Companies tackle post-Tet labour shortage Many industrial companies are facing problems recruiting new workers after large numbers of staff quit over the Tet holidays, some offering sign-up bonuses and other inducements to attract the necessary skills on salaries of VND4-5.5m. Workers seeking new jobs after Tet Panasonic in Vietnam in Hanoi is looking for 200 female workers, while Indoac Company needs 100 new workers, and Sumitomo Electric Industries plans to hire 1,500 female workers. Denso Manufacturing Vietnam Co. has not said how many workers it needs, but a name, address and phone number is enough to get a job interview. In Thai Nguyen Province, Samsung Electronic Vietnam said it is looking for 10,000 workers on its manufacturing and assembly lines, and has gone to the local Department of Labour, Invalids and Social Affairs for help in recruiting. "It's good that many enterprises are hiring new blood. The workers can choose the right job for themselves," said a spokesman for the Hanoi Department of Labour, Invalids and Social Affairs. Managers in Hanoi's industrial zones say companies are offering various inducements to attract new workers prepared to stay with the job. Suncall Technology Vietnam is offering full health insurance and a pension plan. Sumimoto Heavy Industries said it will increase financial support for travelling, housing and seniority. Denso Manufacturing Vietnam Co. is offering assistance for workers needing help caring for children or elderly relatives. After Tet, many labourers quit their urban jobs to stay home, while others want to start a new year with a new job, hoping that it will fare better that the last. Tran Van Phu, a guard at Thang Long Industrial Zone in Hanoi, said that after Tet, the number of job-seekers increased by six times the usual daily rate. Nguyen Kim Tung from the Huong Moi Career Counseling Centre said they are busiest during university graduation season and after Tet. Tung said several companies had cut off bonuses and rewards this Tet because of economic problems, leading workers to look for more stable jobs with better companies.         tienphong