The struggle for employment among individuals over 40 has intensified, as they face a cocktail of age-related biases, health limitations, and exacting standards set by potential employers. This demographic is navigating a job market increasingly skewed in favor of younger workers, leading to frustration and uncertainty.
Take the case of Nguyễn Đình Phúc, a 40-year-old maintenance technician who traveled from Thường Tín District on the outskirts of Hà Nội to attend a recent job fair at the Hà Nội Employment Service Centre. After nearly six months of unemployment, he hopes to secure a new position. Phúc, who once repaired industrial sewing machines for a Japanese company, found himself laid off due to production challenges. Despite applying for over ten different roles, he’s faced a relentless stream of rejections.
In an interview with Tin Tức (News), Phúc expressed his feelings regarding the challenging job landscape. “The older you are, the harder it is to find work,” he lamented. He noted that companies often prefer younger candidates, which makes negotiations regarding pay and conditions smoother.
Similarly, Nguyễn Thị Hiền, who resigned from her position in Thái Nguyên Province at the end of 2023, explained the appeal of youth in the workforce. “Young workers on assembly lines need minimal training,” she commented, “sometimes just a week to get started. But companies typically operate on short-term contracts, favoring a constant influx of new faces.” This cycle leaves experienced workers like Hiền in a precarious situation, as they compete against younger, less experienced candidates for fewer available positions.
Trần Thị Thoan, aged 42, found herself in a comparable predicament after the company she dedicated 11 years to dissolved in 2023. Armed with extensive experience in the garment industry, she too faced repeated rejections, often rooted in age bias. “Many of my peers are in the same difficult situation,” she said, indicating a broader trend among older workers grappling with similar challenges. Amidst this tumult, she has opted to explore baking as a new career path, highlighting the need for adaptability in a rapidly changing job environment.
As people in their 40s hunt for opportunities to stabilize their lives, particularly in cities with soaring living costs, they encounter an evolving job market. Post-Lunar New Year, employment centers report a rising demand for roles in sectors like leather-footwear, garment-textile, business management, IT, and mechanical engineering. However, many of these positions come with specific skill requirements that predominantly favor younger applicants.
In an analysis of early-year recruitment trends, Vũ Quang Thành, Deputy Director of the Hà Nội Employment Service Centre, shed light on the shifting hiring landscape in the capital. “Companies are actively seeking candidates aged 18-30 to diversify their workforce,” he pointed out. While individuals over 35 may still be considered for managerial roles, the number of positions requiring such experience is dwindling.
Thành further emphasized the varying approaches companies take in workforce planning, noting an inclination toward younger, more physically fit workers in industrial hubs and export zones, especially for roles on production lines.
Concerns about the employment situation have also been raised by Hồ Minh Sơn, Director of the Institute for Market Research and International Communication. He remarked, “Some companies are seizing the tough times to replace older, higher-paid workers with younger ones, who command lower salaries and are perceived as more productive.” This trend not only impacts job opportunities for older workers but highlights the need for a proactive approach to skill upgrading to maintain competitiveness in the job market.
The Ministry of Labour, Invalids, and Social Affairs has identified a pressing issue: the one-time withdrawal of social insurance funds, particularly prevalent among workers in low-skilled industries like textiles and seafood processing. To counter this, the ministry advocates comprehensive measures, such as preferential retirement policies and robust support for job transitions and vocational training.
Such initiatives aim to leverage the wealth of experience and expertise within the workforce, ensuring ongoing engagement in meaningful employment. Additionally, the ministry is spearheading efforts to bolster vocational training programs, which are deemed essential in equipping workers with the necessary skills for contemporary job roles. By addressing fundamental issues such as skill gaps and industry demands, these initiatives provide a pathway to long-term employment stability.
Looking ahead, the ministry is collaborating with various stakeholders to review and refine existing employment laws, introducing amendments to create a more inclusive and supportive environment for workers. This holistic approach encompasses not only reactive measures like unemployment benefits and job placement services but also proactive strategies aimed at fostering business sustainability and preserving employment opportunities for all.