VietNamNet Bridge – The Government will give enterprises that sent guest workers to Libya half the refunds they had to pay returnees, according to deputy minister of Labour, Invalids and Social Affairs Nguyen Thanh Hoa.

This means that Vietnamese who worked in Libya for less than six months on February 15 will receive further aid apart from the initial amount of VND1 million (US$48.5) they received immediately on their return to Viet Nam.

The ministry plans to provide the workers with between VND2 and VND8 million ($97-388) depending on the duration of their jobs.

The aid will come from the Overseas Employment Support Fund as well as donations from other organisations and individuals. Workers who had contributed to the fund will receive the full amount.

Nguyen Van Hiep, director of Vinaconex Trading and Manpower Joint Stock Company, said any help from the Government was important to his enterprise.

"No-one s¨aw the war coming. I am glad the Government will share the burden with us," he said yesterday, Aug 3.

Hiep said each worker had to pay his company a commission fee from $400 to $500 to be able to work in Libya for a monthly salary from $220 to $260.

According to the contract, those who worked for less than a year would receive half back.

The financial aid provided by the Government will help the company finalise contract liquidation for about 1,600 out of 2,600 workers. Most of the remainder had already worked for more than a year in Libya and had received refunds of VND5 million ($243).

The ministry asked involved companies to quickly submit lists of beneficiaries to the Department of Overseas Labour for consideration.

The department promised to review the list and transfer any funds to the companies within five working days.

More than 10,000 Vietnamese guest workers have returned home from Libya since the civil war broke out in March.

VietNamNet/Viet Nam News