1.3 million migrants returned home during pandemic: Now enterprises face labour shortages

Authorities at all levels should synchronize anti-pandemic solutions to facilitate businesses restoration and the return of migrant workers.

Some 1.3 million migrant workers returned to their hometowns between July and September under the Covid-19 pandemic impacts.

Minister of Labor, Invalids and Social Affairs Dao Ngoc Dung informed at an interpellation session at the ongoing National Assembly’s (NA) second sitting. 

According to the Hanoi Times, at the ongoing meeting session of the National Assembly, some delegates shared their concern about the exodus of migrant workers from the southern key economic localities and raised questions on the implementation of relief packages for those affected by the pandemic.

Dung said that data released by the General Statistics Office of Vietnam (GSO) revealed of the 1.3 million workers, about 324,000 left Hanoi, 292,000 returned home from Ho Chi Minh City (HCMC) and 450,000 from other southern localities.

He added that among 930,000 people aged fifteen and over that returned to their hometown, about 34% have found jobs; 38% remain unemployed or failing to find a job under social distancing measures, while the rest did not go to work for pandemic fears.

Minister of Labor, Invalids, and Social Affairs Dao Ngoc Dung speaks at an interpellation session at the ongoing National Assembly’s second sitting. Photo: Baochinhphu.vn

"It is now quite difficult to lure workers back to industrial hubs and big cities as they are unsure about the future. The priority is to eliminate the difficulties that the labor market is facing so that people can return to their workplaces,” Dung said.

"Authorities at all levels should synchronize anti-pandemic solutions to facilitate businesses restoration and the return of migrant workers," the minister added.

He stressed that the pandemic and prolonged social distancing measures have left significant impacts on the labor market, employment, and income in the third quarter.

Dung, however, noted after more than a month of safe and flexible adaptation, the situation has improved.

"Enterprises still face labor shortage but it is not serious. By the end of the first quarter and the beginning of the second quarter of 2022, the labor market can return to normal if there are no complications,” Dung said.

The minister added that his ministry has submitted to the Government a program to restore and develop the labor market along with social security.

In Thailand they are also facing a labour shortage.

The Thai Interior Ministry had recently issued a ministerial announcement allowing certain groups of migrant workers already in Thailand to register to stay on and work legally.

After the Covid pandemic, labour shortages are now a growing concern across Asia, as many workers are afraid to return to large factories, incase they catch Covid 19.

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