According to the Ho Chi Minh City Department of Labour, Invalids and Social Affairs, the number of foreigners coming to the city to work has increased considerably in recent times, posing significant challenges to the management of this workforce.

Last year saw the city grant work permits to 18,761 foreigners, including nearly 12,000 new work permits approved, nearly 1,500 work permits re-issued, and 4,650 cases extended.

Currently, there are approximately 27,500 foreign workers with valid work permits, working at nearly 9,500 agencies, organizations and businesses in the city.

However, authorities said there is still a lack of data connection between management agencies in charge of social insurance, taxation, business registration, and security, in the management of foreign workers locally.

Several organizations and businesses are found employing foreign workers not in accordance with the issued work permits. Some foreigners enter Vietnam for the initial purpose of travel, then decide to stay in Vietnam to work, causing difficulties for management agencies.

The Ho Chi Minh City Department of Labour, Invalids and Social Affairs proposed increased collaboration among management agencies to monitor foreigners working and living in the city. It will coordinate more closely with immigration authorities to exchange information on the status of work permit issuance in the service of visa extension.

Source: VOV