Workers studying Korean at the Employment Service Centre of the Thái Bình Province's Department of Labour, Invalids and Social Affairs before going abroad for work. — VNA/VNS Photo Thế Duyệt

HÀ NỘI — The first quarter of 2024 witnessed a significant surge in Vietnamese workers venturing abroad for employment, with a staggering 35,933 individuals seeking opportunities overseas. 

Statistics from various enterprises highlight the enduring appeal of nations like Japan, Taiwan (China), South Korea and several European countries as key destinations. 

These numbers show that sending workers abroad isn't just about jobs - it's a key strategy for boosting both employment and socioeconomic development.

Thiên Lộc Commune in Can Lộc District, Hà Tĩnh Province, boasting a population exceeding 7,500, serves as a notable contributor to the overseas workforce.

Presently, 1,367 residents are engaged in employment abroad, with key markets including Germany, France, the Czech Republic, South Korea and Japan.

Many other areas in Hà Tĩnh Province also have a significant number of people working abroad. 

Over the past 10 years, Hà Tĩnh Province has had over 80,550 contract workers abroad, averaging over 7,500 annually. 

In 2023 alone, more than 12,000 people from the province went to work abroad, mainly in traditional labour markets like Taiwan (China), Japan and South Korea.

According to data from the Hà Tĩnh Province's Department of Labour, Invalids and Social Affairs, contract workers abroad from the province typically earn a total of between VNĐ6.8-7 trillion (US$272-280 million) annually. 

A substantial portion of this income, exceeding VNĐ4 trillion ($160 million), is remitted back home in foreign currency. 

These remittances play a pivotal role in catalysing economic development, fostering entrepreneurship, supporting cooperative ventures, and financing initiatives aimed at poverty reduction, rural development and social welfare programs across the province.

In the coming years, Hà Tĩnh Province plans to send around 8,000 workers overseas annually, expanding beyond traditional markets to include countries like Germany, Russia, Australia, Israel and other European nations.

In Thái Bình Province, the drive to send local workers abroad has yielded significant economic and social gains. Each year, remittances back home total over US$83 million, primarily from returning workers with valuable skills and professionalism, notably from markets like Japan and South Korea.

The province has recently experimented with sending seasonal workers to South Korea, with 105 people from three districts of Quỳnh Phụ, Vũ Thư and Kiến Xương. 

Some exceptional workers have even secured long-term contracts, reflecting positively on Vietnamese labour quality and boosting confidence among foreign employers.

The initiative to send Vietnamese workers abroad, seen in provinces like Hà Tĩnh and Thái Bình, has long been a government priority.

Efforts focus on safe, high-paying sectors, particularly benefiting workers from disadvantaged regions. 

In 2023, Việt Nam sent over 159,000 workers abroad, surpassing targets by 33.3 per cent. 

The Ministry of Labour, Invalids and Social Affairs (MoLISA) facilitates deployments through non-profit programmes and expands negotiations with partners in South Korea, Germany and Australia to widen opportunities.

In 2024, MoLISA sets its sights on dispatching 125,000 workers overseas under contracts, with a keen focus on established markets like Japan, Taiwan (China) and South Korea. 

The demand for foreign labour in South Korea, Japan and Germany is on the rise, creating favourable conditions for ongoing and future programmes.

During a recent session of the National Assembly, the minister of MoLISA Đào Ngọc Dung revealed that, in line with the laws on sending Vietnamese workers abroad, an average of 120,000 to 143,000 Vietnamese citizens head abroad for employment annually, generating an impressive yearly revenue of approximately $3.5 - 4 billion.

Vietnamese workers going through immigration procedures at Incheon Airport, South Korea. — VNA/VNS Photo

Enhancing labour management

The Department of Overseas Labour Management reported that, according to enterprise data, March 2024 saw a total of 12,738 Vietnamese workers deployed overseas. 

Overall, the first quarter of 2024 witnessed over 35,930 workers venturing abroad under contract agreements. 

Mainstay markets such as Japan and Taiwan (China) continue to dominate in receiving Vietnamese workers, alongside other significant destinations like South Korea, China, Singapore, Romania, Thailand, Thailand, Saudi Arabia and Hungary.

Despite positive results, Vietnamese labourers abroad confront various challenges, including contract violations and illegal residency in countries like South Korea, Taiwan (China) and Japan, driven by the desire for prolonged stays and higher earnings compared to contractual work.

In response to these issues, in 2023, the MoLISA temporarily suspended the recruitment of workers under the Employment Permit System (EPS) for eight districts across four provinces due to difficulties in repatriating workers upon contract expiration.

In Romania, a crucial market hosting nearly 11,000 Vietnamese workers, visa procedures are streamlined and demand for foreign labour is high. 

However, recent cases of contract absconding and illicit migration to other countries tarnish the reputation of Vietnamese workers. 

MoLISA issued a directive in early 2024 urging enterprises to tackle the problem seriously.

Enterprises sending workers to Romania are required to educate them about contract absconding risks and the importance of complying with local laws. Additionally, they must review data on absconded workers by hometown to devise tailored recruitment strategies for future deployments.

Recently, the government unveiled a plan to implement Directive 20-CT/TW from the Party Central Committee, aiming to strengthen Party leadership in sending Vietnamese workers abroad. 

This plan not only outlines strategies for overseas deployment but also emphasises measures to bolster legal compliance among workers, curb law violations and illegal residency, and improve coordination mechanisms to address emerging challenges. — VNS