Labour export- key to economic vitality (VOV) - The labour sector will implement practical measures to ensure sustainable poverty reduction and social welfare, with priority given to labour export.  “Labour export is a spearhead and innovative programme for job generation in the upcoming year”, says Minister of Labour, Invalids and Social Affairs (MOLISA) Pham Thi Hai Chuyen. Currently, there are four regional employment service centres located in Danang, Dong Nai, Can Tho and Hai Duong that are assisting job seekers to access employment opportunities at companies. Additionally, policies are being implemented to provide vocational training for the poor and soldiers returning from military service to equip them with expanded job skills to increase their employment opportunities. “MoLISA is specifically eyeing labour export as a key solution for generating jobs for Vietnamese people by dilating labour exports to established and potential markets”, Chuyen says. As a case in point, on December 31, 2013, MoLISA signed a special memorandum of understanding regarding sending and receiving Vietnamese guest workers with the Republic of Korea’s Ministry of Employment and Labour. Pursuant to the agreement, Vietnam will resume sending guest workers to the RoK under the Employment Permit System (EPS) programme, which is designed to minimise the number of Vietnamese guest workers not returning home as scheduled, and remaining in the RoK illegally. MoLISA has also launched communications campaigns in both countries to raise awareness of both workers and their relatives on the importance of complying with the labour contracts and returning to Vietnam on time. New policies and regulations have also been given effect, which impose stiff administrative and economic sanctions as punitive measures for workers who do not return home on schedule. Thanks to these joint efforts, the number of illegal Vietnamese guest workers in the RoK fell from 53.1% in 2012 to 38.2% in 2013. “The signing of the December 2013 MoU will also result in substantially increased opportunities for thousands of Vietnamese workers to work in the RoK in 2014 and subsequent years”, Chuyen says. To this end, it is imperative that Vietnam continue to minimise the number of its illegal guest workers in the RoK so that the MoU can be extended later this year, and the following steps are being undertaken. First, workers and their relatives are encouraged to obey laws and signed regulations to return home on schedule. All relevant ministries and agencies from central to grassroots levels need to ensure this policy is put in place. “MoLISA has directed all relevant agencies to closely work with localities to carry out the task regularly”, Chuyen confirms. Second, it is important to strictly impose fines on violators. On the one hand, the ministry will strive to create the best possible conditions for workers to understand and follow regulations, but on the other hand, it will coordinate with Vietnamese representative offices in the RoK to strictly fine workers who break laws and regulations. Third, it is necessary to strengthen the management of workers while they are on assignment in the RoK and the newly established Labour Management Office in the RoK has encouraged workers to realize this task. Fourth, MOLISA will provide incentives and implement a support programme for workers returning home on time. It will organise employment fairs, provide credit and improve skills for workers to this end. Last but not least, it is crucially important to provide workers improved education on labor laws and regulations related to employment prior to being sent to the RoK, especially in labour disciplines and law obedient awareness, Chuyen concludes. VOV