Vedan offers half compensation deal

HA NOI — Taiwanese MSG maker Vedan, which discharged untreated wastewater into the southern Thi Vai River two years ago, has raised its compensation offer to complaining farmers.

But the offer of VND130 billion (US$6.8 million), revealed by the company's lawyer Hoang Nhu Vinh yesterday, is just slightly more that half the VND218 billion ($11.5million) the farmers want.

The lawyer said the offer was:VND30 billion ($1.57 million) for HCM City farmers; VND40 billion ($2.1 million) for Ba Ria – Vung Tau Province farmers and VND60 billion ($3.14 million) for Dong Nai Province farmers.

The HCM City farmers want VND53 billion (US$2.7 million); the Ba Ria – VuÕng Tau Province farmers VND45.7 billion ($2.4 million) and the farmers of Dong Nai Province VND119 billion ($6.2 million)..

Previously, Vedan offered VND6 billion ($315,000) and then VND10 billion ($526,000) to farmers in Ba Ria Vung Tau Province.

In response, the provincial People's Committee said negotiations could begin when Vedan met the farmer demand of VND53 billion ($2.7 million)

A writ seeking compensation for the Ba Ria – Vung Tau farmers was lodged with the Tan Thanh District People's Court last Tuesday.

Farmers in HCM City were offered VND7 billion; VND12 million and then VND16 million ($820,000).

The company initially offered the Dong Nai farmers VND7 billion before going to VND30 billion ($1.57 million).

The company had forwarded the revised offer to the farmers and their representatives, Vedan's lawyer said.

But HCM City and Dong Nai farmers were also preparing legal action against Vedan, said HCM City Farmers Association deputy president Nguyen Van Phung and Dong Nai Farmers Association deputy president Tran Van Quang.

Minister of Natural Resources and Environment Pham Khoi Nguyen pledged support for the farmers yesterday.

Money for legal costs would be drawn from the Environment Protection Fund, he told a meeting to find ways to help the farmers with their legal proceedings against Vedan. — VNS