“Domestic workers often work in isolated environments and mostly not protected by law in terms of wages, working hours, rest breaks, or social security. They themselves are at risk of being exploited, involved in forced labor, and even human trafficking, but the complaint mechanism is still limited”. This is one of the findings shared by Ms. Nguyen Mai Thuy, National Project Coordinator at the International Labour Organization (ILO).
Viet Nam ranks second in the region in terms of the number of people working abroad. According to the Department of Overseas Labor Management (DOLAB) – Ministry of Labour, Invalids and Social Affairs, Viet Nam currently has approximately 650,000 workers working in 40 countries and territories around the world. These workers are engaged in various industries and jobs, with the majority (80%) in the manufacturing sector, including mechanics, textiles, footwear, and electronics assembly. The remaining 20% are employed in construction, agriculture, aquaculture, and service sectors, such as elderly care, healthcare, and domestic work.
In 2023 alone, 160,000 individuals went to work overseas under contracts, with women accounting for approximately 35%. Such migration offers economic benefits, contributes to national development and poverty reduction, and enhances women’s status within their families and society.
However, these opportunities come with their share of problems. Without adequate pre-departure skills, women working abroad are susceptible to exploitation, physical abuse, and sexual violence. These problems are particularly pronounced in sectors such as caregiving and domestic work, which employ a high proportion of women. Accessing support services in destination countries is often challenging. Physical, mental, and social consequences for women—such as sexually transmitted infections and unintended pregnancies—are often more severe in cases of abuse.
To address these issues, on December 05, 2024, the programme “Shaping development-oriented migration” (MEG), implemented by GIZ, in cooperation with Center for Creative Initiatives in Health and Population (CCIHP) and LIGHT Institute for Development & Community Health organized the “National forum on promoting safe migration for Vietnamese women working abroad in the caregiving and domestic work sectors”. The discussion aims to examine the risks faced by women migrating to work in caregiving and domestic work, identify achievements and gaps in current policies and programs, and develop recommendations for stakeholders.
55 representatives from DOLAB, Migrant Resource Center (MRCs) and Employment Service Center (ESCs) of 6 provinces, ILO, International Organization for Migration (IOM), Viet Nam Associaction of Manpower Supply (VAMAS) and other civil society organizations (CSOs) participated. Through the forum, the participants had the chance to discuss on the gaps and areas for improvement in public and private services provided by enterprises sending workers abroad to ensure safe migration for female workers in caregiving and domestic work. Good practices were also presented on safe migration and discuss recommendations and collaboration opportunities among stakeholders to mitigate risks and safeguard the rights of female migrant workers in caregiving and domestic work.
Closing the event, proposals for improving regulations on the safety of Vietnamese women migrating abroad to work in caregiving and domestic work was brought up by representatives participated in the event from ILO, VAMAS, CSOs.
“The law currently has mechanisms to support workers, but the way of organizing and implementing these at the local level, by social organizations and enterprises needs to be improved. Another important issue is to strengthen inspection and examination of enterprises carrying out dispatch work. And we also need to consider adding regulations on enterprises having to buy insurance for workers at a minimum level when going to work abroad. In addition, enterprises also need to ensure reviewing their dispatch activities, coordinating with organizations and local authorities in educating and orienting workers before departure”, shared Mr. Nguyen Gia Liem, VAMAS Advisor, Former Deputy Director of the Department of Overseas Labor Management
With this, the MEG programme in Viet Nam aims to strengthen partnerships between government agencies, social organizations, and international organizations to support the safe and successful migration of women, particularly in caregiving and domestic work sectors.
Thumbnail photo by Monstera Production: https://www.pexels.com/photo/close-up-shot-of-a-person-holding-an-airplane-toy-7412002/
