Anastasia Vynychenko, IOM Programme Manager, delivered welcome remarks in a validation workshop on 17 March 2023 @IOM Viet Nam

Ho Chi Minh City, 20 March 2023 - The International Organization for Migration (IOM) Mission in Viet Nam, in partnership with Viet Nam Chamber of Commerce and Industry in Ho Chi Minh City (VCCI-HCMC), hosted a validation workshop on preliminary findings and recommendations from a study on Impacts of Covid-19 on Internal Migrant Workers in the South of Viet Nam and Roles of Relevant Stakeholders in Sustainable Recovery. The workshop brought together 34 representatives from Viet Nam General Confederation of Labour (VGCL), Ministry of Labour, Invalids and Social Affairs (MOLISA), Confederation of Labour and Department of Labor, War Invalids and Social Affairs (DOLISA) of Ho Chi Minh City and Ca Mau Province, Department of Employment (DOE), Directorate of Vocational Education and Training (DVET), industry and business associations, international and Vietnamese enterprises.

The workshop sought to share and validate preliminary findings about main factors that have impacts on internal migrant workers’ decision to migrate for work and policy recommendations for key stakeholders, especially enterprises in labour-intensive industries and state agencies, to restore sustainable production as part of Covid-19 recovery through better recruitment and employment practices, worker welfare as well as living conditions. 

“Despite the ease of Covid-19 restrictions and resumption of business activities in 2022, enterprises in labour-intensive industries such as apparel, footwear, and electronics, are still facing economic instability due to the challenges of retaining workers,” said Ms Bui Thi Ninh, Director of the Bureau for Employers' Activities in Viet Nam, VCCI-HCMC. “This study aims to help relevant stakeholders better understand the needs and expectations of internal migrant workers to ensure long-term and sustainable retainment of the labour force towards a more resilient economy.”

Ms Tran Thi Ha Binh, Senior HR Manager of textiles company Bowker Viet Nam Garment, provided feedback during the validation workshop on 17 March 2023 @IOM Viet Nam

Representing enterprises, Ms Tran Thi Ha Binh, Senior HR Manager of textiles company Bowker Viet Nam Garment, provided feedback for the Study. 

“Business enterprises need to pay attention to improving the working conditions for all workers. This includes providing safe and healthy workplace and supporting skill development. At the same time, enterprises need government policies to ease the cost-of-living burden for workers and support our efforts in restoring sustainable production through investing more in our workers.”

Ms Vu Lan Huong, Deputy Chief of Office, Directorate of Vocational Education and Training (DVET), emphasized the importance of training and skill development to promote better retainment of workers. She also presented the e-learning platform congdanso.edu.vn, jointly developed by DVET and IOM, as an example of how enterprises can upskill their workforce with soft skills and new knowledge with minimal investment of time and resources. 

Ms Vu Lan Huong, Deputy Chief of Office, Directorate of Vocational Education and Training (DVET), provided feedback during the validation workshop on 17 March 2023 @IOM Viet Nam

Anastasia Vynnychenko, IOM Programme Manager, welcomed comments and feedback for the study brief and underscored the importance of evidence based public-private collaboration to tackle challenges facing migrant workers and enterprises alike. “Employers play a key role in ensuring full respect for internal migrant workers’ rights by providing decent work and ensuring adequate living conditions. IOM is committed to working with all partners promote better quality of life and working environments for all migrant workers.”      

During the workshop, VCCI-HCMC presented a study brief with particular focus on current demand for internal migrant workers, recruitment and employment practices, working conditions, the ability to access social welfare, future intentions of workers to migrate, and workers’ needs and expectations of support from enterprises and State agencies, as well as policy recommendations to all relevant stakeholders.

The full study report will be launched and disseminated in June 2023. The study has been conducted by VCCI-HCMC with financial and technical support from IOM through Corporate Responsibility in Eliminating Slavery and Trafficking (IOM CREST). 

For further information, please contact Ms. Nguyen Nhu Tam, National Officer - IOM Viet Nam, email: nhnguyen@iom.int. 
For media queries, please contact Ms. Nguyen Thi Hong Yen, Communications Coordinator - IOM CREST, at thihnguyen@iom.int.