Around 30-35% of textile and garment factories in Vietnam have closed due to the COVID-19 pandemic, according to the Vietnam Textile and Apparel Association (VITAS).
Companies do not have enough funds to pay for three-on-site working arrangements to support employees to return to work.
In addition, the vaccination rate of Vietnam’s textile and garment industry is still quite low, particularly in key production areas in the southwestern and southeastern provinces, he said.
VITAS and three other industry associations sent a memorandum to the prime minister proposing speeding up vaccinations or supporting businesses to buy vaccines to give to workers of export industries.
Up to 90% of supply chains in the sector are currently broken.
VITAS data shows the export value of the textile and garment industry reached $18.7 billion in the first six months of the year, while the target for the whole year is $39 billion.