Government eyes illegal foreign workers
The Government is to take a hard line on foreigners working illegally in Viet Nam while also scrutinising the rules covering their employment.
 |
|
International experts with legal work permits, like those at Dung Quat Oil Refinery in Quang Ngai Province, are welcomed, but the Government is cracking down on foreigners working illegally. |
Prime Minister Nguyen Tan Dung has asked the Ministry of Labour, Invalids and Social Affairs to co-ordinate with relevant ministries and make suggestions on any amendments to the regulations covering foreign workers.
Labour ministry’s Employment Department deputy director Le Quang Trung said companies which used foreign workers without the proper permits would be told to follow the law. Failure to act within a stipulated time would result in fines.
The ministry would also ask the Ministry of Public Security to expel workers employed by investors and contractors without the proper work permit, he said.
An estimated 15,000 workers were illegally using tourist visas, said the labour ministry’s Deputy Minister Nguyen Thanh Hoa. Most were from other Asian countries.
Foreigners without certificates or recognised skills are not allowed to work in Viet Nam but figures provided by provincial labour, invalids and social affairs departments show that of the 50,000 workers from more than 40 countries – 30 per cent, or 15,000, have tourist visas.
Most work in the construction industry where contractors and investors connive to break the law.
An official of an Ha Noi construction company, who asked to remain anonymous, told Viet Nam News that 40 Chinese engineers who worked at the city construction site had tourist visas.
The project, a joint-venture between her employer and a Chinese company, started last year.
“The contract required the Chinese company to send its engineers and other workers. We agreed because they were to transfer their technology to us,” she said.
“I have not obtained work permits for them because I’m not sure when the project will end,” she said.
“Instead, I have had to have their tourist visas continuously extended.”
A Quang Ninh coal-fired electricity station employs 1,800 Chinese whose tasks range from treating waste water to cooking, cleaning and installing turbines.
Dung said the Government Decree 34/2008/ND-CP stated that foreigners who wanted to work must be qualified, in good health and at least 18.
This included managers, executive directors and workers in the medical, pharmaceutical, education and vocational training industries.
All must get a work permit from the appropriate State agencies.
People employed for less than three months do not need a permit but must have a certificate proving their skills and a minimum of five years’ experience.
Prime Minister Dung said Viet Nam’s integration and investment, trade and other links with countries in the region and wider world had rapidly enhanced its development.
Many issues of concern needed to be resolved, such as the import of out-of-date equipment, machinery and technology and the increase of foreign workers.
Violations of labour laws must be reported to the Government before the end day of next month, the Prime Minister said.
Dung has asked the Ministry of Planning and Investment to quickly implement ways to attract foreign investment while also checking and adjusting 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 co-ordinate with the Ministry of Planning and Investment and others to issue standard rules on the environment, equipment, technology and mineral exploration.
VietNamNet/Viet Nam News
Comments