Ms Ngan was the first Cabinet member to answer the deputies’ queries, focusing on solutions to deal with the large number of illegal foreign workers in Vietnam and job creation for those unemployed as a result of the economic slowdown. 

Foreign labourers under scrutiny
Deputy Vo Thi Thuy from Binh Dinh province raised concerns about the increase in the number of foreign labourers in Vietnam, reducing Vietnamese people’s chance to find jobs.

Minister Ngan affirmed that the movement of labourers among countries is an inevitable trend during the integration process. Though the Labour Code and Government Decree No34 stipulate that only skilled foreign workers are accepted in Vietnam, many unskilled workers have entered the country for different reasons like sightseeing or visit to relatives. She quoted statistics from provinces and cities, saying less than half the total number of such foreigners have been licensed to work in Vietnam. However, State management agencies have not received any reports about the other half from their employers.

According to Minister Ngan, the problem cannot be solved overnight and any solutions to be introduced must be based on bilateral cooperation agreements between Vietnam and concerned countries.

To reduce the number of illegal foreign workers, Ms Ngan proposed that State agencies tighten the management of immigration and control of foreign residence in Vietnam as well as the use of foreigners as workers in localities and businesses.

“We will investigate to see whether they satisfy our criteria. If they fail, they are encouraged to leave the country with assistance from our relevant agencies,” said Ms Ngan. She also proposed that the National Assembly issue a resolution regarding foreign workers in Vietnam. “We have issued the Law on sending Vietnamese guestworkers abroad under contract. As new problems arise, we should consider the recruitment of foreign workers in Vietnam,” said Ms Ngan.

1.45 million new jobs for 2009
Deputy Nguyen Thanh Tam from Tay Ninh province asked if the Ministry of Labour, Invalids and Social Affirs (MOLISA) would adjust the target for job generation this year after the government proposed that the National Assembly lower the country’s GDP target growth rate due to the negative effects of the global economic recession.

Minister Ngan affirmed that any GDP adjustments also affect the target for employment. “It is unlikely that more jobs will be created when GDP growth slows,” said Ms Ngan. She said that approximately 1.45 million jobs are expected to be created this year if the GDP growth rate is set at 5 percent.

According to her, MOLISA is putting the finishing touches to a project on vocational training reform through 2020 and another project on vocational training for rural people. The two projects will be submitted to the Prime Minister for consideration in June.

Deputy Nguyen Dinh Lieu from Ninh Thuan province asked Minister Ngan if MOLISA would increase allowances for people with disabilities when they are sent to vocational training courses. 

Minister Ngan agreed with deputy Lieu’s proposal that disabled people should receive higher levels of allowance than ordinary people. She said that besides assistance to vocational training centres, disabled trainees should be provided with documents, accommodation and travel expenses.

Employment for young people
Deputy H’Luoc Ntor from Dak Lak province asked Minister Ngan about MOLISA’s assistance programme for young people, especially those from ethnic groups, to get steady jobs. The deputy pointed out that many young people in rural areas are still jobless even though they have graduated from colleges or vocational training schools.

In reply, Minister Ngan underlined the need to draw up economic development programmes at grassroots level, saying robust growth is a key factor behind job generation. She expressed her hope that when projects on vocational training for rural, ethnic and poor young people are carried out, they would offer increased opportunities for job seekers.

She also talked about the government’s pilot programme to send labourers from 61 poor districts across the country to work abroad. In addition, she said MOLISA will prioritise selecting those from remote and mountainous regions as beneficiaries of the programme .