Domestic workers have been severely affected by the Covid-19 pandemic. (Photo: ILO) In Vietnam, domestic workers are now subject to labor laws, but the challenge that Vietnam currently faces is compliance with the law. These are the comments of the International Labor Organization (ILO) in its latest report published on June 15. On the occasion of International Labor Day Domestic Workers (June 16), the ILO released the Report Making Decent Work a Reality for Domestic Workers: Progress and Prospects in Asia and the Pacific Duong. The report shows that, ten years after the adoption of the Domestic Workers Convention of 2011 (Convention No. 189), the majority of domestic workers in the Asia-Pacific region ( 61.5%) are still completely out of the scope of national labor laws while 84.3% of them still work in informal jobs. The absence of national labor laws and the high level of informality continue to severely affect the working conditions of domestic workers in the Asia-Thailand region. Binh Duong. More than 50% of domestic workers are concentrated in the Asia-Pacific region Chihoko Asada Miyakawa, Director of the ILO Regional Office for Asia and the Pacific, said that there is an urgent need to formalize domestic work in Asia and the Pacific, starting with employment. domestic help is regulated by labor law and social security to ensure this important worker enjoys the protection and respect they deserve. The Philippines is the only country in the Asia-Pacific region that has ratified the Domestic Labor Convention ten years after its ratification. According to statistics, the Asia-Pacific region has 38.3 million domestic workers aged 15 and over (of which 78.4% are female), equivalent to 50.6% of domestic workers. families around the world, and this is the largest employer of domestic workers worldwide. In which, China accounts for the majority of these workers (22 million). This is also the region that employs the most male domestic workers, accounting for 46.1% of the male labor rate. families around the world. The data shows that the majority of domestic workers in the region are not subject to any limits on working hours (71%) or enjoy weekly leave (64%) under the provisions of the Labor Code. current labor law. The report also shows that domestic workers are often the lowest paid in the labor market, especially when they work in the informal sector. It is estimated that the Covid-19 pandemic has had a major impact on domestic workers in the Asia-Pacific region due to the high level of informality and the lack of protections provided for in the law. leading to job loss. Their risk of losing their job is 2-3 times higher than that of other workers. Domestic workers in Vietnam need to be protected in practice Vietnam is one of the few countries in the region bringing domestic workers under the scope of labor law. The Labor Code 2019 and the accompanying Decree No. 145/2000/ND-CP stipulate that family workers must have a written contract that meets certain standards, including limits on working hours. and rest time. Among Southeast Asian countries, only in Vietnam are domestic workers entitled to a minimum wage at least equal to the minimum wage for other workers. According to ILO Vietnam Director, Dr. Chang-Hee Lee, although Vietnam has made significant progress, which includes bringing domestic workers under the protection of the labor law, But the challenge facing today is how to strengthen compliance with the law and close the gap between the protections provided in the law and the actual experience of domestic workers. According to a new ILO report, 19% of domestic workers in Vietnam work through service providers, and the number of domestic workers migrating abroad has continuously increased over the past decade. by. Since the outbreak of the Covid-19 pandemic, domestic workers have become much more vulnerable to job loss than other types of workers. Compared to the fourth quarter of 2019, the rate of domestic workers decreased by 17% in the second quarter of 2020, while the unemployment rate of other hired workers in the same period was only 6.1%. . In parallel with some domestic workers losing their jobs, others have reduced working hours. Both of these situations lead to a significant reduction in total wages received. In the second quarter of 2020, the working hours of domestic workers in Vietnam decreased by 24.7% compared to the fourth quarter of 2019. Due to job loss and reduced working hours, the wages that laborers earn Domestic helpers in Vietnam received decreased by 26.2%. By 2026, Vietnam is expected to ratify the ILO Domestic Workers Convention (Convention No. 189). In the Asia-Pacific region, there are still 61.5% of domestic workers who are not subject to labor laws. – 84.3% of domestic workers in the informal sector work in informal work, while this figure for other workers is 52.8%. – 64% of domestic workers in the Asia-Pacific region are not entitled to weekly leave…

The scene of the press conference at the main bridge point in Hanoi (Photo: HNV)

At the press conference, Mr. Pham Hoai Nam, Director of the Department of Population and Labor Statistics gave a brief report on our country’s labor and employment situation in the first quarter of 2021. Accordingly, it is confirmed that, in the first quarter of 2021, the Vietnamese labor market has suffered bad effects due to the 3rd outbreak of the COVID-19 pandemic.

