issue 49 - AsiaLIFE Magazine

people matterDiscrimination at WorkBy Gary WoollacottThe other day I was readingan article about a Thai manwho had worked diligently athis clerical job for many yearsand then was dismissed withoutwarning. He hadn’t comeup against any obstacles tocarrying out his work; therewas nothing wrong with hisperformance. Nor had hemade any mistakes that justifiedsacking him. His offence?After a routine medical checkhe had discovered he hadbecome HIV-positive, and thecompany had also learned ofit. This led to his dismissal.Shocking you would think,in this day and age, butthere’s more. He went onto apply to another company,was offered the job andsigned a contract. Anothermedical check after startingwork, the same results (ofcourse) and he then lost thatjob, and again at anothercompany. Those companies’actions are contrary to Thai(and many other countries’)law and – for most of us, Ihope – contrary to commondecency. Reading this, all Icould think of was to help theman. If I can, I intend to getin touch with him and helphim get a new job. Employersdon’t need to know, andshouldn’t care, about medicalstatus.This kind of discriminationis all too prevalent, due mostlyto an uninformed public thatexhibits a knee-jerk reactionto things that they don’tunderstand. It happens allover the world, sadly, in areasrelated to age, health, skincolour, sexuality and a dozenother factors. That's why wehave laws to prevent individualsbeing disadvantagedpurely based on things thatare beyond our control. Whatwould you have done? Whatdo you do?One small gesture that wemake at Opus is in the areaof medical insurance. Whenan associate is entitled tomedical cover, there's a formthat we have to counter-sign.The typical way is for the employeeto complete the form– which details medical history– and then give it to themanager. In my view that's aninvasion of privacy. I insist onsigning the form first so thatmy colleague can completeit knowing that their personalinformation will only be shownto the insurance company. Doyou do the same?As usual, let me know ifyou have any particular topicyou would like to see coveredhere.Gary Woollacott is the CEO ofOpus executive search in Vietnamand Thailand. He can bereached at +84 8 3827 8209or via gary@opusasia.net.Opus is a partner of HortonInternational.sells a range of appealing handmadeproducts created by underprivilegedwomen in Binh Thuan Province.Minh Boutique15 Nguyen Thiep, D1Lacquerware pieces, tea boxes, teapotwarmers, ice buckets and sake drinkingsets all handmade in Vietnam. Also sellsa range of silverware, egg holders andice tongs.OUT-2 STUDIOL6 Fafilm annex6 Thai Van Lung, D1 Tel: 3825 6056STUDIO@OUT-2.comwww.out-2.comStudio space for independent designersto showcas their wares, sell their workand meet with clients. Open Monday tSaturday 10 am to 6 pm.Phuong Mai213C Dong Khoiwww.phuongmai-gallery.comGallery specializing in original oils byVietnamese artists. The works here are amish-mash of styles but do contain somestandouts, particularly well-known localartists La Hon, Quy Tam and Pham Trinh.Sapa125 Ho Tung Mau, D1Offers a better selection of hill tribehandicrafts than most of its rivals.Concentrates mainly on the hand-wovenclothing of the indigenous tribespeople ofthe region. There is also a line in ladies’shoes and the standard range of silkwraps and bags.Unity12 Dang Tran Con, D1 Tel: 3823 9375Unity offers accessories that are designedto seamlessly blend in with yourlife. Familiar basics are given a contemporaryupdate with the use of modern,alternative materials like silicone, rubber,and brushed aluminum. From orbitallamps and eggshell-white china, to wireclaspedwater bottles, each individualpiece complements the others in thecollection—to give your home a senseof Unity.ELECTRONICSHi End Audio84 Ho Tung Mau, D1A standout that stocks the very latestand greatest in home entertainment.Retails in everything from giant plasmascreenTVs to audio equipment. Mosttop brands are available.iDEAS Shopping Centre133-141AB Cach Mang Thang Tam, D3The largest of the electonics storesalong the street, the three-storey iDEASsells every type of electronic and homeappliance imaginable. Offers proper warranties.Staff speaks some English.Nguyen Kim Shopping Centre63-65 Tran Hung Dao, D1Tel: 3821 1211www.nguyenkim.comStocks DVD/CD players, cameras,TVs, hi-fis and more from Sony, Sanyo,Panasonic, Philips and other majormanufacturers. Also a good place to pickup electronic kitchen supplies like coffeemakers and rice cookers, as well as largeand small appliances, from hot waterheaters to regrigerators.Phong Vu125 Cach Mang Thang Tam, D1Tel: 6290 8777www.vitinphongvu.comTwo-storey electronics store retails ininternational products convenientlygrouped by brand. Carries computers,home audio, printers, hard drives andmore, as well as a variety of mobilephones, handheld electronic devices andaccessories.Savico117 Ho Tung Mau, D1 Tel: 3821 7993One-stop electronics and home appliancesuperstore. All products have aone to three-year warranty.Tech StreetHuynh Thuc Khang Street betweenTon That Dam and Nguyen Hue, D1Sells compact discs, DVDs, electronicmoney counters, video games andsystems, Discmans, mp3 players andportable DVD players.FURNITUREAppeal41 Ton That Thiep, D1 Tel: 3821 5258A small, upscale shop that offers modernaccents for the sleek dining room.The colours of the over-sized vases andfruit bowls are either glistening red orlacquered black.AustinHome20 Thao Dien, D2 Tel: 3519 0023Outstanding quality and style for yourhome. The shop says its products arehand-picked by an American furnitureexpert from the best factories in Vietnam.Upholstery, accessories, antiquesand more.Catherine Denoual15C Thi Sach, D1 Tel: 3823 9394Beautiful showroom with clean linesand a sumptuous array of bedroomproducts including bedside lamps,linens, pillowcases and duvet covers.Decosy112 Xuan Thuy, D2 Tel: 6281 9917Producer of a large selection of Europeanstyled furniture and interior fittings,specializing in wrought iron and patine(distressed) wood finishes. Also stocksa wide-range of decorative accessories,crockery and fixtures. Custom designservices available upon request.El Gallery23 Ly Tu Trong, D1 Tel: 3824 8306Traditional decor with a modern twist.Offers a variety of mid- to high-rangefurniture, rugs, lighting, art and accessoriesfrom around the world, plusinterior design services. Also importsfurniture to Vietnam for export toEurope and the United States.Esthetic11 Nguyen Huu Canh, Binh ThanhTel: 3514 7371/7372Fax: 3514 7370esthetic@vnn.vnwww.estheticfurnishing.com.vnDesign and manufacture as orderwith a mixture of antique and modernfurniture. Friendly staff speak excellentEnglish.Furniture Outlet3A Ton Duc Thang, D1Tel: 2243 7955/3911 0104Wide selection of well-crafted andcarefully constructed pine wood piecesat good prices, aimed at customerscraving a taste of Europe.Furniture StreetNgo Gia Tu, D10 between Ly Thai Toand Nguyen Chi ThanhVery affordable furniture can be foundon this stretch: couches, mattresses,desks, chairs, etc. It often takes somelooking to find a gem. A connectedsidestreet, Ba Hat, features woodworkers’shops.Gaya1 Nguyen Van Trang, D1Tel: 3925 1495www.gayavietnam.comFour-floor store featuring the work offoreign designers: home accessoriesand outdoor furniture by Lawson Johnston,linens by Corinne Leveilley-Dadda,furniture and lighting by Quasar Khanh,laquerware decor by Michele De Albertand furniture and decor by vivekkevin.72 asialife HCMC