Duong Thi Thai and her husband, Nguyen Van Khoi, work in Ho Chi Minh City at the Freetrend Ltd. factory, a series of low-slung buildings where, on any given day, nearly 20,000 people labor. There the couple make shoes, earning about VND 10 million ($445) per month, which, while certainly better than not having a job, leaves them near the bottom of Vietnam’s wage scale. After getting married in 2009, Thai says, they hoped to buy a few basic appliances for their new one-room apartment. For the…
To read this article and start a full year of unlimited online access, subscribe now!
Subscribe Now
Already a subscriber?
Login
Need to register for your premium online access,which is included with your paid subscription?
Register Now
Support SSIR’s coverage of cross-sector solutions to global challenges.
Help us further the reach of innovative ideas. Donate today.
Read more stories by Brandon Keim.