The Ministry of Home Affairs is currently drafting a Circular to amend and supplement several articles of Circular No. 21/2021/TT-BLĐTBXH, which details specific articles of the Law on Vietnamese Guest Workers.
In the draft Circular, the ministry proposes amendments and additions to several regimes, including the basic salary levels for Vietnamese laborers working in specific overseas markets.
Specifically, for the European market, the basic salary is proposed to be $700/month or higher for labor contracts of one year or more.
For labor contracts ranging from 6 months to under one year, the basic salary must be $900/month or higher. If a receiving country requires a higher minimum wage, that rate applies. Overtime pay will follow the regulations of the receiving country.
Regarding the Americas market: the basic salary is proposed to increase to$600/month or higher for labor contracts of one year or more.
For labor contracts ranging from 6 months to under one year, the basic salary must be $900/month or higher; if a receiving country stipulates a higher minimum, it shall apply.
According to the ministry, the adjustment to increase Vietnamese guest workers' basic salaries is intended to align with the actual situation in these markets.
For China and Macau (China), the ministry proposes that employers cover the costs of purchasing health insurance and occupational accident insurance for Vietnamese workers.
For Southeast Asia, the ministry proposes that Vietnamese guest workers will participate in insurance schemes according to the regulations of the receiving country. The costs for participating in these schemes are to be shared by the employer and the employee in accordance with local regulations.
For Malaysia, employers are required to cover the following costs: file processing fees, contract security deposits, work permits, and levies/taxes per Malaysian regulations; health screening costs in Vietnam and health examination costs (FOMEMA) in Malaysia; and single-entry visa fees.
The modification of these costs aims to ensure compliance with current Malaysian regulations and the Agreement signed between Malaysia and Vietnam in August 2024.
For industries and jobs in international waters, the ministry proposes that the foreign receiving party pay for return airfare between Vietnam and the place of embarkation (joining the vessel).
The foreign receiving party is responsible for arranging transport for crew members from Vietnam to the place of embarkation and for their repatriation, as well as settling repatriation costs in accordance with the Maritime Labour Convention (MLC) 2006. The expansion of entities eligible for airfare coverage is deemed consistent with practical realities.
Google translate