HCM CITY – Many firms are willing to recruit labourers who have been affected by layoff at a footwear company in the Mekong Delta province of Trà Vinh.

Trịnh Minh Hùng, director of the provincial career centre, said that many firms were seeking up to some dozens of labourers.

To make it easier for firms to recruit manpower, the centre has organised meetings where the firms introduce their offers and the scope of work to potential labourers.

The demand for human resources is high and the salary is relatively attractive, the centre said, adding that labourers would receive extra benefits like incentives, accommodation and transportation.

Thạch Thị Thu Hà, president of the provincial Labour Union, said that many local firms needed to recruit 9,000 labourers while firms from neighbouring provinces were seeking 11,000 people to work in different fields such as textiles, leather footwear, and activated carbon.

Dương Quang Ngọc, deputy director of the provincial Department of Labour, Invalids and Social Affairs, said the department was working with agencies to train labourers for their new jobs.

Despite the help, firms have struggled to find enough manpower as many labourers prefer working close to home to help reduce accommodation and commuting costs while also being near their family.

Dư Thị Ngạ, a resident in Tân Hùng Commune, said she was content to receive great offers from some firms but was reluctant to take advantage of the opportunity because of her young child at home.

Provincial authorities have prioritised firms that are based in Trà Vinh, according to Hùng.

The centre is encouraging firms located in neighbouring provinces to further support labourers in accommodation and transportation costs.

Earlier, a Taiwanese footwear company called Mỹ Phong fired more than 10,000 workers just days ahead of the Tết (Lunar New Year) holiday which fell on February 5 as its partner in the US went bankrupt. Affected labourers were given Tết bonuses and their January salary, and were told how to claim social insurance and unemployment benefits. – VNS