Vietnam failed to meet the target of sending 90,000 labourers to foreign countries for work in 2012, according to a report from Overseas Labour Management Department.
Vietnam failed to meet the target of sending 90,000 labourers to foreign countries for work in 2012
The department said that around 80,320 Vietnamese people were sent to abroad to work in 2012. Taiwan was the most popular destination, with more than 30,500 going there, followed by Malaysia with 9,300, South Korea with 9,200, Japan with 8,800, Laos 6,200, Cambodia 5,200 and Macau at 2,300.
Le Van Thanh, Deputy Head of the department, said the global economic downturn was a large part of the problem. According to many experts, the export of labour will continue to be difficult next year because South Korea has stopped granting working visas to Vietnamese citizens. He added that Vietnam is also dealing with fierce competition with other Asian countries, such as China and the Philippines.
There have also been cultural issues with workers abroad, such as language barriers and work ethic.
The Ministry of Labour, Invalids and Social Affairs has urged localities and agencies to take measures to deal harshly with those who try to illegally work in South Korea and reduce the cost for processing for those who wish to work in Taiwan. There is also a deal on the horizon for a labour cooperation.
On the other hand Japan has been much more open to Vietnamese recruits with certain skills.
Mr. Thanh said, between next year, Japan will provide 180 potential Vietnamese employees with free Japanese language courses, and they will be sent to the neighbouring country in 2015. Japan is currently in need of 50,000 qualified nurses.
