Vietnamese guest workers work aboard not only to increase their incomes but also to contribute to building the country and the locality they are living in.

In addition, sending workers abroad is also considered a strategy for human resource development aimed at speeding up the  process of national industrialisation and modernisation.

Deputies at the on-going National Assembly (NA) session recently discussed the draft law on Vietnamese guest workers working abroad on contract. Mr Tran Huu Lap, NA deputy from southern Tay Ninh province talked about the issue with a Radio Voice of Vietnam reporter.

Reporter:  What is the practical significance of issuing the law on Vietnamese guest workers working abroad on contract?

Mr Lap: There are still many issues relating to labour export that need to be resolved. Despite a lot of efforts made by the labour sector, sending workers abroad remains a complicated issue and exposes weaknesses in both legal regulations and policies. Therefore, the promulgation of the law will help control the labour market in a practical and effective way.

Reporter: Will the law enforcement help resolve complications in labour brokerage service?

Mr Lap: There remain different opinions on labour export. However, in my opinion, in the market economy, the State should only control guidelines and policies without intervening specific activities run by each enterprise. The State should perform a role as a manager while sending guest workers abroad should be seen as a service that need brokerage activities. Most countries in the world send workers through brokerage companies and  Vietnam should do the same. The important thing is how to strictly control such companies to avoid frauds

Reporter: What are measures the Foreign Labour Management Department will apply to prevent enterprises from doing business in an illegal way?

Mr Lap: To ensure the quality of labour export activities, it is necessary to focus on improving human resources’ qualifications, organisational skills and the financial issues of enterprises.

Reporter: What is the role of the Department of Overseas Labour Management and provincial People’s Committees for export activities?

Mr Lap: The provincial People’s Committee is the first place to manage labourers. Therefore, it is very important to raise local authorities’ awareness of the role of labour export activities. Currently, localities have clear point of view on the issue. They understand that labour export can not only generate jobs but also create a high-quality labour force, contributing to the socio-economic development of each locality. Realising the important role of labour export, provincial People’s Committees will monitor and devise plans for labour export activities. Labourers will be selected carefully and have the chance to take part in training courses before signing contracts with enterprises.

Reporter: For guest workers abroad, what is the role of embassies in providing information as well as legal procedures?

Mr Lap: The number of staff at embassies is very low. As I know, the Department of Overseas Labour Management always send their staff to major markets to manage labourers. However, in Malaysia where many Vietnamese people are working, the role of the embassy and the department is not simple. In my opinion, it is necessary to have a law that when enterprises send labourers abroad, they should be responsible for their labourers. They should send a representative to act as a broker between labourers and foreign companies. The Department of Overseas Labour Management and the People’s Committee should only solve major problems and supervise enterprises’ activities.

Reporter: Thank you very much.