The results of the labor market survey in the first quarter of 2021 recorded that the number of people participating in the labor market decreased compared to the previous quarter and compared to the same period in 2020. In the first quarter of 2021, the country had 9.1 million employees from 15 years of age and older are affected by COVID-19 outbreaks. The proportion of workers with informal jobs and underemployed workers both increased compared to the previous quarter and the same period of 2020. The most notable highlight of the labor market is the increase in income from the work of people. employees against the previous quarter and the same period of 2020.

Specifically, the labor force decreased compared to the previous quarter and the same period of 2020, the rate of trained labor increased, reaching 26.0%. The labor force aged 15 and over in the first quarter of 2021 was 51 million people, down from the previous quarter and the same period of 2020. The outbreak of the COVID-19 pandemic just before the Lunar New Year had changed. The uptrend is often seen compared to the same period of previous years. Normally, following population growth, the workforce in the following year always increases compared to the same period last year. However, the labor force in the first quarter of 2021 was nearly 200,000 people lower than the same period last year and about 600,000 lower than the same period when there was no epidemic (in 2019).

Video about employment situation in the first quarter of 2021 (Source: GSO)

The labor force participation rate in the first quarter of 2021 was estimated at 68.7%, down 1.6 percentage points from the previous quarter and 1.1 percentage points lower than the same period in 2020. The participation rate The labor force in urban areas is 66.7%, while that in rural areas is 69.9%. In terms of age groups, the labor force participation rate in urban areas is lower than in rural areas for most age groups, with the largest difference being observed in the age group 15-24 (urban : 41.2%; Rural: 48.0%) and group from 55 years old (urban: 35.0%; rural: 47.9%). This shows that people in rural areas enter the labor market earlier and leave the market much later than in urban areas; This is a typical feature of the labor market with a high proportion of the labor structure participating in the agricultural sector.

The rate of trained workers with diplomas and certificates from elementary or higher in the first quarter of 2021 is 26%, higher than that of the previous quarter and the same period of 2020. The rate of trained workers among urban areas and rural areas still have considerable disparities. This rate in urban areas reached 40.7%, 2.3 times higher than in rural areas (17.8%).

Out of a total of 23.2 million people aged 15 and over who did not participate in the labor market (outside the labor force) in the first quarter of 2021, 60.8% were in rural areas; they are mainly of school age and retirement.

The 3rd outbreak of the COVID-19 epidemic reduced the labor market recovery achieved in the last 2 quarters of 2020. Out of a total of 49.9 million employed, service sector accounted for the largest proportion with 39.5%, equivalent to 19.7 million people, followed by workers in the industry and construction sector, accounting for 32.3%, equivalent to 16.1 million people. . Labor in agriculture, forestry and fishery accounts for the lowest proportion, 28.2%, equivalent to 14.1 million people.

International expert from Bangkok bridge point, Thailand informed at the press conference (Photo: HNV)

In this first quarter, the number of people with informal jobs was 20.7 million, a decrease of 251.7 thousand people against the previous quarter and an increase of 525.4 thousand people over the same period of 2020. Rate of workers with non-employment jobs. Officially the first quarter of 2021 is 57.1%, up 1.1 percentage points from the previous quarter and 1.8 percentage points compared to the same period in 2020. This rate increases highly in rural areas and among women. gender.

