Foreigners work on a project in Vietnam. Some amendments to regulations on foreign laborers in Vietnam seem unreasonable

The federation on June 18 held a conference to gather comments on the draft revised Labor Law.

Thuan objected to a provision that enterprises must explain their demands for foreign laborers and must get approval from State agencies to employ these laborers. The regulation will put pressure on both employers and laborer management agencies, Thuan said.

It is hard for the competent agencies to evaluate enterprises' needs for employees as these demands may change regularly.

Another provision that foreigners’ work permits are valid for a maximum of two years and can be extended once for another two years is also unnecessary, he said.

Under the prevailing regulations, the number of work permit extensions is not restricted.

Therefore, the regulation seems to go against the global trend, as laborers tend to travel through regional countries for work. Moreover, many projects require the participation of foreign experts and may take longer than four years to complete, Thuan said. SGT

Vietnam to lack 400,000 IT workers by 2020

Vietnam will need an additional 400,000 information technology (IT) personnel by 2020, heard a forum on information and communications technology (ICT) human resources held in Hanoi on Saturday.

High demand for skilled workers

Truong Anh Dung, Deputy Director General of the General Department of Vocational Training, under the Ministry of Labour, War Invalids and Social Affairs, talks to Economic and Urban Affairs newspaper on the high demand for skilled workers.

Property developers in Vietnam not keen on workers’ housing

Developers in the south are ignoring the workers’ housing segment despite the huge demand for it, analysts said.