Strengthening connectivity, ensuring adequate supply of laborers

As of now, the whole province has had about 1.05 million workers back to work. Particularly, the number of workers returning to work in province-based industrial parks reached has nearly 90%. It is expected that if the situation of production activities is stable and effective, in December 2021 and the first months of 2022, the province needs additional 30,000 to 40,000 laborers in industries of footwear, garment-textile, electronics, woodwork, food, trade-services…

Number of workers at factories under temporary stability

According to provincial Department of Labor, War Invalids and Social Affairs (DoLISA), province-based enterprises have resumed operations under the "production and Covid-19 prevention-control" plan, so they have not used up all their laborers in accordance with  factory capacity. They are focusing on using their existing labor sources, or recruiting workers who are in Binh Duong. Therefore, the local labor market has not faced a shortage of laborers yet. Their needs for labor recruitment mainly meet production requirements in 2022.

Binh Duong is promoting connection with other localities to ensure sufficient supply of laborers for enterprises

However, the mobilization of employees back to work at enterprises is facing difficulties. Pham Van Tuyen, Deputy Director of provincial DoLISA said: “Some workers are still insecure about the situation of the pandemic, so they have not decided to return to work yet. Moreover, this is the end of the year, so workers in other provinces are afraid of moving to Binh Duong. Along with that, the rate of vaccine coverage in provinces is not high, affecting the labor recruitment of enterprises.

To solve enterprises' difficulties in workforce, provincial DoLISA has advised provincial People's Committee on issuing the Plan No. 5343/KH-UBND dated October 21, 2021 on coordinating with other localities to attract and welcome laborers from other localities with the need of returning to Binh Duong and give support for laborers. Accordingly, employees are given priority to get vaccinated against Covid-19 and supported jobs when returning to Binh Duong. Provincial DoLISA will also provide labor market information, connect the labor supply - demand inside and outside the province to search and supply laborers for the local enterprises.

Provincial DoLISA  will also team up with provincial Industrial Parks ‘Management Board, Department of Industry and Trade and localities to guide and supervise enterprises ‘development of production plans and compliance with anti-Covid-19 regulations during the production process to ensure safety for employees; encourage employers to have salary policies and welfare regimes to support and attract employees to come back to work.

Application of information technology for connectivity  

Mr. Tuyen said that since 2020, Covid-19 pandemic, especially this 4th pandemic outbreak has seriously affected all aspects of social life, including the field of labor - employment. In order to facilitate connection of labor market information in the new situation, helping employees quickly find jobs and enterprises select suitable candidates while ensuring effective prevention and control of the pandemic, the province has implemented the application of information technology to connect labor market information, supporting workers to find jobs.

The local relevant units have deployed the collection of vacant jobs, updated enterprises’ recruitment information and employees’ job search needs into the labor supply - demand database through website: vieclambinhduong. vn, connecting employers with employees online. Province-based enterprises have proactively provided information on demand, number and employment positions and conducted interviews via support softwares. As for employees, they only need to have internet connection on computers or cell phones... to be able to find out the most complete information about enterprises and take part in online interviews.

The province has also organized online job sessions on website: vieclambinhduong. vn. The connection of labor supply - demand is not only within the province, but also with all localities with labor sources through provincial Job Placement Center. Employees in other localities with the demand of finding jobs in Binh Duong will access all recruitment information at job transaction sessions via the website. Employees and employers can easily access and exchange information pertaining to employment positions. Besides, Binh Duong has designed a quick job chat software on the website of the center. Employees can go online with the center's consultants, then be interviewed by enterprises via them...

Mr.Tuyen said that Binh Duong is coordinating with other localities to implement the Plan No. 5343/KH-UBND on coordination in attracting and welcoming workers from other localities with the demand of returning to Binh Duong to work. That is the policy of prioritizing vaccination and testing. Employees who come to Binh Duong to work will be given priority to vaccinate against Covid-19. Province-based enterprises have also conducted rapid antigen testing for laborers and granted the certificates of test results to them.

Regarding the plan of welcoming workers from other localities, the province has encouraged, guided and supported enterprises to coordinate with localities where workers are residing to pick up them, ensuring safety for Covid-19 prevention and control. For employees who want to be supported to return to Binh Duong to work, they can register with provincial Job Placement Center. Binh Duong will agree on a plan to support these laborers after receiving the list from other localities.

Provincial Department of Labor, War Invalids and Social Affairs has coordinated with provincial Industrial Parks’ Management Board, Department of Industry and Trade, the People's Committees of districts, towns and cities to deploy and guide units and enterprises to proactively set up plans on using the number of employees in each production period and report on them; announce salary and welfare policies; proactively connect information on employees to grasp the situation of residence, vaccination, and inform them of the expected time to return to work.

Reported Quang Tam-Translated by Kim Tin