A company sets up a recruitment table on the street to find workers. Photo: H.C.
In the first days of March, reporters from Tien Phong conducted fieldwork to observe the labor recruitment situation in major industrial parks in Binh Duong such as Kim Huy, Dai Dang, Song Than, and VSIP. Many companies set up recruitment boards, arrange tables, and have staff members accept job applications right on the road near the company entrance. These companies offer attractive incomes ranging from 8-12 million VND/month in their job postings, but job seekers are scarce. Some individuals showed up to submit their applications but were rejected right from the start under the reason that the company only needs skilled labor.
Standing at the job application reception on the road at Song Than Industrial Park (Binh Duong), Ms. Luu Uyen, HR staff member at Esprinta VN Company, said that the company needs to recruit 500 garment workers and other positions with a total income of over 8.5 million VND/month. Despite several days of searching, the company hasn’t found enough laborers, so they offer a bonus of 1 million VND/worker to those who successfully bring in new employees.
At Premier Global Company (VSIP Binh Duong Industrial Park), there is now a stable number of orders, with a need for 1,000 garment workers. The company is ready to accept new workers and still pays salaries during the probation period. In charge of the recruitment, a staff member at Premier Global Company said that they faced recruitment difficulties after the Lunar New Year. Some workers did not return, causing a labor shortage in the factory. Besides, the company expanded its production scale, needing more laborers, but there are fewer applicants.
In response to the demand of businesses, labor supply units in Binh Duong province have implemented various plans to attract both local and external workers, but the results have not been promising. Mr. Tran Van Hung, the representative of Binh Duong Labor Supply Company, said that they have tried all means, but the number of applicants remains limited.
According to labor supply companies, the current recruitment activities face difficulties due to the wave of layoffs when businesses lack production orders. In the past two years, tens of thousands of workers in Binh Duong have been laid off. After losing their jobs, they returned to their hometowns or changed professions, often finding temporary jobs such as housekeeping, selling lottery tickets, or doing odd jobs.
In order to help businesses replenish the labor force shortage, functional agencies in Binh Duong have assigned personnel to provide job counseling and placements for those who register for unemployment benefits and social insurance claims. Mr. Nguyen Thanh Phuong, Deputy Director of the Binh Duong Employment Services Center, said that their unit collects and builds a database of unemployed workers to connect with businesses in need of recruitment, giving jobless individuals a chance to return to the labor market.
Meanwhile, Mr. Pham Van Tuyen, Deputy Director of the Department of Labor, Invalids, and Social Affairs of Binh Duong province, added that currently, some professions are seeing good recovery, such as wood processing, leather and footwear, and garment manufacturing. Companies in these industries have a need for additional labor, creating many job opportunities for those seeking employment.
According to the forecast of the Binh Duong Department of Labor, Invalids, and Social Affairs, labor demand will increase significantly and last until the end of the second quarter of 2024. There will be about 35,000 workers participating in the labor market (the majority aged 18-45), which is enough to meet the demand of businesses in the area.
According to Mr. Tuyen, in order to retain and attract workers, besides the support policies from government agencies, businesses need to have reasonable salary and welfare systems. At the same time, companies need to provide a safe working environment and support workers in enhancing their skills.
On March 12, Mrs. Nguyen Hoang Bao Tran, Vice Chairwoman of the Binh Duong Trade Union, said that based on surveys, local businesses are facing difficulties in labor recruitment after the Lunar New Year due to various reasons. One of the main reasons is that industrial parks and many businesses have been established in most provinces. Many workers decide to stay in their hometowns looking for employment. Although wages for laborers in Binh Duong are relatively high, many still prefer to work close to their families and relatives.
