Reporter: What do you think about the labour export situation in Vietnam in 2006?

Minister Hang: This year, we will continue to maintain traditional markets in which the country has long cooperated and invested. In 2006, there have been some changes in labour export. Firstly, special attention has been paid to conducting vocational training, teaching foreign languages and signing some big contracts relating to the high-income group of skilled workers and other contracts relating to the low income group of workers.

Another change is that Vietnam will expand to potential markets like the US, Australia, Qatar, and Middle Eastern countries.

A new change is to generate sources for labour export. We highlighted the role of local authorities in disseminating laws, organising training courses, giving instructions for young people at localities. Besides, localities have also co-ordinated with banks in providing loans for labourers.

However, there remain certain shortcomings. The number of negative cases of guest workers abroad being sent home is still increasing. It is a pity that many labourers do not believe in state labour export enterprises, so they are easily lured by generous salaries.

In some markets, Vietnamese guest workers still violate residence laws and working contracts, therefore they have to face sacking and deportation. In particular, some foreign companies do not want to employ Vietnamese labourers.

Minister Hang: I think, it is essential to find out reasons leading to the negative impression of Vietnamese workers. In fact, the work recruitment and management infrastructure facilities are not well in place. Many companies did not care much about the quality of labourers, just sending them to fulfill their contracts. In addition, many Vietnamese guest workers do not understand their interests and obligations. The Vietnamese Government has asked the MoLISA, judiciary and polices agencies to reach a joint co-operation agreement on measures to prevent and handle violations of working contracts.

Reporter: For guest workers who lose jobs due to various factors, because, their companies go bankrupt or there is a war going in the country where they work e.g. in Lebanon, what support will they receive? How can they find a new job?

Minister Hang: The Ministry has a fund to support these workers and always creates favourable conditions to help them seek new labour markets and new jobs in the domestic market. However, some guest workers in Lebanon have lost their jobs in recent times but they had not registered with companies or localities before leaving to work abroad. Hence, we encourage workers to register with localities so that they can receive assistance in case of any misfortune.

Reporter: In the integration process, high-skilled workers get many opportunities to work. But the professional skills and foreign language skills of most Vietnamese guest workers are still limited. In future, what measures will the MoLISA implement to improve professional skills for them?

Minister Hang: We have three key measures. Firstly, the government has adjusted the Law on Education and Vocational Training to help improve professional skills for labourers and encourage the participation of skilled engineers to work in both domestic foreign labour markets. Secondly, the National Assembly has approved the law on vocational training, which is very suitable with the current trend of integration. Thirdly, the target programme and targets set by the National Assembly must ensure that long-term training courses increase by 15 percent annually. I think that all the three measures are very important, but training activities should serve the labour market and meet increasing demand for labourers.

Reporter: Labour export is one of Vietnam’s strengths. Does MoLISA have plans to promote these strengths?

Minister Hang: Labour export is one of Vietnam’s strengths. However, in fact, the Vietnamese labour force has not met quality requirements. Most of them are not very well trained and have a poor command of foreign languages, thus finding it difficult to integrate into the community. So, it is important to create favourable conditions for labourers to learn foreign languages, promote vocational training schools and disseminate laws as well as help them learn more about the culture of the country where they will live and work on contract.

Reporter: The national Assembly has approved the Law on Sending Guest Workers Abroad. How will the law boost the labour export activities when it is issued?

Minister Hang: I think that the law can meet the demands for international integration. The issuance of the law will encourage guest workers to seek labour contracts and create a healthy and open environment for workers. In addition, the law also has supported workers in borrowing loans, learning foreign languages and protecting the rights and interests of workers. Specifically, the law covers three areas: labourers, enterprises and functional agencies, which are responsible in protecting the rights of labourers and punishing violators. More over, the law encourages businesses winning labour export contracts to recruit more Vietnamese workers. It also allows State-owned enterprises, joint-stock companies and private businesses to take part in sending guest workers abroad.

Reporter: Thank you very much.