Job consultancy (illustrative photo)

The Center for Forecasting Manpower Needs and Labor Market Information said that this year Ho Chi Minh City needs 300,000 to 320,000 workers. 70% of new job demand is in the trade and service sectors and 30% in industry and construction.

38% of the jobs requires college or university degrees or higher. Nguyen Van Lam, Deputy Director of Ho Chi Minh City Department of Labor, Invalids, and Social Affairs, said: “We organize online and in-person job fairs in the southwestern provinces and the Central Highlands so the workers there can contact businesses in Ho Chi Minh City. When they come to the city, they will go to work immediately.”

A survey by the Department of Labor, Invalids, and Social Affairs said after Tet about 500 businesses of apparel, footwear, electronics, and plastics are looking to hire 14,300 workers.

In Q1 of this year, Ho Chi Minh City is forecast to recruit 79,000 to 87,000 workers. Nguyen Dang Hien, General Director of Tan Quang Minh Trading and Production Company, Bidrico, said that this year his company will double its sales compared to last year. Workers are working three shifts a day to finish export orders. Bidrico needs to recruit 110 more workers to meet its production schedule. New workers receive a monthly salary of 320 USD, get on-the-job training, and social welfare.

Mr. Hien said: “Our demand for workers on the assembly lines has increased 30%. For those who have lost their jobs in recent years in apparel, leather, footwear, and furniture, we can employ them at any time if they want to work.”

Recruitment demand after the Lunar New Year increases 20% to 40% compared to the last quarter of the previous year. In February the Youth Employment Service Center will organize a program to connect with Can Tho, Ben Tre, Long An, Phu Yen, Binh Dinh, Gia Lai, and Kon Tum province to help job seekers come to Ho Chi Minh City to work and at the same time provide enough workers for the city.