Quarter I: Recruitment demand increased due to local labor shortage

(Labor and Social Affairs) - The Ministry of Labour, Invalids and Social Affairs forecasts that after the Lunar New Year, the labor market will experience fluctuations such as some workers not returning due to job changes or relocation.

This will lead to a temporary localized labor shortage, and the demand for new hires in the first quarter will be high, especially in the manufacturing and service sectors.

The number of collective work stoppages decreased by 50% compared to the previous year.

Forecasts indicate a localized labor shortage in the manufacturing and service sectors during the first quarter.

Regarding the labor and employment situation during the Lunar New Year of the Year of the Snake 2025, the Ministry of Labor, Invalids and Social Affairs stated that before Tet, businesses had a high demand for seasonal workers due to increased production to meet Tet needs.

In Ho Chi Minh City, the estimated demand for labor before the Lunar New Year is 28,525 job positions, mainly concentrated in the trade and service sector, accounting for nearly 70%.

Most businesses are trying to maintain or increase Tet bonuses to retain employees, while many migrant workers returning home early could lead to localized labor shortages. However, the phenomenon of businesses delaying salary and 13th-month bonuses still persists, causing difficulties for workers.

During the Lunar New Year holiday, businesses implemented various policies and benefits to support their employees, mostly in the form of Lunar New Year and New Year bonuses. Some businesses provided temporary accommodation and travel expenses for employees returning home for the holidays.

In addition, businesses also offer other benefits such as cash bonuses, Tet gifts, or a 13th-month salary bonus, as well as ensuring the rights and creating the best conditions for employees to celebrate Tet.

The Vietnam General Confederation of Labor organized the "Trade Union Train - Spring 2025" program, providing round-trip train tickets for 1,750 union members and workers from southern provinces to the North; and supporting trade union flights to bring 400 workers back to their hometowns on two routes: Ho Chi Minh City - Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh City - Vinh.

Collective work stoppages have decreased significantly. According to the Vietnam General Confederation of Labor, collective work stoppages before the 2025 Lunar New Year decreased by 50% compared to the previous year, with only 7 incidents in the last two months of 2024. This reflects the effectiveness of activities to ensure a happy Lunar New Year for workers.

Businesses have proactively engaged in early dialogue about wages and bonuses, and collaborated with trade unions to organize practical programs, helping to reduce conflicts and retain employees.

Several industrial zones in Hanoi, Bac Giang , Dong Nai, Binh Duong, etc., have thousands of workers working throughout the Tet holiday. At some key national projects such as Long Thanh Airport, southern expressways, and energy projects, a sense of urgency and activity is maintained throughout the holiday.

Workers and laborers were allowed to celebrate Tet (Lunar New Year) at the construction site, in accordance with the Prime Minister's directive in Official Dispatch No. 06/CĐ-TTg dated January 25, 2025.

Risk of localized labor shortages in the first quarter.

The Ministry of Labour, Invalids and Social Affairs predicts that after the Lunar New Year, the labor market will experience fluctuations leading to temporary localized labor shortages. However, businesses often proactively implement policies to retain employees and improve benefits to minimize post-Tet staff turnover.

In addition, a large number of workers in the public sector, following the restructuring and streamlining of the state apparatus, will enter the labor market, creating pressure on job placement for these individuals.

Given the above situation, the Ministry of Labor, Invalids and Social Affairs believes that, to ensure the stability of the workforce after Tet, state management agencies on employment need to focus on proactively monitoring the labor and employment situation in their localities; at the same time, strengthening labor market information and connecting labor supply and demand through activities such as increasing the frequency of job fairs and online job fairs connecting localities.

In 2025, the labor market is projected to recover; however, challenges related to labor and employment, as well as ensuring social security, remain.

Many solutions for developing the labor market and connecting labor supply and demand have been proposed by state management agencies, such as: building and improving the labor market information system and labor-employment database; connecting and effectively regulating labor supply and demand; encouraging job creation in both the public and private sectors; and enabling workers to find and switch jobs that match their abilities and skills.

Simultaneously, implement synchronously and effectively policies, programs, and projects to support job creation domestically; improve the efficiency of lending from the National Employment Fund; focus on creating jobs for young people, middle-aged workers, vulnerable workers, and female workers;

In addition, it is necessary to improve the capacity and promote the forecasting of labor demand and vocational training needs of businesses in terms of quantity, quality, occupational structure, and skill level of workers.

Another solution proposed by the Ministry of Labour, Invalids and Social Affairs is to stabilize and maintain traditional overseas labor markets, and develop and expand high-income markets that are suitable for the qualifications and skills of Vietnamese workers…

Ha Phuong

Labor and Social Affairs Newspaper No. 15

Source: https://dansinh.dantri.com.vn/nhan-luc/quy-i-nhu-cau-tuyen-dung-tang-cao-do-thieu-lao-dong-cuc-bo-20250204152046986.htm