No Weekend Breaks: Seafood Companies Struggle to Recruit Workers

Mr. Hoang Trong Hung, Director of the Atlantic Seafood Factory, stated that the company is in need of approximately 500 workers to meet production demands for the upcoming peak season. However, the company is facing significant challenges in recruiting employees.

“Workers typically prefer weekends off, such as Saturdays and Sundays. Currently, the seafood industry lacks sufficient manpower to accommodate weekend breaks, making it difficult for companies to attract workers,” said Mr. Hung.

Without weekend breaks, seafood companies struggle to compete with other industries like electronics, footwear, and textiles in terms of recruitment. Despite offering an average monthly salary of over 10 million VND, workers remain uninterested.

Ms. Tran Thi Hanh, representative of New Wind Seafood Company, shared that apart from the lack of weekend breaks, the unpleasant working environment—characterized by foul odors, cold temperatures, and humidity—also discourages workers from joining the seafood processing industry. The labor shortage has persisted for an extended period.

To address these issues, some companies have implemented various strategies to attract workers during the peak season.

Ms. Le Thi Minh Phu, CEO of Minh Phu Hau Giang Seafood Company, mentioned that her company offers support policies such as shuttle services, employee housing, and additional income supplements. These initiatives have been effective in retaining workers.

Mr. Tran Hai, representative of a seafood processing company in Ho Chi Minh City, stated that his company is cutting unnecessary expenses to focus on increasing worker income. This approach is crucial for stabilizing the workforce.

“Over the past two years, worker income has increased by approximately 15%. Seafood processing workers earn an average monthly salary ranging from 9 to 11 million VND,” said Mr. Hai.

According to the Vietnam Association of Seafood Exporters and Producers (VASEP), the Mekong Delta is the largest seafood production and processing hub in the country. The region hosts over 300 seafood businesses and processing facilities, employing more than 800,000 workers. However, labor recruitment in the seafood industry has been challenging for many years.

To mitigate the labor shortage, many companies have integrated modern machinery into their production processes. For instance, cutting machines can operate 30–50 times faster than humans, replacing 30% of skilled workers with 100% accuracy.

VASEP also emphasizes that improving employee benefits and working conditions is essential for retaining workers. Seafood companies should focus on enhancing allowances, salaries, housing support, and workplace environments.

Companies should organize centralized recruitment programs and collaborate with local authorities to attract workers from other regions. Additionally, training and skill development programs are necessary to reduce turnover and address labor shortages in the seafood industry.

In the first 10 months of 2025, the export value of agricultural, forestry, and aquatic products reached over 58.1 billion USD, a nearly 13% increase compared to the same period in 2024. Seafood exports contributed 9.31 billion USD, up nearly 13%.

The Ministry of Agriculture and Environment predicts that the year-end period will see a surge in seafood consumption in key markets such as the U.S., China, Japan, and Europe, offering significant growth potential. Products like shrimp and pangasius are in high demand from supermarkets and restaurants.

The seafood industry is projected to achieve a 10–15% growth target compared to 2024, with export revenues expected to reach 10–11 billion USD.