A conference on labour cooperation between Vietnam and the Republic of Korea (RoK) was held in the northern province of Hai Duong on August 10, on the occasion of the 20 th anniversary of the two countries’ diplomatic ties.

National Assembly Vice Chairwoman Nguyen Thi Kim Ngan, Deputy Prime Minister Nguyen Thien Nhan and RoK Ambassador to Vietnam Ha Chan-ho attended the event.

Participants at the conference pointed out advantages and disadvantages in sending workers to the RoK. Most of them said the RoK is an ideal market for Vietnamese labourers with high incomes, favourable working conditions, simple procedures with low costs and transparent recruitment.

In addition, Vietnamese workers are favoured by RoK employers because of their industriousness, creativeness and quick integration into the life in the host country.

Therefore, among 14 countries which send workers to the RoK, Vietnam takes the lead in the number of people selected by RoK employers, under the Employment Permit System (EPS).

However, they also noted the fact that workers whose work permits expire still stay illegally in the RoK, while some others ask to change their place of work with unpersuasive reasons, causing difficulties for Korean management agencies.

Speaking at the event, Deputy PM Nhan said that, labour cooperation between Vietnam and the RoK has been positive, contributing to the socio-economic development of each country.

He urged relevant agencies to pay attention to educating Vietnamese workers on their responsibility whilst in the country and have respect for the law of the RoK.

Vietnam and RoK began labour supply in 1993. About 70,000 Vietnamese people are working in the RoK under the agreement between the Vietnamese Ministry of Labour, War Invalids and Social Affairs and the RoK’s Ministry of Employment and Labour.

In addition, Vietnamese businesses annually send about 1,000 people to work on Korean fishing ships. More than 200 Vietnamese engineers and experts work in the RoK under the Gold Card Programme./.