Employment policy: Ensuring jobs for workers returning to their hometown due to the COVID-19 pandemic

(VBSP News) Up to now, the number of Thanh Hoa people returning from the epidemic area is nearly 205,000, of which the number of people at working age is 160,800. Among these workers, many have the need to stay in their homeland for vocational training and new job opportunities. The issue of creating jobs and creating livelihoods for workers returning from epidemic areas to stabilize society is an urgent requirement.

Thanh Hoa supports returning home workers with vocational training

 Creating livelihoods for workers returning home

According to data from the Department of Labor, Invalids and Social Affairs of Thanh Hoa province, from April 27, 2021 up to now, the number of workers returning from epidemic areas across the country has reached more than 205,000 people,  of which the number of people at working age is 160,800 (accounting for nearly 80% of the total number of citizens returning to their hometown).

To support this group of people, the People's Committee of Thanh Hoa province has issued Document 198/PA-UBND on vocational training and job creation for Thanh Hoa workers returning from epidemic areas after completing their medical isolation. Accordingly, Thanh Hoa workers returning from epidemic areas will receive vocational training and job creation in industrial parks, economic zones, industrial clusters, enterprises, production and business establishments in the locality which are suitable for their skill level, health, age, and gender to help them overcome difficulties and settle down soon.

According to a survey by the Management Board of Nghi Son Commune Economic Zone and Industrial Zones, the Labor Confederation of Thanh Hoa Province and the Provincial Employment Service Center, the recruitment demand of enterprises in the area shows that the ability to create jobs for Thanh Hoa workers returning from the epidemic area will meet about 90%.

Deputy Director of Thanh Hoa Employment Service Center Nguyen Xuan Vinh said: “Over the past time, the Center has been advising and supporting workers looking for new jobs by consulting, connecting workers with businesses that have recruitment needs in accordance with the qualifications, experience and aspirations of employees”.

Along with that, VBSP in Thanh Hoa province also supports workers returning from epidemic areas to get loans to create jobs, with a maximum amount of VND 100 million per person and no collateral required. The lending interest rate of this program is equal to the lending interest rate for near-poor households. For employees who set up production and business establishments and need to borrow from VND 100 million or more, they must have a feasible business plan and have assets to secure the loan.

Prioritize loan sources to create jobs for workers returning from epidemic areas

Implementing Plan 198/PA-UBND on vocational training and job creation for workers returning from epidemic areas, VBSP Thanh Hoa has urgently reviewed and prioritized preferential loans to solve the situation.

Thanh Hoa provides loans for job creation

Le Huu Quyen, Director of VBSP in Thanh Hoa province, informed: “In the past time, the bank has focused on directing district transaction offices to review and make a list of loan needs of workers returning home to arrange funding. The bank also provides guidance on procedures so that people can easily access capital. Up to now, the branch has lent to 351 workers returning home from epidemic areas with a loan amount of up to VND 24,151 million”.

Among thousands of workers who left the southern provinces to return to Thanh Hoa to avoid the pandemic, many decided to stay in their hometown to look for job. Mr. Le Van Tam's family in Yen Tho commune, Nhu Thanh district is one of such case. Mr. Tam confided: “Maybe my family will stay in my hometown, and borrow from VBSP to start a business from raising eels, not going to the South anymore. