Vietnam and Japan will step up cooperation in wage policy, labour relations, vocational training, social and unemployment insurance, and social welfares for the elderly.

To this effect, an agreement was signed between visiting Vietnamese Deputy Minister of Labour, War Invalids and Social Affairs Nguyen Thanh Hoa and Japanese Minister of Health and Labour Tamura Norihisa in Tokyo on May 13.

Addressing the signing ceremony, Tamura highlighted the developing relationship between Vietnam and Japan, saying that the agreement is significant for fostering bilateral ties as well as collaborations between the two ministries.

He said his ministry will closely cooperate with other Japanese agencies such as the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) to promote affiliation with the Vietnamese side.

Deputy Minister Hoa expressed his wish that the two ministries will have specific projects to realise this agreement. The official suggested the Japanese side support Vietnam in perfecting its institutional and legal system, with amendments to the Labour Law and the Law on Food Safety and Hygiene as priorities.

Hoa called on Japanese agencies to increase the number of Vietnamese apprentices, orderlies and nurses working in the country.

Tamura affirmed that Japan is ready to help Vietnam perfect its legal framework and spoke highly of the quality of Vietnamese orderlies and nurses. He also expressed his hope to continue receiving and training others from Vietnam.-VNA