Japan likely to become top labour market of Vietnam in 2018

The labour sector plans to boost labour export to the potential market, which is predicted to become the top destination for Vietnamese migrant workers next year.

According to experts, over the past few years, Japan has been one of the most booming labour markets, after Taiwan, and this has been reflected in multiple fields and different industries. 

At present, about 100,000 Vietnamese apprentices are following training courses to improve their skills in Japan, particularly in electronics, outsourcing mechanical engineering services, seafood processing, garment industry, construction and agriculture.

Pham Viet Huong, deputy head of Overseas Labour Management Department under the Ministry of Labour, Invalids and Social Affairs says that despite Japan being regarded as a demanding market, the country remains the focal point for Vietnam’s labour export demonstrated by the number of Vietnamese workers having increased from 27,000 in 2015 to nearly 40,000 in 2016. In the first ten months of 2017,  more than 40,000 Vietnamese workers were sent to Japan.

Vietnamese apprentices have been appreciated by Japan for their diligence, good ability to acquire knowledge and close cooperation. The cooperative program that sends Vietnamese apprentices to Japan has recently reaped unilaterally positive results as well as providing benefits.

Mr Huong noted that in the during their apprenticeships in Japan, Vietnamese workers have not only gained knowledge and professional skills, their working style has also improved greatly. 

This will stand them in good stead to assume higher positions when they return to Vietnam. After returning home, many apprentices have become the key employees of businesses, especially in businesses invested in by Japanese companies. Some of them have even become directors and managers of companies.

Mr Shinnichi Hayma, general director of Yotsugi Vietnam, said that after their apprenticeships have finished, many Vietnamese workers have continued to work in Japan

At present, Yotsugi Vietnam has opened its doors to welcome Vietnamese workers returning home from Japan.

Under the memorandum of cooperation (MOC), signed between the Ministry of Labour, Invalids and Social Affairs and Japan Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare, both sides will double efforts to increase the number of Vietnamese apprentices with a major focus on highly skilled labourers with relevant experience and expertise and a Japanese working style in the near future. 

This will simultaneously boost Japanese investment in Vietnam and generate more jobs for domestic workers.

Ample opportunities for Vietnamese students

According to the new skill apprentice program, Vietnamese internships will increase in length from three years to five years, covering more new industries, including healthcare.  

In particular, concerned companies are asked to publicise all fees and costs by apprentices and ensure fees collection in line with Vietnamese legal regulations, and simplify a number of Japan’s administrative papers for migrant workers.

Under the program, Vietnam will continue with apprentice exchange with Japan, cooperate in the training of interns and share human resources with bachelor degrees, thus facilitating Vietnamese university and college graduates’working and studying in Japan.

In recent years, Japan’s strategy was to offer employment opportunities for unskilled workers, however, from 2018 onwards, it will create opportunities for Vietnamese engineers. This is a breakthrough which will help young people showcase their talents.

Large recruitment of technicians with the highest ever number is a major difference in Japan’s Technical Intern Training Program next year, thereby opening up considerably more job opportunities for Vietnamese workers after returning home.

A representative from the Overseas Labour Management Department states that Japanese businesses will be recruiting a high number of workers holding degrees this year under a program to send technicians and engineers to Japan.