Poor ethnic minorities working in fabric cooperatives received support to overcome difficulties due to COVID-19

May 12, 2021

 

Story and photo: Phan Huong Giang

 

COVID-19 has had a significant impact on people's lives in Viet Nam in general and particularly the mountainous provinces, including Ha Giang. According to UNDP's assessment on gender sensitivity to the socio-economic effects of the COVID-19 pandemic in Viet Nam, vulnerable households have been unevenly affected, predominantly ethnic minority families, migrant, and informal workers. Many people belonging to ethnic minorities working in fabric cooperatives in Ha Giang were unemployed during border closure and travel restrictions, which resulted in the closure of these cooperatives. It has exacerbated the already challenging conditions faced by the poor.

"The COVID-19 pandemic happened from March to May this year. As we were unemployed, we took a temporary leave of absence for a few months. As a result, we could not earn any money," said Vu Thi Dinh, a member of Can Ty Fabric Cooperative. The mother of two children shared, "the biggest earning is usually five to six million a month, but we had no money in the last four months of COVID-19."

During the pandemic most affected period, no one hired Dinh and her husband. These months were the most difficult months for not only Dinh but also other poor ethnic people.

"We did not know how long it would be, and sometimes we were so worried when thinking about the coming days without any income," she shared.

With support of the Multi-Partner Trust Fund (MPTF), UNDP has cooperated with the Women's Union to provide practical and urgent assistance activities for the people. More than 600 cooperative members and workers of the cooperatives who are the poor, near-poor, disabled, etc., received cash support from a project entitled "Promoting Human Security - Leaving No One Behind through an integrated response to COVID-19 in Viet Nam." Each poor member received VND 2.3 million and personal toolsets for epidemic prevention and control.

 

 


"I received 2.3 million support for poor households. I used that amount to buy a pig. The support money I received is generally helping me a bit. Now that I have a job and orders from customers, I go back to the cooperative to sew the products for them," Dinh said.

Additionally, UNDP introduced and guided people to use the new digital platform through VNPost at the local post office. It helped them receive money transparently, accurately, and quickly and helped regulators obtain a database for better management.

"It's important in the context of COVID-19 but in the context of the recovery and preparing for a digital age and preparing for a time when benefits such as social protection and assistance will be provided digitally," said Caitlin Wiesen, UNDP Resident Representative in Viet Nam. "The digital platform, e-payment, and e-commerce systems can help further develop their businesses and digitally expand their markets. So, they can sell products that they have at a quality and broader market, and that will enable them to function not only in the context of COVID-19 but also in the new digital age as well."

Currently, Dinh and over 600 poor fabrics cooperative members and workers in Ha Giang have overcome tough days due to unemployment during the pandemic. They have returned to their cooperatives to earn their daily income. At the same time, they have also got a new source of livelihood and a relatively better understanding of e-payment.

More information: