ĐÀ NẴNG — Ensuring social security, knowledge and stable incomes for workers is a top priority for Cambodia, Laos, Myanmar, Thailand and Việt Nam, Deputy Minister of  Labour, Invalids and Social Affairs, Doãn Mậu Diệp, said yesterday.

He spoke at the opening of a Senior Officials Meeting (SOM) from these countries in central Đà Nẵng City.

He said the meeting of the so-called CLMTV (Cambodia, Laos, Myanmar, Thailand, Việt Nam) forum played an important role in the context of the rising number of migrant workers in the five countries.

“The co-operation among CLMTV nations has achieved sustainable prosperity goals and boosted integration and economic connections. Migrant workers make considerable contributions to countries’ economic growth and sustainable development, but it also presents challenges for nations in dealing with human resources management and training, as well as related problems,” Diệp said.

Việt Nam hopes representatives of the relevant countries, the International Labour Organisation and the International Organisation of Migration will discuss and review achievements in vocational training, prevention of human trafficking and illegal migrant labour, as well as legal support and worker protection.

Diệp said the meeting would be an opportunity to focus on migrant worker safety and related challenges ahead of the Ministerial Declaration at today’s CLMTV Ministers Meeting.

Acording to Dr Nguyễn Hổng Minh from Việt Nam’s General Department of Vocational Training Việt Nam has 53 million employees, 22 per cent of them are trained workers with diplomas or certificates.

But the rate of skilled workers with vocational training is only 38.5 per cent, considered low. According to a report issued last year, the country had nearly 2,000 vocational training centres in which 2.2 million students were enrolled.

Participants also joined discussions on promotion of legal cross-border employment and bilateral agreements, addressing the root causes of irregular migration and unprotected migrant workers.

Participants agreed on the need to raise awareness of their people of safe labour immigration, rights, benefits, responsibilities and obligations. Migrant workers should undergo courses on employment contracts, language, culture, discipline, and laws in destination countries.  — VNS