Vietnam and RoK Strengthen Labor Cooperation

Deputy Minister of Labor, Invalids and Social Affairs Nguyen Ba Hoan approved Vietnam’s determination to continue working with the Republic of Korea. Photo: molisa.gov.vn

Deputy Minister of Labor, Invalids and Social Nguyen Ba Hoan said that since the establishment of diplomatic relations (1992-2022), cooperation between Vietnam and the Republic of Korea (RoK) has achieved remarkable and comprehensive development in almost all fields, including labor , employment and social security.

Labor cooperation between Vietnam and the RoK was officially started in 1993 through the cooperation program in labor supply.

The Ministry of Labor, Invalids and Social Affairs of Vietnam and the Ministry of Employment and Labor of the RoK have signed cooperation agreements in 2004, 2009, 2013, 2019. The two ministries have established a medium- and long-term partnership and continued to organize activities in labor, employment and social security.

In 2003, the National Assembly of the RoK approved the Employment Permit System (EPS), effective from August 1, 2004, opening up opportunities for qualified Vietnamese workers to work in the RoK.

Currently, the total number of Vietnamese workers working in the RoK under this system is 39,659. On January 31, 2021, the Minister of Labor, Invalids and Social Affairs of Vietnam and the Korean Minister of Employment and Labor signed an extension of the Memorandum of Understanding on the EPS.

In vocational education, the Korean Government has implemented many programs, projects and activities to support Vietnam in developing its vocational education system.

The RoK also provides financial and technical support to Vietnam in the development of the employment regulations, unemployment insurance, expert support, and employment service through cooperation agreements.

On December 14, 2021, in Seoul, Vietnam’s Minister of Labour, Invalids and Social Affairs Dao Ngoc Dung and Korean Minister of Health and Welfare Kwon Deok Cheol signed a bilateral agreement on social insurance between the two countries. This is a new milestone in the cooperation on providing social security for the people of the two countries.

Deputy Minister of Employment and Labor of the RoK. Photo: molisa.gov.vn

Kwon Gi Seob, deputy minister of Employment and Labor of the RoK, said that in the past 30 years, labor cooperation between the two countries has reached new heights.

There are many Vietnamese workers coming to the RoK to work and Korean workers working in Vietnam. These workers have become a bridge in the relationship between the two countries.

Korean Ambassador to Vietnam Park Noh Wan also said that this year marks the 30th anniversary of the establishment of Vietnam-RoK relations in economy, trade and culture. The foundation of that is the necessary cooperation on labor between the two countries.

The Korean Embassy will make effort to facilitate the labor cooperation between the two countries, the application of visas for workers, and the agreement on social insurance between Vietnam and the RoK.

Photo: molisa.gov.vn

Overview of the event. Photo: molisa.gov.vn

Nguyen Gia Liem, deputy director of the Department of Overseas Labor, said that the RoK is one of the key labor markets, with high wages and a good working environment, attracting many Vietnamese workers.

Currently, there are nearly 50,000 Vietnamese workers working in the RoK in manufacturing, construction, agriculture and fishery.

Since 2016, the Ministry of Labor, Invalids and Social Affairs has proposed to the Government to allow the sending of workers to work seasonally in Korea in the form of cooperation between localities of the two countries. This has created favorable conditions for Vietnamese farmers to work in the RoK to learn techniques and experience in farming, harvesting, and distributing agricultural products.

Currently, 9 localities including Da Nang, Dong Thap, Ha Tinh, Hau Giang, Thai Binh, Thua Thien Hue, Ha Nam, Ca Mau and Quang Binh have signed agreements with the RoK and sent nearly 1,000 workers. 17 provinces are negotiating to sign agreements with localities of the RoK.