Sustainability / Social
Taking care
When the coronavirus pandemic resulted in strict lockdowns and food shortages in Vietnam
in early 2021, Jotun provided safe housing for employees to live and work at its factories and
warehouse sites for the duration of the crisis.
For most of 2020, Vietnam was successful in controlling
the spread of the coronavirus. Jotun Vietnam’s HSEQ team
followed Group COVID-19 guidelines, which included 10
elements covering rules for work and social situations, and
reached out to colleagues in the network to get advice on
how they managed similar conditions in other markets.
However, infection rates had increased rapidly by spring 2021,
resulting in an extended lockdown period that lasted for
about four months.
ESCALATING CRISIS
As the crisis became more severe, parts of Vietnam suffered
food shortages and hospital capacity was stretched to the
breaking point. In Ho Chi Minh City, the army was mobilised
to restrict movement, enforce stay-at-home orders and deliver
food. Some companies suspended workers without pay,
forcing many to return to their family homes in rural areas.
Jotun retained all personnel at full salaries.
In July, the government in Vietnam announced its “Three
on the Spot” campaign, which allowed factories to resume
operations on the condition that companies provided their
60 I Jotun Group Report 2021
employees with food and shelter on-site. For many Jotun
workers, living at a Jotun facility was safer than going home
to their flats or rented bedsits where they might expose
themselves or others to infection. Jotun arranged for food
deliveries, bought mattresses and bedding, and set up
dormitories in every available space. At the peak of the crisis,
Jotun provided housing for a total of 233 employees at five
different locations nationwide.
RETURN TO BUSINESS
COVID-19 cases began to subside in the fall and, with
the rollout of an ambitious vaccination programme, the
government slowly eased restrictions so that Jotun employees
could return to their own homes. Jotun Vietnam continues to
follow Group HSEQ guidelines to manage the emergence of
new variants at Jotun locations. These guidelines also apply
to workers at the construction site of Jotun’s new factory in
Hiep Phuoc. By building on lessons learned, sharing effective
strategies on infection mitigation and remaining in full
compliance with locally enforced health and safety guidelines,
Jotun was able to safeguard the welfare of employees and
contractors in Vietnam during a difficult period.