Vietnam General Confederation of Labor gave VND13 billion (US$623,000) to fishermen in seven central provinces on Saturday, so that they can continue to fish along Hoang Sa (Paracel) and Truong Sa (Spratly) Islands.
The money will be used for building boats and purchasing fishing nets and other such equipment.
An Hai Fisheries Trade Union in Ly Son District of Quang Ngai Province will be provided funds to build a 550CV fishing boat costing VND3 billion, and about 72 fishermen will be provided with new fishing nets and fishing equipment.
Hoang Ngoc Thanh, deputy chairman of Vietnam General Confederation of Labor, said that labor unions and local authorities in provinces and cities have been asked to deliver the money to fishermen operating in and around Hoang Sa and Truong Sa Islands.
A total of VND31.5 billion (US$1.51 million) has been raised for fishermen in the central region so far. This money will be spent on building fishing boats, purchasing fishing equipment, building houses for poor fishermen, giving scholarships to their children and assisting families with relatives who died while fishing in Truong Sa and Hoang Sa Islands.
