Changing the mindset of Ea Rieng people about jobs

In previous years, Hamlet 20 was one of the most disadvantaged areas in Ea Rieng commune. The hamlet has over 200 households, mostly H'Mong people, whose lives depended on farming. Unstable income, with good harvests alternating between seasons, left many families struggling year-round. For the villagers, working abroad was once a distant dream due to barriers of awareness, cost, and a reluctance to travel far. However, in recent years, the picture of life in Hamlet 20 has gradually changed. Significantly, many of the families who were once most hesitant are now the pioneers in sending their children to try their luck in foreign labor markets.

The family of Mr. Chau Manh Dung is a prime example. Previously, Mr. Dung had never considered letting his children leave their village to work in a foreign country. However, after commune officials visited his home to explain the policy, he began to reconsider. Finally, he decided to let his daughter (Chau Thi Ngoc Hoa) go to Taiwan to work under an overseas employment contract.

Officers of the Ea Rieng Commune Cultural Office propagate support policies when registering to send workers to work abroad for a limited period under contract.

“Our Hmong people rarely travel far, so I was very worried. I was afraid she wouldn't adapt, and that it would be too expensive. But just a few months after going there, Hoa settled into her job and got used to the new environment. Now she sends home more than 10 million dong every month. Thanks to that, my family has been able to pay off our debts and renovate our old house. Our finances are improving day by day, and I'm very happy,” Mr. Dung confided.

Not only in Hamlet 20, but also in Hamlet 5, people are witnessing a significant transformation thanks to many laborers going to work abroad. The family of Mr. Hoang Van Dang (a San Diu ethnic minority) was once poor for many years because their income depended solely on 5 acres of old coffee trees. A turning point came for the family in early 2024, when his eldest daughter was introduced by the commune to participate in a program to work in Japan. Thanks to preferential loans for poor households, Mr. Dang's family was able to arrange the emigration procedures for their daughter. Since going to work in Japan, she sends home 10-15 million VND each month. This money has helped the family pay off old debts, renovate their coffee plantation, and gradually stabilize their lives.

Mr. Dang shared: “My family has escaped poverty now. My youngest son is 18 years old this year and also said he wants to follow his sister to do business. I think this is a real opportunity for my children to rise up.”

The stories of Mr. Dung and Mr. Dang are just two of dozens of cases in Ea Rieng where people have transformed their lives thanks to working abroad. The monthly remittances not only help them build new houses and buy machinery for production, but also enable many households to expand their family businesses. Some families in hamlets 20 and 5 have started small-scale businesses and boldly invested in more systematic livestock farming and crop cultivation. As a result, the face of rural Ea Rieng is becoming more prosperous and beautiful day by day.

Thanks to her daughter working in Japan and sending money back home, Ms. Mai Thi Minh (Mr. Hoang Van Dang's wife) has capital to renovate her coffee garden, increasing her family's income.

According to Phan Duc Tho, Chairman of the People's Committee of Ea Rieng commune, the locality always considers sending people to work abroad as a key solution for sustainable poverty reduction and income improvement. Propaganda efforts are implemented targeting specific groups, especially young people, poor households, and ethnic minorities. Commune officials not only inform about policies but also share successful cases to create a ripple effect. In addition, the commune strengthens coordination with reputable overseas labor export companies to advise on suitable markets, guide people in completing applications, and support people in accessing preferential loans. Young workers, demobilized soldiers, and graduates are encouraged to participate to improve the quality of the local workforce.

Since 2022, Ea Rieng commune has advised dozens of workers to work abroad, many of whom are ethnic minorities. Thanks to this, the commune's poverty rate has decreased year by year; people's working mindset has become more open and proactive.

The changes taking place in Ea Rieng show that working abroad is no longer a distant dream for ethnic minority people. With the right support from the government and the determination of the people, this journey of transformation is spreading strongly, bringing new faith and hope to the community.

Source: https://baodaklak.vn/xa-hoi/202512/thay-doi-tu-duy-ve-viec-lam-cua-nguoi-dan-ea-rieng-e801863/