A comprehensive solution to transform labor export.

The process of sending workers abroad will significantly improve in both quality and quantity if comprehensive solutions involving regulatory and management reforms are implemented.

Workers go through the procedures to work abroad. (Photo: PV/Vietnam+)

2025 is considered a pivotal year for Vietnam's labor export sector, with over 120,000 workers sent abroad in the first 10 months, reaching 93.2% of the plan. However, alongside these positive results, traditional labor markets such as Japan, South Korea, and Taiwan (China) are facing new challenges, requiring comprehensive solutions to improve the quality and efficiency of operations.

The results are positive, but the challenges remain significant.

According to Vu Truong Giang, Acting Director of the Department of Overseas Labor Management ( Ministry of Interior ), 2025 will be the first year that many important resolutions of the Politburo are implemented, creating strong momentum for the field of labor export. After 45 years of implementation, millions of Vietnamese workers have been sent to work abroad, contributing a significant amount of foreign currency to the economy.

Results for the first 10 months of 2025 show that the whole country has sent more than 120,000 workers abroad, with Japan continuing to lead with over 55,000 people, Taiwan (China) ranking second with over 47,000 workers, followed by South Korea with nearly 10,000 workers. European markets such as Germany, Romania, Hungary, and Russia also maintained stable levels.

It is estimated that by the end of 2025, the total number of Vietnamese workers going to work abroad during the 2021-2025 period will reach approximately 636,000 people, equivalent to 127.3% of the initial plan (500,000 people). Currently, there are about 860,000 Vietnamese workers working abroad, sending back approximately 6.5-7 billion USD annually, making a significant contribution to the national foreign exchange reserves.

However, this sector also faces many challenges. International labor competition is becoming increasingly fierce as countries like the Philippines, Indonesia, India, and Bangladesh intensify their labor export policies, creating significant pressure on Vietnamese workers.

In the Japanese market, the sharp depreciation of the yen has led to a significant decrease in the real income of workers. Although Japan has introduced many new policies and opened up more job categories, the complex selection process makes it difficult for domestic workers to identify suitable industry sectors.

In South Korea, the number of runaway workers, particularly among seafarers, is increasing due to unfair competition among businesses. The rate of workers leaving the shipbuilding industry is also lower than the number of registered contracts due to the practice of multiple companies offering the same job.

The Taiwanese (China) market suffers from widespread intermediary brokering, deeply interfering in the selection process and costs, leading to high costs for overseas employment. Among the more than 500 operating businesses, some still have weak capabilities, competing by paying commissions to brokers and then charging high fees to workers.

According to him According to Vu Truong Giang, it is noteworthy that the foreign language skills and vocational expertise of a segment of the Vietnamese workforce do not meet the requirements of developed markets, forcing businesses to invest more in training. Many businesses also face difficulties in accessing immigration law information in emerging markets in Europe and America.

Currently, there are approximately 860,000 Vietnamese workers employed abroad, sending home around 6.5-7 billion USD annually. (Photo: PV/Vietnam+)

A comprehensive solution for the future.

Deputy Minister of Home Affairs Vu Chien Thang assessed that the stagnation of the labor export sector is due to many reasons such as economic difficulties, stricter immigration policies in some countries, inadequate management mechanisms, and violations in the operation of sending workers abroad.

To address this situation, the Ministry of Interior will implement several comprehensive solutions. First, it will eliminate cumbersome administrative procedures, and publicize and make transparent procedures, agreements, and costs so that people can easily access information. The Ministry of Interior will also coordinate with the Ministry of Justice to propose amendments to the Law on Vietnamese Workers Working Abroad and develop a national strategy on overseas labor.

The second solution is to strengthen the dissemination of information about international agreements, procedures, and mechanisms so that people understand the difference between commercial and non-profit contract labor, and avoid being exploited by individuals and organizations acting as intermediaries.

In addition, the Deputy Minister of Home Affairs emphasized the need to strengthen education, training, and improve vocational skills and conduct so that workers can both utilize their skills and comply with the laws of the host country, thus not becoming a burden to the receiving countries. The Ministry of Home Affairs will also coordinate with the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and consular agencies to protect citizens and promptly handle any violations or risks that may occur.

In the coming period, the Ministry of Interior will also strengthen digital transformation through the development of national applications such as DOLAB-JICA or job exchanges to give workers more choices.

Mr. Vu Chien Thang emphasized that if solutions are implemented comprehensively, the field of labor export will see significant changes in both quality and quantity. The responsibility of businesses should not only stop at sending workers abroad, but must encompass the entire process, from signing agreements, selecting, training, and protecting workers until they complete their work and return home.

According to Vietnam+

Source: https://baohaiphong.vn/giai-phap-dong-bo-de-thay-doi-xuat-khau-lao-dong-525834.html