Dang Nguyen Anh Professor and Director, Institute of Sociology, Hanoi, Vietnam Dr. Dang Nguyen Anh has conducted a number of research projects and published widely on migration and labor mobility in the region. Anh cooperates and extends social networks to countries in East and Southeast Asia, and obtained his PhD in sociology at Brown University, USA. He also served as the vice-president of Vietnam Sociological Association. Abstract Low-Skilled Labor Migration from Vietnam 17 December 2015 Of different types of international migrants originated from Vietnam, unskilled or low-skilled workers form a major group. The number has been increasing over time and reached over a million workers currently. Many chose to migrate to ASEAN nations (Malaysia, Thailand, Lao PDR, Cambodia, Myanmar, etc.). Women constitute a substantial proportion of the low-skilled migrants with irregular status. Female workers often felt obliged to accept the most menial informal sector jobs, as they are confronted with both migrant- and gender-based discrimination. The organization currently involved in managing low-skilled labor migration in Vietnam is the Ministry of Labor and Social Affairs. Nevertheless the Ministry manages only the government s labor export program and is not responsible for those migrants who go to work abroad with their individual contracts and arrangements. Vietnamese migrants, particularly low-skilled workers, are often left on their own while working aboard. They are unprotected against abuse, exploitation, accidents, mortality, arrest or deportation. In serious cases, diplomatic representative agencies (under the Ministry of Foreign Affairs) would show up to assist the victims. The current situation requires the Ministries rising capacity to better assist and protect workers abroad. The paper concludes with recommendations for the government and stakeholders to pay more attention to labor migrants, especially the low-skilled workers, in terms of recognizing their contribution and the needs for protection. ASEAN nations will need to cooperate in managing labor migration more properly and effectively.
LOW-SKILL MIGRATION FROM VIETNAM Dang Nguyen Anh, PhD Institute of Sociology, Vietnam Sokusol Hotel, Bangkok, Thailand 17-18 December 2015
Outline of the presentation Key features in ASEAN Outflows of low-skilled labour migration Involved organizations Problems and challenges Conclusions and ways forward 2
1. Key Features in ASEAN ASEAN includes sending, transit, receiving countries of low-skilled migrants. Most sending countries focus on promoting foreign employment and remittances. Most movements informal or irregular in character including forced labour migration 3
Key Features in ASEAN (cont.) Immigration policy of receiving countries is governed by complexity of concerns - sovereignty (border control), security, labour market protection, foreign investment and domestic needs. Human right and protection standards, especially for low skilled workers, need considerable improvement in line with international standards. Sending and receiving States have different social, policy and legal frameworks. 4
2.Outflows of low-skilled labour migration Un/low-skilled workers form a major group of Vietnamese migrants deployed abroad. The number has been increasing over time and reached over a million workers currently. Many migrated to Malaysia, Thailand, Laos, Cambodia, and Myanmar, etc. to work in service and informal sectors, many of them are in irregular status. 5
Outflows of low-skilled labour migration Women constitute a substantial proportion of the low-skilled migrants with irregular status. Working as domestic workers, care givers, agricultural sector, etc. Female migrants face with both migrant and gender-based discriminations.
3. Organizations involved in Vietnam The Government gives priority prominence to overseas employment ( labour export policy) Responsible ministries cover only contract based workers or diaspora communities. Ministry of Labour and Social Affairs (MOLISA): narrow mandates - MOLISA manages only the government s labour export program and is not responsible for migrants working abroad Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MOFA) is concerned mainly for diaspora communities or assist Vietnamese citizens abroad. 7
4. Problems and Challenges Recruitment networks are costly and risky Migrant workers pay excessive fees and commissions, taken advantage by brokers Once migrants have left, the sending country s influences on their protection is limited. Poor capacity to protect national migrant workers overseas. Vulnerability to abuse and exploitation at places of destination 8
Vulnerabilities Not protected by laws of country of destination Attacked and punishment by employers Physical and sexual harassment Verbal abuse, body search High registration and visa fees Xenophobia, ill-treated by police No effective assistance in emergencies Fear of detention and deportation
5. Conclusions Lack of coordination among relevant ministries dealing with labour, foreign affairs, police and development. Lack of effective co-operation between sending and receiving countries in ASEAN in management of low-skilled labour migration. Lack of transparent policies with equal protection for both national and guest workers in line with international norms (Eg. ILO Framework on Labour Migration; ASEAN Decleration on the Protection and Promotion of the Rights of Migrant Workers) 10
Ways forward Recognizing contribution of migrant workers to destination countries and the need to promote their rights and protection Accepting that some long-term migrants need policies for settlement and integration (very few policies) Applying regional integration frameworks for managing low-skilled labour migration within ASEAN. Improving migration data and information to facilitate evidence based policies.
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