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They had helped with registration papers and the city was supplying US$75 every three months to each adult. But the family needed a boat as a home and for employment. It and equipment would cost US$10,000, although the head of household said it would be difficult to repay a loan.
Interview 4 (volunteer returnee currently in Hanoi)
18.
This family comprised parents and one child. Before departing for Hong Kong they had lived at the wife's parents' home in Hanoi where the head of household was a metalworker employed in a metalworking shop. The family had suffered no persecution from the Vietnamese authorities, but hoped that if they went to Hong Kong life would improve. They did not know what they would do after that. The family paid about US$700 in gold for their passage on a 30 ton boat with 92 passengers. They left Vietnam on 14 April 1989 and arrived in Hong Kong on 19 May.
19.
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While in the camps in Hong Kong they were, according to the head of household, told nothing about the volunteer programme. was their own decision to return - made because they were homesick. Others in the camp had tried to dissuade them, but there was no organised campaign by the Vietnamese in the camps, or by outsiders, to do so. During their interviews in Hong Kong (presumably as part of the voluntary programme) the family were told that, if they had problems on their return to Vietnam, the authorities there would help. They were also told they would receive US$50 per head, (US$30 per child), which was given to them before they left the camp.
20. The head of household was not worried about finding a job on his return. As a metalworker he had a skill and, since returning to Vietnam on 28 October 1989 has found a job. He and his family have returned to his parents-in-law's home. They have no complaints against the Vietnamese authorities. The Ministry of Labour and Social Welfare has been helpful. The wife is already receiving monthly support from the Hanoi authorities and the head of household should receive similar help when his home province has processed his registration Į pers.
Interview 5 (volunteer returnee currently in Hanoi)
21. This individual voluntary returnee was a factory worker from 1982-87. In 1987 he left his job and went to his native village to tend his father's grave. On his return to Hanoi, the enterprise authorities there refused to give him his job back and he remained unemployed until he left for Hong Kong on about 26 February 1989. His decision to go was a secret which he kept from his wife and mother. Apart from unemployment, he was also escaping heavy debt. Friends persuaded him to go and he paid them about US$500 in Vietnamese dong for a passage on their boat. He was seized by police on arrival and sent to Teng Chau, which he recalled for its barbed wire 5-7 metres in height. He accused the authorities of mistreating boat people.
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