The Prime Minister of Vietnam recently agreed to permit the Ministry of Labour, Invalids and Social Affairs to bring Vietnamese workers to Libya on a trial basis. Although this is still in the pilot stage, it is considered a good sign for prematurely returned workers previously and a positive signal for labour export market which is forecast to undergo a very tough time in 2012, said Nguyen Ngoc Quynh, Director of the ministry’s Department of Overseas Labour (Dolab).
The Middle East, particularly Qatar and Libya, provides stable well-paid employment. A professional worker is paid VND6-8 million a month while the pay for non-professional one is VND4-6 million. In addition, labourers can work extra hours to get higher pays. Specially, the full expense for working there is less than VND30 million, a very low rate in comparison with the cost for working in other markets. After employment contracts expire, they can negotiate renewed ones with their employers.
Mr Nguyen Xuan An, General Secretary of Vietnam Manpower Export Association, said the Middle East receives the largest number of foreign workers in the world. Among more than 40 countries and territories where Vietnam has sent its labourers, the Middle East market is typical of high stability. Although the pay is not high, this oil-rich market is a potential employer of Vietnamese workers if we know to tap it. According to statistics from the Department of Overseas Labour, more than 10,000 Vietnamese workers are working in the countries of this region, mainly in Qatar and the UAE. In the future, the demand for guest workers in these countries will continue to increase.
According to a Vietnamese labour exporter, apart from high-paid markets like Japan and South Korea, in 2012, Vietnam will restart such markets as the Middle East and Libya. This is a good sign because these markets require Vietnam-level labourers, pay relatively stable wages, and meet the aspirations of most of workers in Libya who were forced to return home ahead of schedule in early 2011. This can be seen that political situation in Libya has been gradually stabilised and this country has started to attract foreign investors back. Many projects have been carried out and they will need more workers. Notably, some investors are very keen on Vietnamese workers. For example, Germany's Man Group sent re-employment invitations to eight old office staffs from Vietnam. Before this situation, to facilitate Vietnamese workers to go to work in Libya, especially previously premature returnees, the Ministry of Labour, Invalids and Social Affairs has asked the Prime Minister for a permit to send Vietnamese workers back to Libya on a pilot basis.
Mr Nguyen Thanh Hoa, Vice Minister of Labour, Invalids and Social Affairs, said: At present, some manpower export companies are applying for permits to send Vietnamese labourers to work in Libya. However, during the pilot phase, the ministry only allows International Manpower Supply and Trade Company Ltd (SONA) to fulfil the order for office staffs from Germany’s Man Group in Libya.
Along with Libya, the UAE is also seen as a potential labour export market. Average monthly pay for Vietnamese construction workers in this country is US$326, including wage, food allowance and overtime; US$408 for factory workers and US$545 for service and office workers. In general, incomes of most Vietnamese workers in the UAE are quite stable and their working and living conditions are guaranteed. Currently, despite economic volatility, many investors and businesses in the UAE continue to receive more foreign workers. They see this as a good time to speed up their projects. Besides, the demand for guest workers in welding, engineering, restaurant and hotel sectors continues to rise. Hence, the chance to bring Vietnamese workers to this market is still very huge.
Thanh Tung
Vietnamese
