DA NANG, Jan 19 (VNA) – Several export and processing companies in the central province of Da Nang have allowed their workers to leave for the Tet holiday from January 17, a week earlier compared to the Government’s official holiday time.

The move followed a reduction of export contracts and low purchasing power in the domestic market, said Nguyen Ngoc Tri, director of the Vietnam Textile and Garment Group (Vinatex) in Da Nang.

Tri said his company just operated perfunctorily in recent months due to a fall in export orders.

Some companies have already suspended their production, and are cleaning up their machinery and workshops.

Workers said that contrary to previous years, when they had to work day and night to meet the high number of orders before Tet, they are mostly idle now.

Several enterprises in Hoa Khanh Industrial Zone have also cut their workforce.

Groups of workers are seen scattered along the section of High way 1A going through the city, ready to take the trip to their hometowns.

Tran Thanh, director of Computer Salvage Centre 911 in Da Nang, said that last year several of the province’s IT companies launched “computer rescue” and network security services around the clock during Tet – even during New Year’s eve.

However, this year they plan to cut back on these services during Tet due to the expected drop in demand. Thanh added that he would close his operation by January 21.

Nguyen Nguyen Long, director of an event organising company, said his firm would stop work for the Tet holiday before January 21 (December 26 in the lunar calendar) and resume work on February 2 (January 8 in lunar calendar).

He is worried as the company has not signed any new contracts for business after Tet.

Tri said that last year was difficult for enterprises and challenges would continue in 2009 due to the negative impacts stemming from the global economic crisis.

A leader of Da Nang city’s trade union said enterprises would face a severe shortage of labourers after Tet as many workers are expected to return to their homes and not come back.(VNA)