Workers send home about 7 billion USD/year

On the morning of October 30, the Ministry of Home Affairs held a conference to meet and dialogue with businesses sending Vietnamese workers to work abroad under contracts. The dialogue was attended by many businesses in the field of labor export.

According to information from the Department of Overseas Labor Management ( Ministry of Home Affairs ), in the first 10 months of 2025, the total number of Vietnamese workers working abroad was more than 121,000. Key markets such as Japan still lead the number of workers (more than 55,000 workers), Taiwan (China) with more than 47,000 workers, South Korea with nearly 10,000 workers. European markets such as Germany, Romania, Hungary, Russia... remain stable.

It is estimated that by the end of 2025, the number of Vietnamese workers working abroad will reach 636,000 in the 2021-2025 period.

Conference scene. Photo: DO TRUNG

According to the Department of Overseas Labor Management, workers working abroad have a relatively stable income and much higher than those working domestically in the same profession and at the same level. On average, workers send home about 6.5 - 7 billion USD each year, contributing significantly to the country's foreign currency resources, increasing savings and improving the lives of workers and their families.

Deputy Minister of Home Affairs Vu Chien Thang delivered the opening speech at the conference. Photo: DO TRUNG

Among the above countries, in recent times, Middle Eastern countries such as the United Arab Emirates (UAE) have emerged as markets attracting a high labor force. Currently, Vietnam and the UAE have signed many agreements in the field of workers going to work in the UAE from 2009 to present. Vietnamese workers have started working in the UAE since 1995. As of December 2024, there are about 4,500 Vietnamese workers living and working in the UAE, mainly in construction, mechanics, restaurant services, hotels, and beauty care. Currently, there are more than 20 service businesses sending workers to work in the UAE.

Next is Saudi Arabia, where Vietnam has been sending workers to work since 2004. At its peak, there were nearly 18,000 Vietnamese workers working there. Currently, there are about 5,000 Vietnamese workers working in the following industries: domestic help, construction, transportation, restaurant and hotel services, and mechanics and engineering at oil and gas projects with an average salary of 500 - 1,200 USD/month. In the period of 2022-2024, there will be 1,466 workers working in Saudi Arabia.

Delegates attending the conference. Photo: DO TRUNG

According to the Department of Overseas Labor Management, sending Vietnamese people to work abroad still faces some difficulties, such as in the Japanese market, some businesses have not done a good job in selecting and training workers before leaving the country; high fees; there are still cases of illegal labor, creating opportunities for workers who break their contracts to find jobs and continue to reside illegally in Japan.

In Korea, the country's state management agencies do not pay attention to labor cooperation in assigned fields, so there is no timely coordination; the rate of illegal work by crew members is very high (more than 50%)...

The conference was attended by more than 100 businesses operating in the field of labor export. Photo: DO TRUNG

In Taiwan (China), Vietnamese workers mainly work as nurses, caretakers in hospitals, care centers, construction workers, nearshore fishing boat crews, and in agriculture , etc., leading to low quality of workers, low working style, and high fees paid to brokerage companies.

According to the Department of Overseas Labor Management, many individuals and organizations without licenses or functions to send workers to work abroad still post advertisements locally and on social networks to attract workers to work abroad; this makes management difficult and poses a potential risk of fraud.

Some workers do not have full awareness of their responsibilities, leading to contract violations, illegal residence, and violations of the laws of the host country.

Forecasting some labor markets

According to the Department of Overseas Labor Management, the Japanese market is expected to receive about 820,000 workers in 16 fields from now until 2028.

In Taiwan (China), it is expected that by 2030, the country will have a shortage of 400,000 to 480,000 workers.

European countries like Germany are short of about 1.5 million workers in the fields of medicine, health care, science, engineering, IT, construction, mechanics, electrical and water installation, hotels, restaurants... By 2030, this country is forecast to be short of about 5 million workers in all sectors of the economy .

Source: https://www.sggp.org.vn/nguoi-lao-dong-gui-ve-nuoc-khoang-7-ty-usdnam-post820712.html