Malaysia remains the major labor export market for Vietnamese workers this year despite information indicating labor exploitation in the country, according to Nguyen Ngoc Quynh, head of the Overseas Labor Management Department.

It is likely labor exploitation in Malaysia occurs, but there are few violating enterprises. In addition, Vietnamese laborers have yet to report the problem, Quynh said.

Vietnamese labor export companies still regard Malaysia as a major market in 2010 as the country has no requirements for professional skills or languages. Malaysia is included in the Government’s labor export program to generate jobs for disadvantaged local laborers.

Malaysia stopped recruiting Vietnamese workers last year given the global economic downturn. However, the economy has recovered and the demand for labor has increased again.

                                           

Sovilaco, a labor export company, sent 54 poor Vietnamese workers to Malaysia in January with a VND4-5 million wage per month. The enterprise has plans to send 1,500 workers to Malaysia, the United Arab Emirates, South Korea, Libya and elsewhere this year.

Nguyen Truong Son, a representative of Truong Giang Labor Export Company, said he had been seeking laborers for the Malaysian market. He added that no one had registered to work in the country so far. “Local laborers are still hesitant due to low wage rates and negative information,” Son explained. The firm plans to send 70 workers to Malaysia this year.

Quynh suggested local laborers choose long-term contracts with Malaysian companies. He said the salary should be more than VND4 million per month. The department will also monitor working situations in overseas markets to cope with labor disputes and to protect Vietnamese workers. 

Thanh Thuong - Saigon Times Daily

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