Society

Seminar discusses regulations on gender equality for guest workers

A seminar looking at the labour law in relation to contracted guest workers’ gender equality was held in Ho Chi Minh City on March 11.
Seminar discusses regulations on gender equality for guest workers ảnh 1Illustrative photo (Source:Internet)

HCM City (VNA) – A seminar looking at the labour law in relation to contracted guest workers’ gender equality was held in Ho Chi Minh City on March 11.

There are 500,000 Vietnamese working overseas across 40 countries and territories. Among them, the rate of female labourers increased from under 20 percent in the 1990s to 35 percent in 2010. Most of these women work in factories, and some do household works or take care of old and ill people. They normally have lower social positions, earn less than their male peers and are not legally protected by the host countries.

Participants said Vietnam has yet to devise any policies supporting female citizens working abroad.

Despite their increasing number and significant contribution to home development, they face labour exploitation, sexual harassment, abuse and lack of payment overseas. Upon returning home, their difficulties continue with family problems and unemployment.

Participants urged the Government to issue guidance that will be used by labour-export companies to equip their contracted female workers with essential knowledge.

They stressed the need for a relevant legal framework to ensure safe labour export and welfare benefits for migrant workers.

According to Deputy Head of the Overseas Workers Management Department Pham Viet Huong, the law on gender equality states that law building and enforcement are required to include gender equality.

However, all legal documents guiding the implementation of the 2006 law on contract workers working overseas have failed to follow the regulation.

Assessments of and amendments to laws and legal documents from the perspective of gender equality can protect and empower female labourers who are more vulnerable aboard, he said.

The Ministry of Labour, Invalids and Social Affairs’ Overseas Workers Management Department and UN Women co-organised the seminar.

UN Women is also collaborating with the UN Development Programme to launch a campaign that urges young people to act against gender stereotypes and violence. The campaign runs from March 11 to 13.-VNA

VNA
#guest workers #gender equality #female citizens working abroad #safe labour export #migrant workers
Follow VietnamPlus

Related News

Migrant workers to receive services

Migrant workers to receive services

Six Vietnamese non-governmental organisations set up a network for migrant workers called M.net, which aims to help migrant workers receive better social welfare services.
Support should reach more migrant workers

Support should reach more migrant workers

Support for migrant labourers needs to be multiplied in Ho Chi Minh City as a number of problems have been seen in the group that constitutes a crucial part of the southern economic hub’s workforce.

See more

NA Chairman Tran Thanh Man inspects a constituency in Dong Nai province. (Photo: VNA)

Dong Nai works to ensure workers cast vote on Election Day

With the utmost regard for citizens’ electoral rights and responsibilities, and in a spirit of creating optimal conditions for workers, especially those employed in industrial parks and non-state enterprises, the provincial leader has requested that no overtime be scheduled during voting hours.

Zambia's Minister of Agriculture Reuben Mtolo Phiri (first, left), learns about the OM19 rice variety grown at Tien Thuan cooperative in Thanh Quoi commune,, Can Tho city (Photo: VNA)

Can Tho shares agricultural transformation experience with Zambia

Rice production remains Can Tho’s key industry. Alongside maintaining production, Can Tho has encouraged value chain linkages among farmers, cooperatives and businesses, while accelerating the application of science and technology, mechanisation and digital transformation in farming.

Staff members of the Hanoi Public Administrative Service Centre handle administrative procedures for local residents. (Photo: VNA)

Hanoi: 95% of administrative procedures to be handled from home

The plan targets that at least 80% of administrative procedures under the city’s authority will be provided as fully online public services, while more than 95% of applications will be received and processed entirely online. By June 30, 2026, about 80% of administrative procedures are expected to be restructured based on integrated data systems, with the figure rising to 95% by the end of the year.

Delegates at the SEAN Future Forum NextGen Workshop 2026 held in Jakarta, Indonesia on March 9 (Photo: VNA)

Vietnam contributes youth perspectives to AFF NextGen initiative

The ambassador expressed confidence that fresh perspectives, innovative thinking and lessons drawn from the workshop will be proposed to AFF 2026, representing the voice of the younger generation in shaping ASEAN’s future in line with their aspirations.

A young volunteer donates blood during the 2026 Red Sunday programme. (Photo: VNA)

Nearly 5,000 people join blood donation campaign in Ho Chi Minh City

According to health authorities, Vietnam collected nearly 1.75 million units of blood in 2025, with 98% from volunteer donors, equivalent to around 1.75% of the population participating in blood donation. Large-scale campaigns such as Red Sunday have played a key role in achieving these results.

More than 30 kilogrammes of various drugs trafficked from Cambodia to HCM City were seized in a police operation in March 2025. (Photo: VNA)

Ho Chi Minh City aims to become drug free by 2030

Every commune, ward or residential area in Ho Chi Minh City is expected to meet official drug-free standards by the end of 2029, while schools, hospitals, government offices, businesses and social organisations across the city are to remain free of drug activity.