Vietnam - Illegal labour: far-reaching implications

(VOV) - The image of Vietnamese guest workers today will open or close the door on others in the future.

Improving the quality of labour force to enhance prestige

There is growing concern about more than 8,000 Vietnamese working illegally in the Republic of Korea (RoK), although this is one of the most attractive labour markets which offers a good salary of VND200-300 million per year to its guest workers.

According to the Department of Overseas Labour under the Ministry of Labour, Invalids and Social Affairs, there are more than 60,000 Vietnamese workers in the RoK. Since the two countries signed an agreement on employment permit system Vietnam has regularly sent the largest numbers of workers to the RoK.

At many working sessions between the two ministries, the Korean side often describes Vietnamese workers as hard working, skilful and very flexible at work. Similarity between the two cultures is seen as a factor in making the relationship between the employer and employees ever closer.

Suddenly, one scabby sheep is enough to spoil the whole flock. A considerable number of Vietnamese workers have gone into hiding after finishing their contract in the RoK. Worse still, not a few workers who just arrived there under the contract of employment have followed suit in an attempt to work illegally.

In the face of such law-breaking cases, the RoK recently decided to receive no more workers from Vietnam and cancel its Korean language test scheduled for early August.

Labour exports aim to ensure employment with stable income, ease the growing pressure on the domestic labour market and reduce poverty in the countryside.

Vietnam’s state policy of sending its workers to foreign countries over the decades has created a new positive image for themselves. No wonder, employers in the Middle East, Eastern Europe and Asia are full of praise for their guest workers from Vietnam.

However, the positive image has been tarnished in some countries where a certain number of Vietnamese workers often go on a drinking spree and even eat dog meat- which is strictly taboo in the Muslim community. In the eyes of employers some Vietnamese are big liars and lazybones.

There must be an end to what is happening in the RoK. If not, the door of the labour market will be shut on Vietnamese workers with far-reaching implications elsewhere.

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