The COVID-19 epidemic broke out for the third time just before and during the Lunar New Year, significantly increasing the number of underemployed workers compared to the previous quarter and the same period of 2020. The number of underemployed workers in working age quarter I 971.4 thousand people; an increase of 143.2 thousand people against the previous quarter and an increase of 78.7 thousand people over the same period in 2020. The number of unemployed people in working age in the first quarter was nearly 1.1 million people, a decrease of 137.0 thousand people against the previous quarter and increase 12.1 thousand people compared to the same period of 2020.

However, a remarkable highlight is that, the average monthly income of employees in the first quarter of 2021 reached 6.3 million dong, an increase of 339 thousand dong over the previous quarter and an increase of 106 thousand dong over the same period in 2020. In the first quarter of 2021 over the same period of 2020, the agriculture, forestry and fishery sector recorded the highest average income growth rate, up 5.2%; the service sector had the growth rate of 1.5% and the industry and construction sector had the lowest average income growth rate, up 0.8%. In particular, the monthly average income of wage and salaried workers in the first quarter of 2021 reached 7.2 million VND, an increase of 556 thousand VND against the previous quarter and 132 thousand VND over the same period of 2020.

Slide show an overview of the new statistical way (Photo: HNV)

In the framework of the press conference, Ms. Valentina Baccuci, Deputy General Director of ILO Vietnam expressed her pleasure because today’s press conference marks a special milestone of the General Statistics Office of Vietnam in particular and the Vietnamese statistics industry. Men in general have applied the latest international standard adopted in 2013 and are one of the 10 countries selected to pilot using this new standard in labor and employment statistics, helping to meet monitoring requirements. Labor efficiency in the new context contributes to help Vietnam achieve strategic goals in the future. “The new standard is very complex and demanding for statistics, from 2015-2017 was piloted in Vietnam and 2019-2020 started to collect in both old and new ways and continuously adjusted towards Reasonable effects to be officially announced today. Our ILO has been supporting the General Statistics Office continuously since 2017 and can be sure that the data published today is indeed recognized to meet the new international standard. Of course, no LFS is perfect, but this is also a clear testament to the determination to pursue data standardization by the General Statistics Office of Vietnam in particular and the Government of Vietnam in general. The ILO pledged to continue to accompany the General Department and the Government in that journey ”- said Ms. Valentina.

Sharing the same point of view, from the Bangkok bridge point in Thailand, Mr. Tite Habiyakare, an expert on labor statistics, ILO Asia-Pacific Regional Office emphasized the change in statistical criteria due to the drastic changes. of the new socio-economic period, changing the definition of labor and employment as well as understanding new aspects of employment in generating income, an important measure in the survey of statistics in the new standard./ .

From the first quarter of 2021, the General Statistics Office officially announced the statistics on labor and employment based on ICLS 19 standard. Moreover, to fully assess the volatility of the labor market over time. Time, the General Department will concurrently calculate and publish again the labor and employment statistics indicators according to ICLS 19 standards of the quarters from 2019 to now as a basis for comparison. Information on workers in self-employed jobs in the agriculture, forestry and fisheries sector are also recorded and disclosed.

According to the General Statistics Office (Ministry of Planning and Investment), the COVID-19 epidemic in 2020 and the first months of 2021 has pushed many workers into jobless status, at the same time forcing many people to become workers. have informal jobs.

In the first quarter of 2021, employed workers in urban areas increased by 114,300 people compared to the fourth quarter of 2020; down 90,200 people over the same period last year. In rural areas, the number of employed people increased by 508,900 compared to the fourth quarter of 2020 and decreased by 854,300 people over the same period last year. The proportion of labor force in the agriculture, forestry and fishery sector is 31.6% (corresponding to more than 17.05 million people); 31.7% of industry and construction sector (corresponding to 17.09 million people); 36.7% service sector (corresponding to 19.81 million people). Up to now, the number of employees aged 15 and over who are working is 53.4 million people, down 1.3 million; in which, the number of workers with informal jobs is 20.9 million, an increase of 233,000 people compared to the fourth quarter of 2020.

Workers working in production lines at factories were negatively affected by the COVID-19 outbreak. Photo: VNA.

