HÀ NỘI — An agreement to allow Vietnamese workers to work in Japan in the sectors of hotel and accommodation services was signed on Friday in Hà Nội.

The ceremony was held by the Vietnamese Ministry of Labour, Invalids and Social Affairs and the Japan Ryokan and Hotel Association.

The agreement sealed a co-operation memorandum which was signed in Tokyo on July 1 this year. The memorandum was signed by Minister of Labour, Invalids and Social Affairs Đào Ngọc Dung and leaders of Japanese ministries and sectors, including justice, foreign affairs, health, labour, social welfare and police. The workers will work for 14 different sectors in Japan such as accommodation services, construction, ship building, agriculture, food, restaurants and fisheries.

Under the agreement signed on Friday, Vietnamese workers will be allowed to work in Japan for five years with a salary based on Japanese regulations. 

Speaking at the signing ceremony, Deputy Minister of Labour, Invalids and Social Affairs Lê Tấn Dũng said the agreement not only created job opportunities for skillful workers, but also connected the domestic labour market with an international giant.

It would also spur cooperation, especially in labour, vocational training and technology transfer between the two countries, he said.

A report from the Department of Overseas Labour showed that last year alone, the total number of trainees sent to Japan reached nearly 70,000, accounting for more than 50 per cent of the number of workers admitted by Japan. 

At present, nearly 200,000 Vietnamese trainees are working in Japan. — VNS