Overhaul set for guest-worker program

The Vietnam government has announced sweeping changes to the guest worker program, in a bid to dramatically increase the number of skilled labourers working in foreign markets.

The revised regulations, many months in the works, would make it easier for youth with postsecondary training to get good paying jobs in markets like Japan and Germany, said the Ministry of Labour, Invalids and Social Affairs. 

Building upon the success of last year, which saw a record 1.6 million guest workers, the Ministry has implemented a number of administrative fixes to boost yet even higher employment figures in the program.

One of the more pressing problems for today’s college and university graduates is finding suitable employment in the domestic economy, said Ministry representatives. Far too often students are graduating without being able to find jobs due to a mismatch of skills and needs.

In the fourth quarter of last year alone, an estimated 220,000 recent graduates found themselves unemployed. Our goal is to reduce that number by helping these youth find positions in foreign markets through the guest worker program, the Ministry noted.

Dao Trong Thi, former chair of the Committee for Culture, Education, Youth and Children of the National Assembly, said that more than just an administrative fix is needed to resolve the chronic unemployment problems but these changes are a great first step.

Ultimately, the real solution to the unemployment crisis among the young is better consultation of students to insure they are seeking employable training along with improved goal setting for achieving national economic growth.

Deputy Minister Doan Mau Nghiep of the Ministry of Labour, Invalids and Social Affairs agrees wholeheartedly.

The new regulations are a boon to youth, who have long complained that the education system is failing them, Nghiep noted. It is also important to not lose sight of the fact that they help these young people obtain invaluable work experience working in an international setting.

The new policies encourage the development of a long-term strategy that sets the proper priorities and contain an appropriate level of coordination among pertinent governmental ministries and agencies to insure they operate both efficiently and effectively.

The changes that have been given effect prioritize sending medical practitioners and nursing professionals to Japan and Germany with skilled information technology, electronics, communications, biology and agriculture graduates to Japan.

Those with degrees related to mechanical engineering will go to the Republic of Korea (ROK), and several European and Middle East countries. While those with degrees in cooking and the culinary arts will work in the ROK.

The ministry is also currently studying new markets like Slovakia, the Czech Republic and Israel.

Pham Viet Huong, deputy head of the Department for Overseas Labour Management, said this year many new opportunities have opened up for college graduates with high skill levels in Japan and Germany.

These new opportunities have all come about as a result of the new sweeping changes brought about by the overhaul of the guest worker program.

It shows the guest worker program reform is very valuable and already paying huge dividends.

VOV

Other News

Vietnamese students shine at AIMO 2026 international finals

Vietnamese students shine at AIMO 2026 international finals

The Vietnamese team won one Champion title, four First Runner-up awards, three Second Runner-up awards, 42 gold medals, 83 silver medals, 70 bronze medals and two consolation prizes at the 2026 International Finals of the Asia International Mathematical Olympiad Open Contest (AIMO) held in Hanoi on August 2-5.

Politburo's Resolution 57-NQ/TW powers new growth momentum

Politburo's Resolution 57-NQ/TW powers new growth momentum

NSO Director Nguyen Thi Huong said alongside foreign investment and the green economy, science – technology, innovation, the digital economy and digital transformation are the new drivers that can can pack a serious second-half punch.

Vietnam’s poverty reduction miracle: A journey for the people

Vietnam’s poverty reduction miracle: A journey for the people

From a country where more than 50% of the population lived below the poverty line in the early 1990s, Vietnam has reduced its poverty rate to just 2.95% today. This achievement reflects not only the effectiveness of socio-economic development policies, but also Vietnam’s ability to translate growth into tangible opportunities for its people, steadily realizing inclusive development and ensuring that no one is left behind.

Can Tho boosts Vietnamese language support for ethnic minority children

Can Tho boosts Vietnamese language support for ethnic minority children

Backed by more than 4.2 billion VND (161,000 USD) from the State budget, the programme aims to strengthen children's Vietnamese communication skills before they begin primary school, helping them integrate more smoothly into the classroom and improve learning outcomes from the outset.

Powering growth: Ensuring reliable energy supply to keep investment flowing

Powering growth: Ensuring reliable energy supply to keep investment flowing

Across Ha Tinh and Nghe An, maintenance teams conduct inspections day and night, using thermal cameras and drones to detect potential faults without interrupting electricity supply. Their work helps ensure stable power supply for businesses as the region accelerates development in line with the Government's economic growth targets.

One Vietnamese worker killed in Japan earthquake

One Vietnamese worker killed in Japan earthquake

The Embassy of Vietnam in Japan and its labour management board are actively implementing citizen protection measures and maintaining close contact with relevant organisations and companies employing Vietnamese workers in the affected areas to monitor the situation.

Hanoi to support low-income residents in replacing high-emission motorbikes

Hanoi to support low-income residents in replacing high-emission motorbikes

A key task is to formulate a support scheme for low-income residents to replace ageing motorcycles and mopeds that fail to meet emission standards and pose a high risk of pollution. It will also propose funding to provide free first-time emission testing for motorcycles and mopeds across the city.

UNESCO endorses vision for restoring Thang Long Imperial Citadel's central axis

UNESCO endorses vision for restoring Thang Long Imperial Citadel's central axis

The committee commended Vietnam for fulfilling the commitments it has made since the citadel was inscribed on the UNESCO World Heritage List in 2010, as well as for implementing recommendations from the committee and its advisory bodies. It also praised the country's efforts to preserve the site's cultural, historical and social values, transforming the imperial citadel into a space for public engagement, cultural exchange and historical education. The committee further welcomed the long-term vision as an important basis for the proposed restoration of Kinh Thien Palace in line with the approved conservation strategy.

Border guards seize 15,200 drug pills, heroin in major trafficking bust

Border guards seize 15,200 drug pills, heroin in major trafficking bust

At about 10:15 pm on July 20, officers from the Operations Division of the Nghe An Border Guard Command and the Nam Can International Border Gate Border Guard Station, in coordination with customs officers at the Nam Can International Border Gate, caught a resident of Tan Tien hamlet, Chieu Luu commune, Nghe An province, allegedly transporting narcotics in Tien Tieu hamlet, Nam Can commune.

Floods, landslides wreak havoc on northern mountainous region

Floods, landslides wreak havoc on northern mountainous region

Total economic losses were estimated at about 255 billion VND (nearly 9.7 million USD), with Lai Chau accounting for the largest share of the damage with 190 billion VND, followed by Son La with 46.04 billion VND, Lao Cai with 16.7 billion VND, and Dien Bien with 2.3 billion VND.