New Year. Ms. Le Thi Thu Hien, the team leader of the packaging department, said that the company granted time off from February 6 (the 27th day of the last lunar month) until February 14 (the 5th day of the Lunar New Year), so the workers had a comfortable mindset. From the early morning of the 6th day of the Lunar New Year, everyone gathered to shake hands and start production for new orders.
According to Ms. Hien, in previous years, despite the economic difficulties, the employees’ lives were still guaranteed. At the end of 2023, all employees received a 13th-month salary bonus, and at the beginning of the year, they received lucky money from the company’s management. This year, due to positive signs in the orders, the working spirit was even more vibrant.
Mr. Vo Khac Huy, General Director of LÁP Vietnam Pharmaceutical Co., Ltd., said that the company typically starts production for the new year on the 6th day of the Lunar New Year. Currently, the company is focusing on developing two key product lines: cosmetics and perfume, serving orders for the upcoming March 8 holiday. The quantity of orders from the end of 2023 to the beginning of 2024 has shown positive signs, with rapid sales growth, ensuring that the company can provide employment and income as well as welfare benefits for its employees.
According to Mr. Huy, the Vietnamese cosmetics and perfume market is developing rapidly and still has much room for growth. However, it has mainly been a playground for foreign brands, with few domestic companies able to establish a good position. The company’s goal is to develop high-quality products that can compete with foreign brands but at a more affordable price for many Vietnamese people. In the short term, the company aims to develop a system of showrooms and distribution stores in provinces and cities nationwide. In the long term, it plans to export to markets in the Asian region.
Leaders and employees of Xuan Nguyen Corporation meeting at the beginning of the Lunar New Year.
Meanwhile, at Xuan Nguyen Corporation, Vinh Loc A commune, Binh Chanh district, hundreds of workers also gathered to meet the new year and start production. Mr. Lu Nguyen Xuan Vu, General Director of Xuan Nguyen Corporation, said that in 2024, the market signals still indicate many difficulties, with purchasing power not fully recovered and few export orders. However, the management and employees of Xuan Nguyen Corporation are determined to achieve a 10% revenue growth target compared to 2023. In addition to ensuring the consumption of raw materials for more than 1,000 associated farmers nationwide, Xuan Nguyen also takes care of more than 300 production workers by increasing their salaries by an additional 5% from the beginning of the year.
According to Mr. Vu, at the beginning of the new year, some supermarkets and retail stores have placed new orders, and businesses expect the market’s purchasing power to be better than in 2023. However, the company also anticipates the challenges it will face. Therefore, Xuan Nguyen emphasizes sharing benefits among all stakeholders in the value chain, prioritizing benefits for supplying farmers and employees. In terms of the market, Xuan Nguyen focuses on maintaining traditional customers while expanding exports to some Asian markets.
“In addition to maintaining quality for existing products such as honey and turmeric starch, Xuan Nguyen also plans to recruit more than 100 workers to develop new product lines such as dried fruits and fruit juices, as well as expand partnerships with healthcare product distribution systems. Developing the consumption market is the solution to increase the capacity of farms, create more jobs for rural laborers in Xuan Nguyen’s material areas,” Mr. Vu added.
Mr. Le Van Tham, a production worker at Xuan Nguyen Corporation, shared that during the Giap Thin Lunar New Year, workers had more than a week off, with time to return to their hometowns to celebrate Tet with their families and loved ones. On the first working day, almost all workers were present and enthusiastically started their tasks.
“After going through difficult times, up to now, having stable employment is quite lucky for us workers. Everyone hopes that the economy will develop this year, with more orders from the company so that we have regular jobs, increase our income, take good care of our families, and contribute to the city’s economic development,” Mr. Tham shared.
