Labour union calls for help for farmers affected by coronavirus

The Vietnam General Confederation of Labour (VGCL) is calling for its local chapters to buy agricultural produce which cannot be exported due to trade restrictions as a result of the Covid-19 in China.

Students buy watermelon to support growers in Soc Trang province. (Photo: VNA)
Students buy watermelon to support growers in Soc Trang province. (Photo: VNA)

Many growers of dragon fruit, watermelon and durian are facing difficulties as they are unable to export their ripening fruits.

Therefore, the VGCL has asked its branches to encourage union members to spend part of their income to help farmers clear the backlogs of these fruits.

In the Central Highlands province of Kon Tum, the trade union of Ia H’Drai District, organised an event to give two tonnes of watermelon purchased from farmers of Dak Ha District to residents in border areas free of charge.

According to reports, watermelon growers in the central province of Quang Ngai are expected to face difficulties in selling the 21,900 tonnes of the fruit which will be harvested from now until March.

The provincial agriculture and rural development department has asked the department of industry and trade to step up trade promotion activities and create connections between agricultural trading companies to help selling such a quantity of watermelon.