Mr. Nguyen Manh Long, Director of Project Management Department, said that with respect to construction volume, despite unpunctual progress of the project, mechanical equipments (valued at 30% of total construction expenditure) was punctually delivered by domestic suppliers. The main task of the other months of 2007 is to built up spillway so as to hold water back for planned power generation and installation in 2008.
Rainy season in the Central Highland is one of culprits that are posing a halt to the progress of construction. “Keeping the progress is an order, therefore, in spite of rains, construction needs continuing,” Mr. Long said. Huge canvas is stretched to cover in which concrete is poured. While dams’ surfaces are dry, workers’ shirts are sweaty…
Having worked at Se San No.3 immediately after graduating from School of Water conservancy, Pham Duc Tuan, who comes from Nam Dinh province, is working at Se San No.4 and taking second-in-command position of Enterprise No.6.2 of Da River No.6 Joint Stock Company. Tam confided to me that his work was not very hard and he got a monthly pay of VND 3-4 million. Even though income is essential to workers, completing the task is more important. No construction work is not hard or tough. While on shiny days, smooth construction needs perspiration, on rainy days, though it’s cool, workers’ efforts might be fruitless.
Cao Van Muon, born in Chuong My, Ha Tay province, is so young now. 21 years old, he works at enterprise No.6.2 too. Muon said that he had finished a welder course, so it was easy for him to earn VND 50,000-60,000 a day in his country; but when the company recruited, he applied for a job hoping of broadening his knowledge and experiencing challenges. He has worked at Se San No.4 for 4 months with a task of pouring concrete. He has got VND 60,000-70,000 a day paid whereas 20 working days a month. Hence, despite his monthly earning of more than 1 million, he is pleased to face such difficulties at construction work. As he said, he goes to challenge the strength of youth.
Mr Nguyen Van Tung, CEO of Da River No.6 Joint Stock Company (the main force in Se San No.4) revealed that the company now has approximately 800 workers with a monthly income of VND 2.5 million each. Board of Directors has made a decision to raise this income to VND 2.7 million but it seems difficult to carry out and they have to try more. Labour change is unavoidable problem which poses challenges to the company. Shortage occurs at any working positions, including shortage of both engineers and workers. Therefore, the company is trying to find a solution to improve labourers’ living standard and maintain employee’s stay.
At Se San No.4 construction site, working people regarding employers and employees tolerate many disadvantages and challenges in their physical and metal lives. However, the construction is still completed with an aim to generating power. What an honored sacrifice they have made!