Many factories are not hesitant to hire older workers.

Manufacturing businesses in Ho Chi Minh City are not imposing age limits on hiring workers, creating opportunities for older workers who lost their jobs in recent layoffs.

At the Job Fair held on December 17th at the Ho Chi Minh City Labor Culture Palace, Vinh Hung Joint Venture Company Limited (District 12) is seeking to recruit 100 seamstresses, aged 18 and above. In addition to a fixed salary, product bonuses, and social insurance, the company also provides 24/7 accident insurance for employees and their family members.

Recruitment staff of Vinh Hung Joint Venture Company Limited advise job seekers on the morning of December 17th. Photo: Le Tuyet — Recruitment staff of Vinh Hung Joint Venture Company Limited advise job seekers on the morning of December 17th. Photo: *Le Tuyet*

Ms. Do Ngoc Trinh, in charge of recruitment at Vinh Hung Joint Venture Company Limited, said that the company does not limit the age of recruits but will base job assignments on health and skills.

"As long as you are of working age, the company will accept your application," Ms. Trinh said. The company has a partnership with a hospital, which organizes weekly health checkups for applicants. If there are health issues but the applicant is still fit to work, the human resources department will advise them on a suitable position.

Having worked in recruitment for many years, Ms. Trinh said that workers over 40, if physically fit enough for the job, are very diligent, committed to long-term employment, and rarely change jobs. In the most recent recruitment drive, there was a garment worker as old as 52 who performed very well.

Similarly, Thai Duong The Gioi Garment Co., Ltd. (Cu Chi District) is recruiting 100 garment workers without age restrictions, offering salaries ranging from 7 to 12 million VND. Job seekers only need to be in good health, able to read and write, and meet the factory's requirements. The company will provide transportation allowance, support for children under 6 years old, and ensure full social insurance benefits. The factory also has dormitories for those living far away.

Ms. Nguyen Thi Tuyet Nhung, in charge of recruitment, said that all applicants within the eligible age range can apply. If workers have health problems and are unable to perform sewing tasks, the company will assign them to other positions such as thread cutting, cleaning, quality control, etc. "We don't care about age, we just need people who are willing to work," Ms. Nhung said.

Recruitment booth of Thai Duong The Gioi Garment Co., Ltd., morning of December 17th. Photo: Le Tuyet — Recruitment booth of Thai Duong The Gioi Garment Co., Ltd., morning of December 17th. Photo: *Le Tuyet*

Not only garment factories, but many businesses participating in the job fair also raised the age limit for recruiting unskilled laborers to 40-45. For example, Vissan Company is recruiting 100 seasonal workers for Tet in Binh Thanh, and Marubishi Summit Vietnam Company is recruiting 30 personnel to sew car seats in Binh Chieu Industrial Park...

Ms. Nguyen Thi Bich Tuyen, head of recruitment at Mitsubishi Summit Vietnam, said that the age limit for applicants varies depending on market supply and demand. Towards the end of the year, many businesses have orders and seasonal jobs, so factories often raise the age limit to 40-45 to find workers. However, after Tet (Lunar New Year), when a large number of workers from the provinces flock to the city seeking employment, the supply increases, and the age limit is usually lowered.

"Middle-aged workers want good jobs with less competition, so they take advantage of opportunities at the end of the year because that's when factories are in high demand," Ms. Tuyen said.

Ms. Nguyen Van Hanh Thuc, Director of the Ho Chi Minh City Employment Service Center (CES HCMC), said that many businesses do not limit age when recruiting, helping to increase the chances of middle-aged people who have lost their jobs returning to the labor market. Statistics over the years show that the number of workers over 40 is gradually increasing and accounts for 14-16% of the total number of unemployed people applying for unemployment benefits.

"Workers are evaluated based on skills, health, and diligence, not age. That's a positive sign for the labor market," Ms. Thuc said. According to the CES HCMC leader, about half of the 80 businesses participating in the job fair (with a need to recruit 20,000 positions) are hiring workers up to 40-45 years old. Some textile and footwear factories do not have age limits.

Ms. Thuc stated that previously, manufacturing businesses recruited workers aged 18 to a maximum of 35. However, recently, finding direct production workers in factories has become difficult, with supply sometimes falling short of demand. Some factories located near urban areas struggle to recruit workers, often competing for labor with service industries. Therefore, businesses have to gradually relax the age limit to find sufficient workers.

In addition, according to the CES HCMC leadership, many factories that manufacture for major brands are required to comply with regulations prohibiting discrimination against workers, including age criteria, thus giving older workers more opportunities.

Le Tuyet

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