Việt Nam-South Korea labour cooperation should match their elevated partnership: PM

Over the past 30 years, Việt Nam and the RoK have witnessed remarkable progress in bilateral cooperation, including labour, employment and social welfare.

Labour cooperation between Việt Nam and the Republic of Korea (RoK) should be promoted accordingly to their Comprehensive Strategic Partnership, said Prime Minister Phạm Minh Chính on Monday.

He was attending the Việt Nam-Republic of Korea Labour Cooperation Forum in Seoul with high-level officials from both countries and more than 600 Vietnamese workers in South Korea.

Delegates at the event agreed that over the past 30 years, the two countries have witnessed remarkable progress in bilateral cooperation, including labour, employment and social welfare.

Addressing the forum, PM Chính expressed appreciation for the good relations between the people of the two countries, adding that the Việt Nam-RoK has never been better.

After more than three decades of cooperation, it can be seen that the presence of Vietnamese workers in South Korea is a necessity, and they also expressed satisfaction with their employment in the East Asian country, he said.

The Vietnamese government leader asked the RoK to continue its lead in international human resource training, including the Vietnamese labour force, and promote collaboration in effective, sustainable capacity training for the benefit of both countries.

The RoK is also welcome to send skilled managers and experts to work in Việt Nam and increase the quota for Vietnamese workers under the Employment Permit System (EPS), notably shipbuilding, agriculture, fishing and new fields such as information technology (IT) and nursing.

It is also necessary to strengthen measures that will ensure Vietnamese workers are sent to the RoK through official and authorised organisations, he said.

PM Chính added that the South Korean authorities also need to increase coordination with their Vietnamese counterparts to create a favourable, safe and friendly environment for Vietnamese workers in the RoK, ensuring that they enjoy their legitimate benefits and abide by the RoK’s laws. This should minimise their law violations in the host country.

“It is necessary to educate workers so that they comply with the laws and understand the local culture, adapt to life in the host country, and possess the professional and language skills to work productively,” said the PM.

The Việt Nam-South Korea agreement on social insurance should be executed effectively, he added.

Aside from traditional industries, Vietnamese ministries and departments are directed to focus on recruiting and sending skilled workers in fields where the RoK excels, such as semiconductors, electric and autonomous vehicles, and biotechnology.

They must also increase support for employment, entrepreneurship and job connections between returning workers and South Korean businesses in Việt Nam through regular training courses.

PM Chính reminds the Vietnamese labour force to cultivate knowledge, skills and experiences during their time in the ROK to become skilled workers and successful entrepreneurs, contributing to the development of their homeland and the Việt Nam-RoK relations.

He hoped that they would hold a sense of responsibility towards themselves, their families and the two countries.

“You are the bridge that connects our two countries and people to move towards a future of shared growth and prosperity,” he said.

He expressed his trust that with high determination and efforts from both sides and based on the Việt Nam-RoK Comprehensive Strategic Partnership, economic and labour cooperation will continue to be a key area and a driving force for bilateral relations for common development.