South Korea offers Vietnamese workers competitive wages

South Korea has become a highly appealing destination for Vietnamese workers, boasting attractive working conditions and competitive salaries.

It is also one of the key markets in Vietnam’s labor export activities. This country is expected to allow the recruitment of foreign workers with E-9 visas in the hotel and apartment rental industries. If this policy expands, workers from Quang Tri will have more options to choose from in export occupations.

In August 2023, 32-year-old Nguyen Van Than from Dong Giang Ward, Dong Ha City, embarked on a life-changing journey to work in South Korea. He signed a contract with a shipbuilding company under the Hyundai Group for nearly five years. Contrary to his initial worries, Than now finds himself thriving in a supportive and fulfilling working environment, bringing him immense satisfaction and hope for the future.

The family of Hoang Kim Thuy in Hai Khe commune, Hai Lang district, is overjoyed as their children secure stable incomes from working abroad. - Photo: T.B.

Before leaving, Than had only completed his education up to the 11th grade, having left school early to marry and start a family. However, in 2023, with the encouragement of his family, he began exploring labor export opportunities. Determined to change his life, he secured a loan from the Provincial Social Policy Bank to finance his journey to South Korea.

Thanks to the mechanical skills he had honed over the years, the job in South Korea proved to be a perfect fit for his talents and abilities. With a monthly salary of VND39 million (US$1,599), he is now able to send money home to pay off debts and support his children’s education, fulfilling his dreams for a brighter future for his family.

Than’s experience is not unique. In Tham Khe Village, Hai Khe Commune, Hai Lang District, many fishermen lost their livelihoods due to the devastating environmental impact of the Formosa disaster, which polluted the sea. Amid this hardship, Hoang Kim Thuy, born in 1995, held onto a dream of working abroad. However, financial constraints within his family made it difficult for him to pursue that dream, leaving him to navigate the challenges of his circumstances.

Thuy then learned about preferential loan programs for people whose family members have served the revolution, which enabled him to borrow VND100 million (around US$4,100) from the Vietnam Bank for Social Policies, along with additional support from family members. With this financial backing, he could finally pursue his dream of working in South Korea.Although his fishing job in South Korea was vastly different from the nearshore fishing, he was accustomed to. Thuy’s determination and eagerness to learn helped him adapt quickly.

Thuy’s labor contract has been extended, enabling him to continue his work in South Korea. In 2023, his younger brother, Hoang Kim Thuyen, also joined him there, earning VND30 million (US$1,230) per month in the fishing industry. Their sister, Hoang Thi Thuy, proudly shared, "My older brother has paid off his debts, built a house, and saved up capital to start a business upon his return. Thanks to labor export, my youngest brother has also stabilized his life.

"The South Korean labor market is increasingly attracting Vietnamese workers. By early 2024, 1,503 individuals from Quang Tri had participated in labor export exams, with 466 applicants submitting their paperwork. Between January and August, 311 workers made the journey to South Korea, doubling the number from the same period last yearIn 2024, South Korea is set to recruit 15,374 Vietnamese workers across various sectors, including manufacturing, construction, agriculture, and fisheries. The manufacturing sector is anticipated to have the highest demand, with 11,246 positions available.

By the end of December 2023, the Department of Overseas Labor Management announced that South Korea would expand its pilot program to recruit foreign workers with E-9 visas for the hotel and apartment rental sectors. This expansion is expected to generate new job opportunities in four major tourist destinations: Seoul, Busan, Gangwon, and Jeju.

However, this policy also comes with certain risks. Recently, some individuals and organizations have exploited this information to illegally advertise and recruit workers for unlicensed sectors, such as domestic work. The Vietnam Department of Overseas Labor Management has emphasized that no labor supply contracts for these sectors have been approved.

To avoid falling victim to scams, workers are advised to carefully verify information before making the decision to work in South Korea. They should reach out to their local Department of Labor, War Invalids, and Social Affairs, the Overseas Labor Center, or authorized companies for accurate and safe guidance. While labor export can present significant opportunities, it is essential for workers to stay cautious and well-informed to protect themselves.

Thuy Ba - Tung Lam