More than 2,700 Vietnamese guest workers in the Republic of Korea (RoK) flocked to Seoul capital on Aug. 30 for a get-together held by the Vietnamese Embassy for the 2nd time since 2008.

Vietnamese Minister of Labour, War Invalids and Social Affairs Nguyen Thi Kim Ngan praised the embassy’s initiative to host the “Vietnamese Workers Day in the RoK.”

The function was an opportunity for Vietnamese guest workers to meet each other for exchanges as well as increase mutual understanding, friendship and multifaceted cooperation between the Vietnamese and RoK people, she said.

The minister told participants that last year, the two labour ministries agreed to extend the labour cooperation programme under the RoK’s Employment Permit System (EPS), paving the way for thousands of Vietnamese workers to work in the RoK.

RoK Labour Minister Lee Young-hee said Vietnam now tops the list of 15 countries which are sending workers to the RoK in accordance with its EPS.

Currently, more than 45,000 Vietnamese workers are working in over 1,500 local small- and medium-sized enterprises, he said, stressing that they have contributed remarkably to operations of these businesses as well as economic development of the RoK.

Minister Lee Young-hee said his government has spared no efforts to help foreign workers to integrate into the local community and his ministry will continue to support the hosting of similar events in the future.

A range of useful activities, including sports competitions, art performances and free medical check-ups for the participants were organised as part of the event, which also saw the attendance of Vietnamese Ambassador to the RoK Pham Tien Van and President of the Korea International Labour Foundation Kang Sung-chun.

The RoK’s Labour Ministry and relevant agencies took this occasion to give consultancy to those who are facing difficulties related to salary payment and other policies./.