Socialist Republic of Vietnam

AP: what is Vietnam's plan for Vietnamese workers still stuck in American Samoa?

Answer:

Together with the main task of creating employment in the country, the Government of Vietnam considers exporting labor a socio-economic activity that can help develop human resources, generate employment, and help workers to realize their aspirations to work abroad in order to obtain incomes and improve their skills, thus generating a source of hard currency for the country and strengthening our international cooperation.

Since 1991, about 130 thousand Vietnamese workers have gone abroad to some 40 labor markets worldwide. Our experience shows that Vietnamese workers work well and have won confidence and created good impression on their quality and qualifications. Cooperation between Vietnamese businesses and foreign counterparts have brought about fine results and is beneficial to both sides.

In this connection, the majority of businesses have correctly implemented State policies and directions. However, there are Vietnamese and their foreign partners who have signed contract to send Vietnamese workers to foreign markets, especially new ones without having obtained sufficient information on the markets, particularly information on local laws and regulations. And this has led to regrettable disputes. While selecting workers, it is also necessary to thoroughly examine their qualifications and motives so that right people are chosen for the right jobs. However, over time, businesses have realized this problem and have made adjustments accordingly.

With regard to the incident in American Samoa, the Government of Vietnam is doing its utmost to protect legitimate interests of and ensure safety for Vietnamese workers in Samoa and at the same time create favorable conditions for the Vietnamese workers to return home and stabilize their life as soon as possible.