Hanoi (VNA) – Vietnam and Finland have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) on cooperation on mobility of experts, skilled workers and seasonal labourers from Vietnam to work in Finland.
The MoU was inked by Vietnamese Minister of Labour, Invalids and Social Affairs Dao Ngoc Dung and Minister for Employment at the Finnish Ministry of Economic Affairs and Employment Arto Olavi Satonen as part of their talks in Hanoi on January 13.
Labourers have better working conditions in Finland
The five-year MoU establishes a partnership on labour migration within the respective jurisdictions of both parties, adhering to their current laws, procedures, and resources, while respecting international norms and standards. Sustainable and mutually beneficial cooperation serves as the cornerstone to promote the transparent, ethical, and sustainable deployment of experts, skilled workers, and seasonal labourers from Vietnam to Finland, preventing exploitation and abuse and ensuring compliance with the legal frameworks of both nations.
At the talks, Dung commended the positive outcomes of Vietnam-Finland cooperation thus far and informed the Finnish minister on Vietnam's expanding labour force abroad. Over the past few years, Vietnam has sent approximately 160,000 workers to work overseas on an annual basis. Currently, around 700,000 Vietnamese workers are employed across more than 30 sectors in 40 countries and territories.
Vietnamese workers are recognised for their youth, diligence, and intelligence, gaining increasing trust from international employers, including those in Finland, the minister said.
He added that since late 2023, the Ministry of Labour, Invalids and Social Affairs has approved applications from three Vietnamese service enterprises to supply 134 workers, including 65 women, to the European nation. So far, 55 of them have begun employment in Finland, earning a stable monthly income of 1,500-2,000 EUR with favourable working conditions and social benefits.
For his part, Satonen expressed his wish to strengthen bilateral cooperation to connect international businesses and experts. Finland pledged to support employers and professionals, ensuring smooth and successful recruitment processes.
Laura Lindeman, Senior Director, Head of Work in Finland at Business Finland, shared optimism about attracting Vietnamese workers to the European country. Work in Finland is making efforts to build bridges and enhance partnerships in Vietnam through initiatives that connect Finnish cities and companies with local partners.
Dealing with labour shortages due to population aging in Finland
At the Vietnam-Finland Labour Cooperation Forum organised by the Embassy of Finland in Vietnam in coordination with the Ministry of Labour, Invalids and Social Affairs on the same day, representatives of the Department of Overseas Labour Management and representatives of the Finnish Trade Office introduced the policies on supplying and receiving human resources between the two sides.
Some businesses sending Vietnamese workers to work abroad shared information on the ability of Vietnamese workers to meet the job requirements when going to Finland. These include characteristics such as diligence, agility and ability to grasp the jobs. There is also a language barrier and other necessary skills that Vietnamese workers need to supplement and strengthen to be able to meet the requirements when going to work in Finland. Some Finnish businesses also shared the need to receive foreign workers in industries such as technology, healthcare and the service sector.
Deputy Minister of Labour, Invalids and Social Affairs Le Van Thanh said that along with promoting vocational education and job creation in the country, Vietnam has a policy to promote the sending of Vietnamese workers to work abroad. In recent times, the sending of workers abroad has achieved many successes. The number of workers has increased every year; the quality and credibility of Vietnamese workers has constantly improved. Initially, skilled and hard-working Vietnamese workers have created prestige in the international labour market.
Meanwhile, Satonen said that the freshly-signed MoU on cooperation on mobility of experts, skilled workers and seasonal workers from Vietnam to work in Finland will be one of the solutions to help Finland solve the problem of labour shortages due to population aging. Vietnam is one of the high potential markets in the labour field for Finland, he added./.
