Prime Minister Nguyen Tan Dung has asked the Ministry of Labour, Invalids and Social Affairs (MOLISA) to coordinate with relevant ministries and make suggestions on any amendments to the regulations covering foreign workers.

MOLISA’s Employment Department deputy director, Le Quang Trung, said companies which use foreign workers without the proper permits will be told to follow the law. Failure to act within a stipulated time would result in fines.

The ministry also asked the Ministry of Public Security to expel workers employed by investors and contractors with out a proper work permit, he said.

An estimated 15,000 workers are illegally using tourist visas, said the labour ministry’s Deputy Minister Nguyen Thanh Hoa. Most are from other Asian countries.

Foreigners without certificates or recognised skills are not allowed to work in Vietnam but figures provided by provincial labour, invalids and social affairs departments show that of the 50,000 workers from more than 40 countries, 30 percent, or 15,000, have tourist visas.

Most work in the construction industry where contractors and investors connive to break the law.

Prime Minister Dung said that while Vietnam’s process of international integration has rapidly enhanced its development, it has also posed many issues of concern, such as the import of out-of-date equipment, machinery and technology and the increase of illegal foreign workers.

Violations of labour laws must be reported to the Government before the end of next month, the Prime Minister said.

He has asked the Ministry of Planning and Investment to quickly implement ways to attract foreign investment while also checking and adjusting the rules on foreign investment to avoid licensing projects that use outdated technology and equipment.

The Ministry of Natural Resources and the Environment has been told to coordinate with the Ministry of Planning and Investment and others to issue standard rules on the environment, equipment, technology and mineral exploration.