A circular issued by the Ministry of Labour, Invalids and Social Affairs, which bans women from involving in 77 types of work, has caused controversy.
The new circular issued by the Ministry of Labour, Invalids and Social Affairs bans women from involving in 77 types of work
The circular took effect on December 15, while many companies and employees remain unaware of it.
According to the circular, woman are not allowed to do jobs which are said to be "unsuitable" for them, including mine and bomb extraction, drilling on sea oil platforms and forensic investigation. They are also not permitted to carry anything weighing over 50 kilogrammes.
The circular, however, has not gone unopposed, with many saying that the regulation is unreasonable.
One expert said that many women are doing these the jobs banned in the circular because they like the jobs, while for others it is their only way to earn money.
“If they are not allowed to do these jobs, they will become unemployed, or will have to do things they dislike. They will be forced to give up jobs they want,” he added.
Doan Thi Tham is among the few women in the Vietnamese health sector who specialises in forensic examination. She now works at Cao Bang Province’s Forensic Examination Centre. She agreed that this type of work is not suitable for women, but she has done the job for many years and has closed attachment to it.
However, not only Tham, but also the Cao Bang Province’s Health Department, have not been notified of the new regulation.
Mr. Minh Long who lives near Long Bien Market in Hanoi, said everyday he sees hundreds of women earn money by working as porters. The work is an overload to them, but they do not have any other choice.
"Lacking education and property in Hanoi, most of them come to the city to a living. Carrying something weighing more than 50 kilogrammes is an overload to women in cities, but those who live in rural areas can do this,” he said.
He noted that it is important to protect women’s health, but they should be provided job opportunities rather than being banned from their only way of earning living.
Many people have commented that the circular will only add to the burdens of poor women.
Many women from rural areas choose to do difficult labour, which pays more, in order to provide for their family.
One reader, named Dao Hang, commented that it is a human right to be able to choose one's occupation and that women should not be discriminated against.