Deputy Head Tong Hai Nam of the OLMD recently sat down with a VOV reporter to share his thoughts on issues surrounding labour exports.

Following are key translated excerpts capturing the gist of the interview.

This year’s labour export target has been fulfilled ahead of schedule. Can you elaborate on the major markets of Vietnam for workers?

Mr Nam: This year, Vietnam set a target to send 95,000 workers overseas, however as of the end of October that target has already been surpassed by more than 4,000 workers. This is good news.

I now believe that the number of workers this year will even go higher than last year’s figure of 106,000.

Two major markets – Taiwan (China) and Japan – accounted for 80% of the total number.

More than 59,000 workers went to Taiwan in the 10 months leading up to November and I have hopes that the figure will exceed the record high numbers set last year.

The Japanese market experienced high growth.

Last year, only 19,000 workers went to Japan in the ten month period, but this year's figure rose to 21,000 workers and the number is likely to reach 23,000 by the end of the year.

What are the current challenges facing the labour market?

Mr Nam: The number of Vietnam guest workers has increased significantly in recent years. This has been a success for the industry. However, a number of obstacles still remain, for example improving the quality of workers.

Although training has been paid the proper amount of attention, the quality of Vietnam workers is much lower than regional countries. They are still far too weak in foreign languages and self-discipline.

Some employment agencies are only concerned with making a profit and ignore the quality of guest workers. They are not negotiating the best contracts for the workers to ensure they get the best training, pay and working conditions.

How will the labour export industry develop the market in the future?

Mr Nam: In recent years, the Ministry of Labour, Invalids and Social Affairs (MoLISA) has adopted a score of export market expansion measures. It has coordinated with ministries to negotiate with other countries to sign agreements, thus creating a legal framework for Vietnam to protect the legitimate rights of workers.

For those countries, which did not sign such agreements, MoLISA established relations with agencies in charge of receiving labourers to arrange proper worker management mechanisms.

In addition to widening export markets, the ministry also reached a number of agreements with other countries to enlarge the fields and industries recruiting workers. For example, the Japanese government agreed to increase the number of fields receiving foreign trainees from 68 to 71.

In the coming time, we will strive to keep traditional markets like Taiwan (China), Japan, Malaysia and some Middle East countries. Hoping that with strict solutions, the Republic of Korea market will see positive signals soon.

Our overall objective for the guest worker program is to see more benefits from sending Vietnam workers abroad.

Thank you very much.