Compulsory labour 'to be popular'

Vietnam's new forced labour drive will enjoy wide-ranging support from people of all walks of life, the Foreign Ministry claimed last night.

'Our philosophy is that no matter how hard the task is, it will be fulfilled with the participation of the people,' said ministry spokesman Tran Quang Hoan in the first official comment on the scheme.

'Our purpose is to maximise peoples' contributions to public services works . . . it is a proposal that will be providing jobs for millions of people.' 'Volunteers' would be encouraged, but Mr Hoan confirmed people would face certain labour 'obligations' to help rebuild Vietnam's shattered infrastructure.

When asked about penalties for resisters, he said 'necessary measures' would be taken.

Laws being drafted call for men aged 18 to 45 and women between 18 and 40 to annually 'donate' labour or cash equal to 10 days' work.

Prime Minister Vo Van Kiet has already proposed using draftees on an ambitious plan to build a new north-south superhighway down the mountain tracks that formed the famous Ho Chi Minh Trail.