Statistics show that the epidemic has caused the rate of workers with informal jobs to rise sharply in the first quarter of 2021, in contrast to the trend of decreasing this rate in recent years; businesses are forced to support with many measures, including measures to reduce labor (cut, take turns, etc.), to recruit seasonal workers, temporary workers to maintain operations. This leads to a decrease in the number of formal employees and an increase in the number of informal workers, leading to a rebound in the proportion of workers with informal employment after many years of continuous decline.

The COVID-19 epidemic also significantly increases the number of underemployed workers in economic sectors. The underemployment rate of workers in the age group is 2.51%, of which the underemployment rate in urban areas is 1.68%; Underemployment rate in rural areas is 2.93%. More than half of the underemployed people are currently working in agriculture, forestry and fisheries, accounting for 53.7%, down 15.6 percentage points over the same period last year; the industry and construction sector accounted for 20.2%, up 10.7 percentage points; the service sector accounted for 26.1%, up 4.9 percentage points. Thus, the current underemployment is not only concentrated in agriculture, forestry and fisheries, but is increasing in industry, construction and services.

For workers in the age group, the professional and technical qualifications are higher, the underemployment rate will be lower. The underemployment rate in the age group 2020 of workers without professional and technical qualifications is 2.87%; primary level is 2.25%; intermediate level is 1.58%; college is 1.52%; from university and above is 1.04%. Average monthly income of employees increased compared to the previous quarter, but still decreased compared to the same period last year. Average monthly income from employees’ work in the first quarter of 2021 reached 5.7 million dong, up 212,000 dong. VND compared with the previous quarter and decreased 108,000 VND against the same period last year.

Worryingly, the number of unemployed people in working age quarter I / 2021 was nearly 1.2 million, down 60,100 from the previous quarter and 136,800 people over the same period last year. The COVID-19 pandemic has made the unemployment rate of working age urban areas the highest increase compared to the same period in the past 10 years.

Although it increased higher than the previous year, the unemployment rate in urban areas did not exceed 4%, meeting the target set by the National Assembly in Resolution No. 85/2019 / QH-14 on the Development Plan. Socio-economic development in 2021. This, together with the GDP growth and other macro-balance indicators, can be seen as important evidence of the success of the Government in its efforts to achieve the dual goal. : disease prevention and socio-economic development.

Remove 3 “bottlenecks”

Leaders of the General Statistics Office said that, in the context of COVID-19 increasing the rate of unemployed workers, it is necessary to focus on removing 3 “bottlenecks” to actively respond and adapt to new developments. epidemic situation, both controlling the epidemic and promoting production and business.

Specifically, the ministries, branches and localities need to create conditions to continue solving difficulties for production enterprises. In which, focusing on reforming processes and procedures so that businesses can access simple, convenient and timely supporting policies to stimulate the economy as well as the demand for labor. These measures not only help businesses and employees escape the risk of bankruptcy, job loss and income reduction, but also create a driving force for production and business development.

On the other hand, localities actively implement specific support packages, diversify forms of subsidies, expand vocational training programs to suit many subjects, especially female workers and workers. Labor without technical and professional qualifications, informal labor to stabilize social security, motivate workers to work, contribute to economic recovery and development.

The most important bottleneck now, according to the leaders of the General Statistics Office, is to focus on retraining human resources, because the Vietnamese labor market has about 75% of the employees without any technical or professional training. This is a major limitation of the Vietnamese economy in the context of the epidemic still having new developments and the 4th industrial revolution taking place around the world. The low quality of the labor force will be a barrier separating opportunities to adapt and catch up with new technology trends and new business methods of the world. Therefore, in the coming time, Vietnam needs to actively renew and implement training and retraining policies to improve the quality of human resources to adapt to the requirements of economic growth and development.

The unemployment rate of working age in the first quarter of this year was 2.42%, the rate of young people who were unemployed and not participating in study or training in quarter 1 was 16.3%, equivalent to nearly 2. million young people.

