Garment workers in a processing factory for export in Bình Chánh District, HCM City. VNA/VNS Photo Hồng Đạt

HCM CITY – The labour market in the key economic region in the South has showed signs of revival in 2024, with businesses constantly recruiting new workers to meet upcoming orders.

However, challenges still persist. Strengthening forecasting efforts and creating favourable conditions in supply-demand connection is key to implementing fundamental and long-term solutions for the development of the labour market.

According to the Employment Service Centre of the southern province of Đồng Nai, in the first month of the new year, the labour market still records recruitment needs from some enterprises.

Elite Limited Company in Lộc An-Bình Sơn Industrial Zone in Long An Commune, Long Thành District is recruiting 1,500 garment workers and some office staff, machine maintenance workers and cutters. Hwaseung Vina Company Limited in Nhơn Trạch 1 Industrial Zone in Nhơn Trạch District is recruiting 1,000 labourers. Greentech Headgear Company Limited in Nhơn Trạch 2 Industrial Zone in Nhơn Trạch District is recruiting 30 garment workers and some packaging workers, workers in finished goods warehouses, raw material warehouses and office staff.

The HCM City’s Employment Service Centre reports that in January, they received labour recruitment demand from 118 enterprises, organisations and individuals, with a total demand for about 21,000 positions. Many units and individuals need common labourers in positions such as packing, delivery and household assistance, to meet the labour demand for the Lunar New Year.

Analysing the labour market in the first months of the year and throughout 2024, Trần Anh Tuấn, an expert in labour demand forecasting and deputy chairman of the HCM City’s Vocational Education Association, predicted that in 2024, the country strives to achieve a GDP growth rate of 6-6.5 per cent. HCM City, the core of the key economic region in the South, sets a target for the local Gross Regional Domestic Product (GRDP) growth rate from 7.5-8 per cent.

To achieve this growth rate, in 2024, businesses and units continue to make efforts in production and business, and consequently promote the labour market. However, the labour market in the country, specifically in the key economic region in the South, will still face challenges, influenced by the global situation, at least until the end of the third quarter of 2024.

Forecasting the labour market

In many localities in the key economic region in the South such as HCM City and Bình Dương, Long An, and Đồng Nai provinces, relevant units are actively conducting surveys and forecasts for the development of a flexible and effective labour market.

Huỳnh Lê Như Trang, deputy director of the city’s Department of Labour, War Invalids and Social Affairs, said in 2024, the city is focusing on supportive measures to create employment, connect labour supply and demand, and enhance the quality of job transaction platforms.

At the same time, relevant units are actively improving their capacity, and intensifying forecasting efforts for labour demand and business training needs.

Organisations are actively promoting awareness for businesses to adhere to safety and occupational hygiene regulations, complying with Labour Law and related documents concerning labour usage, aiming to promote harmonious and stable labour relations and ensure the rights and benefits of workers.

Graduates are introduced to various job positions at the Job Fair organised in December 2023. VNA/VNS Photo Đức Hạnh

The HCM City Centre of Forecasting Manpower Needs and Labour predicted that in 2024, local businesses will need around 300,000 - 320,000 job positions, with a focus on commerce, services, industry, construction, agriculture and fisheries.

Among these, the demand for trained labour remains high, accounting for approximately 87 per cent of total recruitment demand.

The Department of Labour, War Invalids and Social Affairs of Bình Dương Province stated that the local industrial development, with 29 industrial zones and 12 industrial clusters in operation, continued to facilitate job seekers and ensure quality labour for businesses.

Currently, the Employment Service Centre is enhancing information connectivity, assisting workers in accessing job positions, upgrading online transaction platforms, and continuing to connect and exchange information of labour demand with localities in the southwestern region, the Central Highlands and the northern mountainous region.

According to the Department of Labour, War Invalids and Social Affairs of Long An Province, to develop an effective labour market, the province continues to enhance investment promotion activities, resolve difficulties for businesses, especially in import-export activities, and support businesses in maintaining and stabilising production orders.

The locality is actively implementing administrative reforms, creating a transparent, attractive investment and business environment for investors, especially international corporations with strong product brands.

Relevant units in the province are closely monitoring the labour market, enhancing supervision of the construction and implementation of labour utilisation plans in accordance with legal regulations, ensuring that the rights of workers are not affected. The province continues to implement activities to support workers who lose their jobs and encounter difficulties.

In Long An Province, the number of labourers working in various economic sectors is over 982,000 people, with about 370,000 workers employed in formal business sectors. – VNS