The once-attractive profession of protecting the forests has lost its appeal due to low salary, harsh working conditions and constant danger, leading to mass resignations.

According to the Forest Protection Department of the Central Highlands province of Kon Tum, more than 400 forest guards in the province resigned between early 2018 to March 2024, of which six came from the department, 222 from forest management boards and 175 from forestry companies.

It's not only young rangers who are quitting, but also those with years of experience in the field.

Nguyễn Văn Tiến, deputy director of Forest Protection Department of Kon Tum, said the job of a forest guard is demanding as they must work in remote areas, facing risks of accidents, such as landslides and falling trees, and resistance from aggressive poachers.

Despite this, the position is not classified as a hazardous occupation, meaning they do not receive adequate salary and benefits that ensure a decent living standard and reflect the demanding nature of their work.

The productivity-pay gap has resulted in many guards quitting for good or requesting transfers to other positions.

Tiến said that in Chư Mom Ray National Park, 96 forest guards take charge of 56,000 hectares of special-use forest.

Their average salary ranges from VNĐ3.5 million to VNĐ5 million (US$138 to $197) per month, which, he believes, is too low for today's cost of living. Consequently, 32 people have resigned since 2018.

Đào Xuân Thủy, director of Chư Mom Ray National Park Management Board, cited heavy workload and inadequate salary as the main reasons for the mass resignations.

He said current regulations stipulate an average 500-hectare area of forest per ranger, but they receive only a base salary without hazard or remote area allowances despite the arduous 24/7 schedule.

At Ngọc Hồi Forestry Company, which manages over 23,400 hectares bordering Laos and Cambodia with just 46 forest guards, four have handed in their notice since 2018 due to the vast areas and heavy workload.

More than 400 resignations over recent years has sounded an alarm, with stakeholders worried that without better policies to increase incomes, the exodus would continue.

Trần Ngọc Thanh Vũ, director of Ngọc Hồi Forestry Company, said that the current salary and benefits system for forest guards is inadequate.

It only meets their basic needs and is insufficient to support their families, leaving them unable to focus on their work.

He suggested establishing a new system with higher salaries, better benefits and additional support for hazardous working conditions and remote areas.

"Our employees told me they still love their jobs, yet they are left with no choice but to resign to take care of their families," said Vũ.

Deputy Director Tiến of the Forest Protection Department said his department was pressing hard for new favourable policies targeting the forest rangers, including promotion opportunities, earlier retirement ages, higher job entitlement and martyr status for duty-related death.

It was also urging the issuance of a decree on forestry investment to raise their income further. — VNS