Cardinal Marx, archbishop of Munich and Freising, visits Tatonka’s Open Factory in Vietnam
On Friday, January 15th, 2016 Reinhard Cardinal Marx, archbishop of Munich and Freising and chairman of the German Episcopal Conference visited Tatonka’s Open Factory together with a delegation of ten.
The prominent visitor announced his attendance by surprise: Within the scope of a nine day Vietnam trip the German archbishop wanted to inform himself personally about the working conditions in the factory. He invested two hours of his valuable time for the inspection of Mountech Co. Ltd. and a subsequent conversation.
Round tour through the factory
After the official reception of the delegation – the company owner Andreas Schechinger transmitted his sincere welcome speech virtually – Cardinal Marx was looking for personal conversations. During an approximately one hour tour through the factory the contributors of the several compartments demonstrated and explained their work. The clergy asked about the wages, social benefits and holiday entitlements and was also very interested in the manufacturing processes. For example, he attentively followed the darning of a waist belt.
Discussions concerning the labor laws
The subsequent discussion with state union representatives and Mountech employees focused on labor law provisions and their implementations in the Mountech factory. The cardinal asked the workers about their personal life situations. Finally he thanked everyone for the open-minded discussion atmosphere and seemed to be very impressed by the free exchange of views.
Episcopal blessings
Cardinal Marx gladly complied with the request for a prayer of blessing and emphasized that he would pray for every Mountech worker, regardless of the religion. To some catholic employees he even issued the blessing personally. This encounter with the warm and friendly archbishop from Germany will be remembered as a precious experience, not only for the catholic Christians amongst the Mountech contributors.
