Golden Hands: Vietnamese Rubber Workers Innovate for Better Conditions

In Vietnam's rubber industry, "golden hands" like To Trung Giang and Pham Van Tien are not just skilled laborers but also innovators. Their contributions are significantly improving safety and efficiency for their colleagues.

To Trung Giang, a rubber tapping management worker at Tay Ninh Rubber Joint Stock Company, has been lauded for his "golden hand" award and national recognition. He developed an ingenious solution: a roller system to install rain shields on rubber trees. Previously, workers had to climb ladders to attach these shields, a strenuous and dangerous task, especially during the rainy season. Giang's roller system allows workers to install the shields from the ground, saving time and significantly reducing the risk of falls.

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The rain shields are high up. If workers have to climb ladders up and down, it's very tiring. During the rainy season, it's dangerous and easy to fall. I came up with the idea of using a roller, so I can stand on the ground and rotate the roller along the tapping mouth of the tree. This way is both fast, safe, and saves time for everyone.

Pham Van Tien, a worker at Tan Bien Rubber Joint Stock Company, exemplifies creative labor with five implemented innovations. He devised a method to reduce the need for multiple workers and conveyor belts in latex processing by repurposing old iron tanks. This "urine tank" system, as he calls it, streamlines the SVR10 latex processing, boosting productivity. Tien also created a system for integrated management of latex processing, from raw material to finished product, improving data management and traceability. Another innovation, adding a suction chamber to the end of the drying furnace, helps stabilize the final product's temperature and quality.

These "golden hands" are turning their ingenuity towards improving the lives of their fellow workers. Bui Van Tu, another worker at Tan Bien Rubber, invented a lifting device for filter screens at the latex transfer tank. This invention eliminates the need for workers to climb ladders and handle heavy, slippery materials, further enhancing workplace safety and comfort.

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Starting from the difficulties in managing and processing latex, requiring two workers and a conveyor belt to work. I suggested to the leadership and tinkered with recycling old iron tanks to improve and integrate into the production process. It's called a "urine tank". It reduces the need for one worker and greatly increases productivity in the SVR10 latex processing.