Addressing the event, GOPFP Director General Nguyen Doan Tu said migration is a global phenomenon, with around 281 million international migrants worldwide; 48% of whom were women and 60% were migrant workers.

Vietnamese guest workers returning from Lybia arrive at Hanoi's Noi Bai International Airport.

Vietnam’s population has reached 98 million, ranking 15th globally, eighth in Asia and third in ASEAN, Tu said. The country's working-age population, aged 15 – 64, is estimated at some 66.6 million, or 68% of the total, he noted, adding that though such a large workforce brings various opportunities for Vietnam’s socio-economic development, it has profound impacts on migration flows in the country.

He described migrants as a vulnerable group of people, noting that migrants, particularly international ones, often face numerous challenges in the host destinations when it comes to languages, culture, lifestyle, legal knowledge, family separation and others.

Lack of access to medical services also affects their lives, physical and mental health, according to Tu. Healthy migrants can be crucial workforce for the well-being of businesses and the economy as a whole, he said.

The migrant health handbook was initiated by a technical group for migrant health in Vietnam established by the Ministry of Health. It was developed with advice from specialists from the Republic of Korea and Japan with the support from the IOM in Vietnam.

The Question & Answer handbook offers fundamental knowledge on Vietnam’s health system; social security and health insurances; as well as advice and guidance on occupational safety; prevention of communicable diseases; reproductive health; mental health; building a healthy lifestyle; support and protection of oversea migrants; and others.

The digital version of the handbook will be released in the coming time and constantly updated to stay relevant with Vietnam’s changing situation.

A similar handbook for Vietnamese migrants living in different foreign countries will also be developed.

Mihyung Park, Chief of Mission at IOM Vietnam, highly spoke of the country’s efforts in ensuring the well-being of Vietnamese migrants overseas at the time of Covid-19. IOM has discussed with concerned parties in Japan and the RoK about establishing a platform for cooperation in protecting health of Vietnamese migrants and feedback has been positive.

About 600,000 Vietnamese migrants are living and working in more than 40 countries and territories worldwide. Remittance to Vietnam was estimated at around 3 – 4 billion USD annually.

Workers’ average monthly income grows 5.3% in H1

Workers’ average monthly income stood at 6.5 million VND (278 USD) in the first half of this year, respectively rising 5.3% and 11% from the same period of 2021 and 2020, statistics showed.

Workers’ ties viewed as core factor of Vietnam - Cuba special solidarity

Leaders of the Party and State of Cuba have received a delegation of the Vietnam General Confederation of Labour (VGCL) in Havana, describing the relations between Vietnamese and Cuban workers as a core factor of the special solidarity and friendship between the two countries.

Over 96,600 workers receive repeat vaccination against Covid-19

(BGO) - Over 96,600 workers have received repeat vaccination against Covid-19, accounting for 54.4 percent of total labours working in the area and 100 percent of labour with due date of immunization, reported the Medical Center at the Bac Giang provincial Industrial Park, including over 84,600 doses of Pfizer vaccine as the second booster shot and over 12,000 doses of Vero Cell vaccine as the first booster shot.

Workers get 4th Covid-19 vaccine shots for more chances of continuous protection

(BGO)- Although Covid-19 has been in good control, it poses risk of emerging new variants. Thus, together with other localities, Bac Giang is accelerating administering 4th vaccine shots to priority groups including workers. This is an important solution to secure stable production and maintain the post-pandemic economic growth momentum.

PM requests prompt settlement of medical supply shortages, health workers’ resignation

Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh demanded the shortages of drugs and medical supplies and the resignation among health workers be promptly settled while chairing a meeting of the Government’s permanent members in Hanoi on June 23.

Source: NDO/VNA