Many job positions waiting for workers
In early March, the dormitory capital near the Tan Tao Industrial Park (Binh Tan District, Ho Chi Minh City) was more lively when there was information that PouYuen Vietnam Co., Ltd. urgently needs to recruit 1,000 workers. In particular, workers who used to work at PouYuen had resigned, and workers over 40 years old, if healthy and skilled, were still accepted by the factory. This is the largest recruitment campaign of the company since cutting nearly 10,000 workers in 2023.
A representative of PouYuen Company said that the company’s business production situation has recovered, with orders until mid-2024. Many production workshops are short of labor and need to recruit additional workers to ensure progress. “After interviewing and skill testing, those who meet the requirements will be recruited, regardless of whether they are new or old workers. In addition to the basic salary of 5 million VND, workers also receive allowances such as living expenses, attendance, environment, overtime pay, and effective bonuses of 500,000 – 1 million VND…” – representative of PouYuen Company said.
As a company specializing in providing structural steel products for construction, the main markets of Dai Dung Mechanical Engineering Trading Joint Stock Company (An Ha Industrial Park, Binh Chanh District) are Japan, the United States, and the Middle East. Dai Dung continuously recruits workers. At the beginning of 2024, Dai Dung announced the recruitment of 1,000 workers. Mr. Nguyen Van Dinh, Director of Dai Dung Factory – An Ha, said that the company’s expected output in 2024 increased from 92,000 to 150,000 tons due to demand from partners in various markets. In addition to meeting the demand for on-site production lines, the recruitment of personnel also serves the expansion of existing factories (located in Long An, Quang Ngai) and the operation of new factories from early 2025 (located in Ba Ria – Vung Tau).
Enterprises with many orders, accelerating labor recruitment right from the beginning of the year (photo at Vietnam Tien May Corporation)
Ms. Le Thi Sang (32 years old, from Long An), a worker at Thien Phat Leather Shoes Company (Thu Duc District), shared: “Just after Tet, there were many orders, and overtime work increased every day, so everyone is excited. With this momentum, my average monthly income is about 12 – 13 million VND, enough to take care of my child’s education, pay rent, and still have savings. I hope the orders will be regular so that workers can work with peace of mind.”
Up to now, Thien Phat Leather Shoes Company has fulfilled orders until the end of the third quarter of 2024. Due to the large amount of goods and urgent delivery time, the company is recruiting about 50 workers, without age or skill requirements. “The company has a stable workforce, but due to the large amount of goods, we need to recruit additional workers to meet delivery deadlines. The encouraging sign is that there are people coming to submit resumes and try out every day. The company commits to fully pay salaries, bonuses, social insurance, and benefits as regulated” – Mr. Nguyen Van Phat, Director of the company, said.
“The Department of Labor, War Invalids and Social Affairs will continue to monitor the situation of workers returning to work after Tet, labor shortages in companies, and coordinate with agencies and organizations to implement programs to support workers, connecting labor supply and demand to help workers stabilize their jobs, and businesses concentrate on production and business activities.”
Deputy Director of Ho Chi Minh City Department of Labor, War Invalids and Social Affairs Limestone Thi Toi
Recruiting workers with high salaries up to 30 million VND/month, Ms. Tran Thi Le Quyen, in charge of the recruitment department of Vietnam Tien May Corporation (Tan Binh District), said that they had posted announcements in many places to recruit a large number of workers to work in Ho Chi Minh City right after Tet. “Usually, about 10% of workers leave after Tet, so we have to recruit additional workers to fill this workforce. There are many job positions waiting for workers in companies such as sewing, cutting, ironing, completion, packaging…” – Ms. Quyen said.
Retaining “golden resources”
To retain workers, Saigon Food Joint Stock Company (Binh Chanh District) not only offers good policies but also cares about the spiritual life of workers. Knowing that workers have difficulty buying tickets to return home for Tet, the company arranges transportation to pick up and drop off workers; organizes fun days during holidays to enhance their emotional connection… In difficult times, the company accepts reduced profits to ensure workers’ spiritual and material lives.
“The company always considers workers as valuable “assets”, so they are always the top priority regardless of any circumstances. Thanks to that, the company’s main production workforce has been stable for many years, and the majority of workers have had long-term attachment to the company” – Ms. Tran Thi Kieu Oanh, Director of Human Resources of Saigon Food Company said.
Regarding the worker attraction policy, Mr. Nguyen Van Tri, General Director of Lap Phuc Co., Ltd. (District 7), affirmed that the company’s honest treatment policy is the “sticky adhesive” that connects workers and helps maintain long-term resources. At Lap Phuc Co., everything is transparent from product unit prices to salary and welfare policies. In addition, the company regularly enhances knowledge and provides training in skills for workers, and supports maximum demand for skills improvement.
V.N.F Company (Binh Tan District) also retains workers by linking with banks to implement a project for workers to borrow money to stabilize their lives. “If the bank allows workers to borrow 20 million VND, the company will deduct a portion of the interest and principal from monthly income within 2 – 3 years. Doing so not only provides support but also effectively retains workers. Therefore, for many years, very few workers have left the company” – Ms. Le Thi My Chau – Director of V.N.F Company said.
At a meeting of the Ho Chi Minh City Department of Labor, War Invalids, and Social Affairs at the end of February, Ms. Tran Le Thanh Truc, Head of the Employment – Labor Safety Division of the Department, said that the labor market was showing positive signs. Currently, many companies have a demand to recruit thousands of workers to implement domestic and export orders. Based on the survey results of more than 3,200 companies, as of February 19, the rate of operating companies was about 98%, and workers returning to work reached 97%.
The latest report from the Ho Chi Minh City Statistics Department shows that the city’s industrial production activities in the first two months of 2024 showed signs of recovery. The Industrial Production Index (IIP) reached a positive growth rate of 4.3% compared to the same period after two consecutive years of decline. The Ho Chi Minh City Department of Industry and Trade also recognized that most companies have received orders. Especially, the two most difficult industries, wood, and textiles, have received orders until June, and some textile companies have received orders until the end of 2024.
Mr. Bui Ta Hoang Vu, Director of the Ho Chi Minh City Department of Industry and Trade, said that although exports in the first two months of the year have shown positive signs, the current world situation carries unexpected risks. Therefore, from now until the end of the year, the industry and trade sector will organize 17 trade promotion events to support businesses. In particular, in May, the Department will organize the Vietnam Export Fair to create opportunities for businesses to meet international purchasing teams, introduce products, seek partners, and develop markets…
