Nobland changes mind about sacking workers as strike brings authorities into picture

The Ho Chi Minh City Export Processing and Industrial Zones Authority (HEPZA) called on it to reconsider the layoff proposal and negotiate with workers, HEPZA deputy head Nguyen Vo Minh Thu said after meeting with company executives Friday.

This week hundreds of workers gathered at the company to protest, saying the layoffs were meant to arm-twist them into agreeing to the company’s plan to switch from hourly wages to a productivity-based salary scheme.

In December 2021 more than 1,000 workers had struck work to protest against the new scheme, which the company said would take effect the following year.

Nobland, which has been in HCMC since 2003, makes apparel and has more than 2,500 employees.