Hanoi – 11 October 2024, the Italian Chamber of Commerce in Vietnam (ICHAM), represented by Vice Chairman Federico Vasoli, participated in the Seminar on “Enhancing Labour Cooperation Between Vietnam and European Countries,” organized by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Vietnam. The event was co-chaired by Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs Le Thi Thu Hang and Deputy Minister of Labour, Invalids and Social Affairs Nguyen Ba Hoan, focusing on Vietnam’s efforts to expand its labour export initiatives to Europe.
With over 50 million workers in Vietnam and more than 150,000 laborers going abroad annually, mostly to Asia, the country is steadily increasing its international workforce. Vietnam has already signed labour agreements with Germany and Romania, with ongoing negotiations with Greece and Poland.
The seminar stressed the importance of clear communication among all stakeholders to manage expectations and prevent illegal activities. Vietnam’s Law on Vietnamese Workers Employed Abroad, enacted in 2020 and effective since January 2022, aims to streamline administrative processes while protecting workers’ rights and dignity.
Currently, over 500 licensed companies in Vietnam facilitate labour exports, though Europe’s demand for Vietnamese workers, driven by demographic shifts, is only being met at 10%. A German Embassy representative emphasized the need for pre-departure and post-arrival training to help workers adapt to their new environments.
Challenges, particularly in Eastern Europe, include long visa wait times, legal violations, and some workers absconding. The influx of Ukrainian refugees has also impacted demand for Vietnamese workers in certain countries. Economic issues like inflation and rising living costs in Europe, despite higher salaries, are adding difficulties for both locals and immigrants.
The seminar underscored the need for careful monitoring of employment contracts and living conditions to ensure workers’ well-being in Europe.
