Promising opportunities for worker exports

Illustration photo

Opening up new chances

Deputy Director of the Overseas Labor Management Department Tong Hai Nam was quoted as saying that in 2017 traditional market was stable, laying a firm foundation for the country to send more workers to work abroad in 2018.  

Last year, Viet Nam set a target of sending 105,000 workers abroad. However, in the first 11 months, the number of guest workers hit 118,859, outstripping the preset goal by 13.2%. This was the fourth consecutive year in which Viet Nam had over 100,000 guest workers. 

The Department estimated that in 2018, Viet Nam would enjoy more opportunities to raise the number. 

Japan was forecast as the most potential market as it will apply new policies such as signing five-year working contracts, opening more industries for guest workers, and offering higher minimum wage floor. Noticeably, in 2018 onwards, it will create more opportunities for Vietnamese engineers instead of only employment chances for unskilled workers. 

In a traditional market like Malaysia, so far, about 30,000 Vietnamese workers have been present there. The market is not so tough so there are opportunities  for laborers who are living in the far-reaching, remote, and ethnic minority areas.  

Other markets such as Thailand, Australia, and Saudi Arabia will open abundant opportunities for Vietnamese workers. Recently, Viet Nam and Thailand inked a memorandum of understanding on labor export. 

The Ministry of Labor, Invalids, and Social Affairs targets to send 100,000-120,000 workers to work abroad by 2020, of whom 80% will be trained.

VGP