Economy HCM City: Labor Market Shifts to Eco-Friendly and Digital Approaches Amid Economic Recovery

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In HCM City and the broader southern economic region, there has been a notable shift in the labor market as the economy recovers and embraces eco-friendly policies and digitalization. Early this year, significant fluctuations in both the quantity and structure of labor supply have posed new challenges in aligning supply and demand, as well as guiding workforce development.

 

Improved Labor Market Dynamics

 

With the global supply chain and cost challenges stabilizing, the labor market in the key southern economic zone has shown promising recovery since the start of the year. There has been a sharp rise in job seekers, indicating an improving labor situation following the Lunar New Year, with an increased demand for freelance and short-term positions.

 

The Bình Dương Employment Service Centre reported 24,146 job seekers, against a recruitment demand of 20,312 workers. Job fairs facilitated by the center involved over 95 businesses targeting recruitment primarily in industries like garment, electronics, logistics, and food processing. The number of job seekers surged by 46.46% compared to the same period last year.

 

Similarly, Đồng Nai Province's labor demand forecast for the year stands at approximately 75,000 workers. During the first quarter, nearly 30,000 recruits were made across various industries, including electronics, textiles, and construction. To support workforce matching, Đồng Nai Employment Service Centre has been actively linking businesses with employment centers in the Mekong Delta and southeastern regions.

 

Addressing Skill Gaps and Industry Mismatch

 

Despite positive trends, a mismatch persists as many workers do not meet necessary skills and experience requirements. This imbalance indicates a need for labor market restructuring, particularly as sectors move toward integrated accounting systems and digital transformation in commerce and services.

 

Skills shortages are especially pronounced among technical roles like welders and mechanics, as foreign direct investment (FDI) enterprises expand. Added to this, digitization has reduced demand for traditional office and general roles, leading to a surplus in these fields.

 

 

 

Experts attribute these disparities to gaps in market information, career orientation, and an inadequate education and training system. They emphasize the importance of reinforcing employment service centers to provide career counseling, market analysis, and training aligned with business needs.

 

Proactive Measures for Balancing Labor Supply and Demand

 

To address these challenges, it is crucial to enhance the role of employment centers in career guidance and upskilling. Bình Dương Employment Service Centre has played a pivotal role through consulting and job placement activities, striving to keep labor supply and demand balanced.

 

Chairman of the Bình Dương Labour Federation, Phạm Trọng Nhân, notes that businesses face challenges in finding suitably skilled workers, made more difficult by workers’ preference for local jobs and differing benefits across companies.

 

Nhân recommends businesses diversify recruitment channels, enhance corporate branding, and offer competitive benefits. Participation in job fairs and implementing policies to aid worker development, housing, and transport can also make firms more attractive.

 

Besides crafting motivational career development policies, companies are encouraged to foster a positive working environment, encourage creativity, and value individual contributions to help stabilize the workforce and meet contemporary labor demands.

 

Adapted by ASEAN Now from Vietnam News

 

-- 2025-04-21