The number of Vietnamese guest workers in Japan in the 2013-2017 period rose 461% compared to that in 2010-2013, followed by Taiwan and the Middles East with respective increases of 183% 120%.

A Vietnamese worker earned an average income of US$1,000-US$1,200/month in Japan and South Korea, marking the highest rate recoreded overseas in the 2010-2017 period, local media cited reports of the National Assembly (NA)’s Committee for Social Affairs as saying. 

The rate was reported at US$700-US$800/month in Taiwan (China) and US$400-US$600/month in the Middle East. 

The number of Vietnamese workers abroad reached 821,862 between 2010 and 2017. Since 2014, the number of people sent overseas amounted to 102,000/year, accounting for 7% of total workers joining the country’s workforce each year. 

The number of Vietnamese guest workers to Japan in the 2013-2017 period rose 461% compared to that in 2010-2013, followed by Taiwan with 183% and the Middles East 120%. 

Vietnamese workers abroad wire an amount of US$2-US$2.5 billion to the country annually and the remittance grew 6%-7%/year between 2010 and 2017. 

Chinese workers take the lead

The committee’s reports also mentioned the situation of foreign workers in Vietnam. By 2017, the country is home to 81,359 international workers, of them, 34.7% working as experts, 28.6% as managers, 18.1% as technicians, and 14.3% as executive officers. 

Among overseas workers in Vietnam, Chinese takes the lead among those from 110 countries, making up 30.9%, followed by South Korea with 18.3%, Taiwan 12.9%, and Japan 9.5%. 

Cautions raised 

The NA’s Committee for Social Affairs warned of a large number of unlicensed foreign workers in Vietnam, attributing legal loopholes to mismanagement. 

Regulations on visa grant and cumbersome procedures required for visa extension somewhat worsen the situation, leaving many foreign people staying in the country without work permits, the committee raised concerns.  

Meanwhile, experts at a workshop held in Ho Chi Minh City on November 13 said that qualifications of Vietnam’s workforce remain low compared with those in regional countries despite rising numbers going to work abroad. 

Associate Prof. Tran Van Thien, rector of Van Hien University, said that people working overseas would be more qualified once returning to the country. They bring back not only money but working style, improved skills, and better vocational training. 

But our workers need to improve their qualification to make Vietnam one of good manpower suppliers rather than a cheap provider for the past years, Mr. Tran noted. 

In fact, a large number of graduates must choose overseas jobs after having results in the domestic labor market or earning low salaries in the homeland. Working abroad for some people is the best way to prepare for the future while it becomes inaccessible for many others. 

As a result, many of them work for money rather than improving skills or disciplines, making them unqualified when their working contracts end, experts at the event raised concerns.   

Associate Prof. Nguyen Minh Duc from Van Hien University said that students and workers need to be positive to learn at work to be more qualified when returning home.  

Hanoitimes