Vietnam forms proposals to better welfares for ASEAN migrant workers
A national meeting was held in Hanoi on September 9 to prepare for the ninth ASEAN Forum on Migrant Labour (AFML), slated for this November in Vientiane, Laos.
ILO Country Director for Vietnam Chang-Hee Lee speaks at the meeting (Photo: thanhtra.com.vn)
Hanoi (VNA) ♕– A national meeting was held in Hanoi on September 9 to prepare for the ninth ASEAN Forum on Migrant Labour (AFML), slated for this November in Vientiane, Laos.
The AFML is an annual activity of the ASEAN Committee on the Implementation of the ASEAN declaration on the protection and promotion of migrant workers’ rights. From November 9-10, the ninth forum will discuss existing social welfares for ASEAN migrant workers and work towards the mobility of social insurance for the target group.
At the preparatory meeting, held by the Ministry of Labour, Invalids and Social Affairs and the International Labour Organisation (ILO), participants said amid growing integration and globalisation, migrant workers have substantially contributed to economic growth and sustainable development of both their home and host countries.
Although the ASEAN Economic Community has geared up measures to facilitate the movement of skilled labour, most of regional migrant workers are low-skilled.
The approaching AFML’s focus on social welfares for migrant workers is necessary and well-timed as many migrant workers in ASEAN haven’t benefited from social welfares. They have no longer enjoyed some of their rights at home and faced unfairness in their host countries.
It is important to ensure equal access to social welfares between workers in the formal and informal sectors. The implementation of bilateral social welfare agreements to ensure the mobility of social insurance will help migrant workers ensure their rights when working abroad, participants noted.
The meeting featured five sessions during which representatives of the Government and social organisations looked into activities done to realise the recommendations made at the previous AFMLs. They also suggested proposals for Vietnam to submit at the upcoming forums.-VNA
Bui Sy Loi, Deputy Head of the National Assembly (NA)’s Social Affairs Committee, spoke with Nong Thon Ngay Nay (Countryside Today) about workers’ access to social welfare policies.
The 12th ASEAN Senior Labour Officials’ Meeting (SLOM) was held in Vientiane, Laos within the framework of the 24 th ASEAN Labour Ministers’ Meeting (ALMM) from May 11-12.
The 24th ASEAN Labour Ministers Meeting convened in Vientiane on May 15 with a focus on creating sustainable jobs and a competitive workforce in the ASEAN Community.
The administration of Laos’ capital city of Vientiane will start the granting of temporary working permit to migrant foreign labourers in order to better manage illegal foreign workers here.
Legal assistance for women migrant workers must be enhanced and part of trade unions’ focus, Vice President of the Vietnam General Confederation of Labour (VGCL) Nguyen Thi Thu Hong has said.
More than 5,000 people gathered at Dam Sen Cultural Park in Ho Chi Minh City for the solidarity walk for victims of Agent Orange/dioxin (AO), marking the 64th anniversary of the AO disaster in Vietnam (August 10, 1961 – 2025).
The embassy advises Vietnamese citizens travelling in Greece that they should avoid standing close to cliff edges, boat sides, and refrain from going out to sea during storms to prevent unfortunate incidents.
Hanoi is advancing green transportation as part of its sustainability goals but faces challenges like limited charging infrastructure, inconsistent regulations, and high electric vehicle costs.
Vietnam has over 4.8 million people exposed to AO/dioxin, including hundreds of thousands in the second, third, and even fourth generations. Many live with severe disabilities, facing high medical costs and loss of earning capacity.
Deputy Foreign Minister Dang Hoang Giang reaffirmed that amnesty is a humanitarian policy of the Party and State, reflecting the Vietnamese tradition of compassion and winning attention and high praise both domestically and internationally.
Vietnam officially grants limited-term visa-free entry to high-profile foreigners whose presence is deemed beneficial to the country’s socio-economic development.
With support from the Vietnamese Association in Ufa, Vietnamese language classes for children have been offered for many years. Currently, 60 children of various ages are attending two classes taught by Duc Anh, free of charge.
Vietnam ranked among the top four countries and territories at the 2025 International Olympiad on Artificial Intelligence (IOAI), reaffirming its strong position in international academic competitions.
All 20 crew members aboard the Vietnamese oil tanker GT Unity were successfully rescued from a fire in the vessel’s engine room, thanks to the swift response of the Liberian-flagged ship Androusa and Vietnamese maritime rescue teams.
Describing Agent Orange as one of the most severe and enduring legacies of the war in Vietnam, Vietnam's former Honorary Consul to Belgium Joseph-Michel de Grand Ry warned that its impact – still affecting generations more than five decades later – could last another two to three decades.
Running from August 4 to September 2, under the hashtag #TuHaoVietNam, the campaign invites participants in two categories: “I Love My Country” video clips and “I Love My Country” check-in photos.
Decree No. 219/2025/ND-CP, which took effect on the issuance date, introduces amendments that integrate the procedure for reporting and explaining the demand for foreign workers into the process of submitting applications for work permits.
With a tight 13-month deadline, the move is under a strategic and urgent policy to bridge educational gaps, train the local workforce, and shore up territorial sovereignty in some of the country’s most remote areas.
The parade and personnel send-off ceremony will officially take place on August 10 at the area surrounding the Statue of King Ly Thai To and Dinh Tien Hoang street of Hoan Kiem ward, with the participation of nearly 3,000 officers, soldiers, and local residents.
According to national technical regulations, AIS installation is mandatory for boats carrying more than 50 passengers. However, operators of smaller vessels (under 50 seats) in Ha Long Bay have voluntarily committed to completing installation by the deadline to enhance operational safety.
The activities include a Vietnamese language teaching training course for overseas Vietnamese teachers from August 13 to 28 in Hanoi, Ninh Binh, and Thai Nguyen.
Specifically, the ships will carry out patrols from 7am to 6pm daily along the main tourist routes in Ha Long Bay, with one ship permanently stationed at Ti Top island. From 6pm to 7am the following day, the mobile vessels return to Tuan Chau island to maintain a 24/7 on-call duty shift, ensuring constant readiness.
The Ministry of Construction (MoC) plans to open to traffic 208km of expressways of six key projects by August 19, bringing the country’s total expressway network to 2,476km.
As of July 1, a two-tier local government model started in 34 provinces and cities, streamlining administration but creating a surplus of public properties. If not promptly addressed, these assets could become a financial burden.
Whether they grow up to become journalists, diplomats, or professionals in other fields, these children can one day become bridges of friendship and cooperation, telling new and inspiring stories of Vietnam – China relations, said Ambassador Pham Thanh Binh.
ILO Country Director for Vietnam Chang-Hee Lee speaks at the meeting (Photo: thanhtra.com.vn)
