Prime Minister: Vietnamese workers will have many job opportunities in Saudi Arabia

The Prime Minister met with the Vietnamese community in Saudi Arabia, stating that the labor market there offers many potential opportunities as the two countries strengthen cooperation.

On the afternoon of October 20, Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh met with Vietnamese expatriates in Riyadh, on the occasion of attending the ASEAN-GCC Summit and visiting Saudi Arabia, one of Vietnam's leading economic partners in the Middle East.

During a meeting with the Prime Minister, Mr. Pham Gia Toan, an employee of an oil and gas supply company in Saudi Arabia, said that the country is implementing many strategic infrastructure projects, creating significant job opportunities for Vietnamese workers. He expressed his hope that Vietnam would strengthen its relationship with Saudi Arabia to boost the supply of labor to this market.

The Prime Minister stated that following this visit, investment and labor cooperation between the two countries will be boosted. Saudi Arabia will continue to invest in Vietnam, expanding into various sectors, including the labor market.

"Vietnamese workers will have more job opportunities in Saudi Arabia, acting as a bridge to promote the labor market with that country," the Prime Minister said.

Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh met with Vietnamese expatriates living and working in Saudi Arabia on the evening of October 20. Photo: Nhat Bac

He also expressed his wish that Vietnamese people, wherever they may be, would strive to overcome challenges, adapt to life and work in their host countries, and remain connected to their homeland. The Prime Minister affirmed that Vietnam always creates all conditions for workers to have opportunities to study, research, and work in host countries.

Currently, there are approximately 5,000 Vietnamese workers in Saudi Arabia, mainly welders, seamstresses, domestic helpers, and software engineers. Vietnamese people in Saudi Arabia live and work in many cities, with the majority in the capital, Riyadh.

Ambassador Dang Xuan Dung, Vietnam's Ambassador to Saudi Arabia, suggested that ministries and agencies continue to improve the legal framework, such as agreements on investment promotion and protection, and agreements on cooperation in human resources and labor, to help Vietnam take advantage of opportunities from projects being implemented by Saudi Arabia, as well as protect the legitimate rights of workers.

The Prime Minister agreed with this proposal and instructed relevant ministries and agencies to promptly finalize the legal framework to support Vietnamese workers abroad. He also requested the Vietnamese embassy in Saudi Arabia to regularly monitor the situation, connect with, and support overseas Vietnamese.

Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh meets with children of Vietnamese expatriates in Saudi Arabia on the evening of October 20. Photo: Nhat Bac

Saudi Arabia is one of Vietnam's leading economic partners in the Middle East. Last year, trade between the two countries reached over $2.7 billion, an increase of over 32% compared to 2021. In the first seven months of this year, bilateral import and export turnover reached $1.6 billion, an increase of 7.4% compared to the same period in 2022.

Following the meeting with overseas Vietnamese, Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh departed for home, concluding his visit to Saudi Arabia and participation in the ASEAN-GCC Summit.

Vnexpress.net