People join a job fair in the northern mountainous province of Lai Châu that is held to look for people to work abroad. — VNA/VNS Photo Nguyễn Oanh

HÀ NỘI — Experts believe it is necessary to create favourable conditions for workers working abroad to return home and invest in production and business, creating jobs for themselves and others.

A report from the Ministry of Labour, Invalids and Social Affairs (MoLISA) showed that sending workers abroad has strongly improved in terms of both quality and quantity.

The labour market has been expanded, especially in countries that provide good income and working conditions, such as Japan and South Korea.

Many new markets have been opened, including Australia, New Zealand, Germany, the Czech Republic, Slovakia and Romania.

The number of Vietnamese workers abroad has increased steadily. Since 2014, it has been over 100,000 people per year.

In particular, from 2013 to 2021, Việt Nam sent nearly one million workers abroad.

The MoLISA said that international labour migration in general and labour migration in Southeast Asian (ASEAN) region has increased over the past decades.

Despite the COVID-19 pandemic, the overseas labour market has almost recovered, with the number of workers going abroad returning to pre-pandemic levels.

With experience in crisis response gained in the period, Việt Nam has made many innovations in policies to protect and promote Vietnamese workers’ rights when working abroad and taking advantage of the strengths that this experienced workforce can bring.

Deputy Minister of Labour, Invalids and Social Affairs Nguyễn Bá Hoan said that labourers working abroad had higher incomes than those working the same fields in the country, contributed significantly to the country's foreign currency reserve and improved the workers’ and their families' lives.

After returning home, this workforce becomes a good resource for the domestic economy and social development. It has been an important factor in spreading professionalism and labour discipline as well as been a cultural bridge between Việt Nam and the world.

Therefore, workers from abroad returning home needed to be used effectively to promote socio-economic development, he said.

Hoan emphasised the important role of the labour force returning to Việt Nam after working abroad.

The Party and the State always paid attention to, encouraged and created favourable conditions for them to work in Việt Nam, created jobs for themselves and others, he said.

Katherine Loh, an international labour expert, said that migrant workers returning home should be supported with welfare.

Their experience and knowledge gained during the working abroad process were very valuable. If supported, they would make significant contributions to the economy and social development, she said. — VNS