Que Phong focuses on vocational training and job creation for workers.

Many workers have good income and escape poverty.

There was a time when they did all kinds of jobs from carrying wood for hire, making dashboards... but it was still not enough to cover the family's living expenses, especially when the children were born one after another, then reached school age with many expenses, making the already difficult family life even more pressing and inevitably there were times when the husband and wife argued with each other. However, in 2018, through local connections, the couple Ngan Van Tu and Ha Thi Tam in Muong Hin village, Tien Phong commune were introduced to work at the Packaging Textile Company in Hai Phong city, with a stable salary of 7-8 million VND each.

Over the phone, Ngan Van Tu excitedly said: Thanks to the recruitment information from the locality, we knew to register. Although the work is far away, we have a job, a stable income, working on an assembly line, so compared to carrying wood and making dashboards, it is very easy. On average, each month, my husband and I earn 15 million VND, not including overtime pay. After deducting the rent of more than 1 million VND, plus expenses, we have contributed nearly ten million VND, so we have money to send home to our grandparents to raise our two children. "It is worth mentioning that during the Covid-19 epidemic, after being fully vaccinated with 3 doses of vaccine, workers still work regularly, without any interruption, so their income is stable. Only then can my husband and I have money to send home to our grandparents to repair the house," said Mr. Tu.

Lo Thi Thoa's family's house was built with money from working abroad. Photo: D.C.

Also in Tien Phong commune, when coming to Pieng Cu 2 village, asking about Ms. Lo Thi Thoa's family, everyone knows the simple reason, because after the couple got married, their life together became even more difficult, always lacking money, Ms. Thoa went to the forest all year round to pick bamboo shoots to make ends meet. However, in early 2018, Ms. Thoa returned from working abroad and her family life had changed. In addition to having money to build a solid private house worth more than 200 million VND, she also had enough to buy livestock to develop and increase production, as well as buy many household items.

Ms. Lo Thi Thoa said: At the end of 2015, she was introduced and supported for free to go work abroad in Arabia. At first, she missed home, but the host family created conditions for her to call home regularly, so she gradually got used to it and considered it her second family because the host family was very caring. Regarding work, compared to having to pick bamboo shoots and carry firewood like at home, working as a maid abroad is much easier, because she doesn't have to be exposed to rain or sun, and almost all the housework is supported by machines.

According to Mr. Ngan Van Son - Vice Chairman of Tien Phong Commune People's Committee: In addition to paying attention to vocational training and solving local employment problems, it is through job introduction programs at home and abroad that many young people have jobs and stable incomes, contributing to hunger eradication and poverty reduction in the locality, thereby significantly reducing social evils. Currently, the commune has over 1,300 workers working at domestic companies and enterprises, and over 20 people working abroad.

Representatives of companies and businesses provide job counseling to workers in Que Phong district. Photo: PV

Similarly, in Quang Phong commune, Mr. Lang Van Linh - Vice Chairman of the Commune People's Committee said: Despite the impact of the Covid-19 pandemic, through propaganda, mobilization, along with many preferential policies and guidelines, the number of people participating in labor export in the area has increased steadily every year. From 2019 to now, there are 61 people in the area going to work abroad, of which 15 people went to Japan, 46 people went to Taiwan. Along with that, currently, the number of workers working at domestic companies and enterprises is up to nearly 500 people. Accordingly, through the survey, they all have an average salary of 10 million VND/month. For example, the couple Luong Van Luat and Vi Thi Phuong in Ta village, currently working in Binh Duong, said: The husband works at an export mechanical company, the wife works at a garment company, with a total monthly income of 25 million VND. After deducting expenses for 3 family members, we still have over 10 million VND saved.

Striving to create jobs for 6,500 workers

According to statistics of the Department of Labor, Invalids and Social Affairs of Que Phong district, in the period 2015 - 2020 the district hasemploymentfor 9,750/person, exceeding 195% of the plan. Of which, 526 workers went to work abroad, reaching 98.31% of the plan. As of February 4, 2022, the total number of workers from provinces and cities returning to their localities was 4,590; of which, 3,419 workers returned during the Lunar New Year. However, in January, February and it is expected that by the end of the first quarter of 2022, the number of workers with jobs will be 3,028. Of which, 671 workers worked in the province; 2,341 workers worked outside the province; 1 worker went to work abroad.

To achieve the above results, in recent years, the district has paid special attention to job creation. In particular, it focuses on creating jobs domestically and sending workers to work abroad for a limited period. At the same time, it focuses on vocational training to create jobs for rural workers. Accordingly, in the period of 2015 - 2020, the district has held 60 consultation conferences, mobilizing workers to work abroad with more than 8,296 participants. It has guided the People's Committees of communes and towns to develop plans and organize propaganda through the radio system of the block, hamlet, and village; and has developed a number of thematic reports on successful workers when participating in working abroad under contracts to broadcast on local television. At the same time, coordinate with the Provincial Employment Service Center and businesses inside and outside the province to organize job fairs in communes and towns to advise, introduce jobs and recruit workers for businesses in industrial parks inside and outside the province.

Workers in Que Phong district participate in the domestic and international job connection festival in 2022. Photo: PV

Capital support for job creation in the district has also been focused on implementation. In the period of 2015 - 2020 alone, the Social Policy Bank has implemented two preferential credit programs for poor households, near-poor households, ethnic minorities and beneficiaries of loan policies for job creation and working abroad under labor contracts. The number of households borrowing capital is 302, with a total outstanding loan amount of 15 billion 768 million VND. Of which, the loan amount for working abroad is 8 billion 802 million VND, equivalent to 123 workers receiving loans.

Along with that, vocational training for workers is directed to be implemented quite effectively, opening an average of 7 vocational training classes each year for 35 - 40 workers/class, in which, focusing on workers from poor households, near-poor households, and ethnic minorities. The training program and profession are selected to suit the qualifications and abilities of students in the area. After vocational training, most workers find suitable jobs, creating stable income. In addition, workers in the area also participate in vocational training classes at all levels (under 3 months, elementary, intermediate, college) at vocational training institutions in and outside the province to participate in the domestic and foreign labor market. As a result, every year, 2,000 - 2,500 workers are trained, contributing to improving the quality of human resources in the area.

Promoting the achieved results, in the coming time, the work of job creation for workers will continue to receive attention, especially workers in mountainous and remote communes, ethnic minority workers and poor and near-poor households. Accordingly, strive to create jobs for 6,500 workers in the period of 2021 - 2025. Of which, workers working in the province: 1,500 people, accounting for 23.07%; workers working outside the province: 4,450 people, accounting for 68.46%; workers working abroad: 550 people, accounting for 8.4%. Organize vocational training at all levels to reach from 2,500 to 3,000 people/year. Every year, organize job counseling and introduction for workers in the area to reach from 1,000 to 1,500 workers.

Mr. Lo Minh Diep - Head of Department of Labor, Invalids and Social Affairs of Que Phong district