In the heart of Ho Chi Minh City, Eastern Sea Labor Export, Services, and Trade (Estrala) is forging new connections between Vietnamese laborers and businesses in Poland and Germany. This initiative has gained momentum over the past few months as Estrala seeks to provide job opportunities that not only benefit the workers but also meet the labor demands of these European countries.
Currently, Estrala is in the process of sending 100 workers to Poland, where they will engage in the fruits and food packaging industry. With a competitive average monthly income of US$1,000, which includes insurance, this opportunity presents a lucrative option for Vietnamese workers. Eligible candidates must be healthy individuals aged 20 to 50 who have completed their high school education.
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Workers are trained before going overseas. Photo by VnExpress/An Phuong |
The working conditions for these laborers are designed to be supportive. They receive weekends off and enjoy provisions for accommodation, transportation, and meals. Additionally, they have the option to extend their contracts after an initial period of two years. In a bid to empower workers further, Estrala also offers free English language training, which can greatly enhance their employability and ease of adjustment in Europe. Moreover, the company assists workers in acquiring low-interest bank loans to facilitate their transitions.
Beyond Poland, Estrala is also expanding its labor export services to Germany. This move includes opportunities for both short- and long-term contracts in the thriving food industry, where demand for labor is high. Nguyen The Dai, Estrala’s deputy CEO, emphasizes the importance of diversifying their markets: “We are expanding to new markets to offer more choices for workers and reduce our dependency on a single market.” This diversification is a strategic response to the evolving economic landscape, particularly since Estrala has long been sending workers to Japan but has recently faced challenges due to currency fluctuations and increased competition from other labor exporters.
The European sector, particularly Germany, stands out as an attractive prospect for many Vietnamese workers. The food packaging industry in Germany offers enticing monthly base salaries that can reach EUR2,700 (approximately US$2,761). This newfound opportunity is not merely about earning a good wage; it also encompasses benefits such as free healthcare and education, as well as the possibility of long-term residency for workers who wish to bring their spouses and children.
Looking further afield, Australia is also emerging as a new labor market for Vietnamese workers. The Vietnamese government has approved six companies to implement a labor export program focused on the agriculture sector, presenting yet another avenue for job seekers. Nguyen Duc Nam, chairman of the International Manpower Supply and Trading Jsc (Sona), one of those selected firms, remarks, “This is an opportunity for Vietnamese workers in a new market.” The Australian government has set a target of allowing up to 1,000 Vietnamese workers to take agricultural jobs starting this year, thereby creating substantial opportunities in this burgeoning market.
In terms of remuneration, Australian wages are competitive, with workers receiving at least the national minimum wage of AU$24.10 (US$15.14) per hour or AU$915 (US$575) for a standard 38-hour workweek, before tax and living expenses. This, combined with the established expatriate communities, makes Australia a viable destination for many seeking work abroad.
Pham Viet Huong, deputy head of the Department of Overseas Labor, highlights the ongoing efforts to expand labor cooperation beyond traditional markets like Taiwan, Japan, and South Korea. Vietnam is actively pursuing agreements with several European nations, including Germany, Greece, Finland, and various Nordic countries. Potential markets such as France, Denmark, and Spain are also being explored, signifying a comprehensive approach to labor export.
Currently, over 650,000 Vietnamese workers are employed across more than 40 countries and territories worldwide. This expat workforce plays a crucial role in the economy, sending approximately US$3.5 to 4 billion in remittances back home annually. The standout destinations for Vietnamese workers continue to be Taiwan, Japan, and South Korea, with Japan leading for five years in terms of the intake of workers. While South Korea offers some of the highest earnings—monthly salaries that can range from US$1,600 to $2,000—Japan and Taiwan also provide competitive pay scales, enhancing their attractiveness.
In contrast, many Middle Eastern countries and Malaysia tend to offer lower wages, typically ranging from US$600 to $1,000 for skilled positions, and between US$400 and $600 for unskilled labor. As labor export dynamics shift, Vietnamese workers are increasingly looking toward opportunities in Europe and beyond, driven by the promise of higher salaries and improved working conditions.