Also according to the General Statistics Office, 9.1 million workers aged 15 years and over are affected by the epidemic, 540,000 people lose their jobs, 2.8 million people have to take a break, temporarily stop doing business, and 3.1 million people are affected by the epidemic. cut working hours or forced to quit, take turns, 6.5 million people have their income reduced.

Urban workers were more affected than rural areas with 15.6%, compared with 10.4% in rural areas.

Millions of workers are affected by COVID-19. (Illustration)

In terms of three regions, the region least affected is agriculture, forestry and fishery with 7.5% of workers being negatively affected by the pandemic. Industry and construction sector ranked second. Labor in the service sector was hit the hardest, with a rate of 20.4%.

Meanwhile, the average monthly income of employees in the first quarter reached about 6.3 million dong / month, a slight increase compared to the previous quarter as well as the same period last year.

Although the average income increased, this growth was uneven across sectors. Many industries are still heavily affected by the COVID-19 epidemic, causing the income of workers in that industry to decline. These are industries: art, entertainment, transportation, warehousing …

According to Mr. Pham Hoai Nam, Director of the Department of Population and Labor Statistics (General Statistics Office), the numbers on the employment situation in the first quarter of 2021 reflect many difficulties and fluctuations in the economy. in general and the Vietnamese labor market in particular.

To remove difficulties for the job market, the General Statistics Office proposed the Government, ministries and branches to immediately study the issue of “vaccine passports”, to develop the necessary criteria to open the market. The international tourism school aims to help the service and tourism industry not miss opportunities for recovery and development.

Job session for students. Illustration

The information was given at the press conference on the Conference on linking vocational education of the capital with the labor market in 2021, by the Department of Labor, Invalids and Social Affairs of the city. Hanoi held the morning of April 15.

Ms. Nguyen Thanh Nhan, Deputy Director of City Department of Labor, Invalids and Social Affairs. Hanoi, said: The Conference to link the Capital’s vocational education with the labor market in 2021 has 03 main activities, including: Training order signing ceremony, cooperation between vocational education institutions and enterprises. ; Career counseling for vocational student enrollment for junior high school graduates and high school graduates; Job session.

The conference will have 42 career education enrollment consultation booths; 22 booths for demonstrating vocational skills, exhibiting start-up models of students’ practical products; 9 models of training equipment, with the participation of 44 vocational training institutions directly participating in online counseling, 26 typical enterprises are associating and cooperating with local vocational education institutions. City desk, 28 businesses participated in recruitment. It is expected that about 6,000 students, final-year students from vocational education institutions in the city and neighboring areas will participate.

Ms. Nguyen Thanh Nhan, Deputy Director of City Department of Labor, Invalids and Social Affairs. Hanoi spoke at a press conference on the morning of April 15

According to Mr. Vu Quang Thanh, Deputy Director of Hanoi Job Service Center (under the Department of Labor, Invalids and Social Affairs of Hanoi City), at the job session there will be 28 enterprises participating in recruiting with Nearly 1,500 jobs such as fashion, nursing, beauty, refrigeration … with salary from 6 to 30 million / month.

The conference to link the capital’s vocational education with the labor market in 2021 is one of many activities organized by the Hanoi Department of Labor, Invalids and Social Affairs, in order to contribute to raising social awareness of education. vocational education; promote vocational training in association with enterprises; promote career counseling for students graduating from junior high school and high school; towards the common goal is to improve the quality of vocational education, the quality of human resources in the capital in the period of international integration, adapting to the current industrial revolution 4.0.

The conference to link the capital’s vocational education with the labor market in 2021 will be held on April 24, at the Vocational School of Mechanical Engineering in Hanoi, in Dong Anh town, Ho Chi Minh City. Hanoi.

In 2021, the vocational education of Hanoi capital aims to enroll and train 220,500 new people. In which college level: 31,000 people, intermediate level 42,000, elementary and under 3 months 147,500. Strive for the rate of trained labor to reach 71, 5%; The rate of workers with certificates will reach 50.5%.