Hanoi (VNA) ꦡ– Vietnam is likely to send approximately 130,000 Vietnamese workers abroad in 2024, surpassing the target of 125,000 set for this year, according to the Ministry of Labour, Invalids and Social Affairs (MOLISA) of Vietnam.

The move is part of ongoing efforts to expand labour export markets, with a particular focus on high-income countries in Europe and the opening of new markets. According to MOLISA, as of September 2024, 113,896 Vietnamese workers had already been sent abroad, fulfilling 91.11% of the target for the whole year. Japan remained the largest destination, hosting 56,566 workers, followed by Taiwan (China) with 43,690 workers, the Republic of Korea with 6,276, China with 1,704, Singapore with 1,040, Romania with 670, and Hungary with 449. In September alone, 12,369 workers were deployed abroad, with the majority heading to Japan (6,447), Taiwan (4,735), China (196), the Republic of Korea (165), Romania (155), and Singapore (133).

MOLISA has continued to prioritise and manage the labour export process, ensuring that Vietnamese workers are well-prepared and supported. The Ministry has implemented an action plan to facilitate labour export in line with Government Resolution No. 225/NQ-CP, dated December 31, 2023, aimed at creating favourable conditions for businesses involved in labour export. Traditional labour markets such as Taiwan, Japan, and the RoK remain stable and continue to absorb large numbers of Vietnamese workers. However, the ministry is also focusing on expanding labour export to new markets, especially in Europe, where wages and working conditions are often favourable. Although the number of workers heading to European countries is still relatively small, the opportunities are growing as labour demand increases, particularly due to demographic changes in Europe, including an aging population. Vietnam shares friendly and cooperative relations with the European Union (EU), and these relationships are becoming more extensive, effective, and comprehensive, including in the field of labour cooperation. European countries are in need of supplementary manpower to address workforce shortages caused by an aging population, while Vietnam, with its young population, can help meet this demand. In return, Vietnamese workers benefit from better job opportunities, skill development, and higher income prospects. The ministry is also working to expand new labour export markets. In September 2024, MOLISA and the Australian Embassy in Vietnam announced the launch of a new labour mobility programme to send Vietnamese workers to Australia’s agriculture sector. Under this programme, up to 1,000 Vietnamese workers will be allowed to work in Australia at any given time. Workers may engage in either short-term (6 to 9 months) or long-term (1 to 4 years) employment in agricultural fields such as crop farming, meat processing, seafood farming, and forestry. The programme is designed to support lower-skilled and semi-skilled workers in the agricultural sector.

Additionally, MOLISA has strengthened efforts to ensure the quality of the labour export process, including more stringent recruitment and training programmes. Oversight of labour export businesses has been increased to protect the rights and interests of workers, ensuring that their welfare is safeguarded. The recovery of labour export is seen as a vital contributor to addressing domestic employment challenges and offering higher income opportunities for Vietnamese workers. In recent years, Vietnam has consistently sent about 150,000 workers abroad annually. Currently, approximately 700,000 Vietnamese workers are employed in over 40 countries and territories, spanning more than 30 different sectors./.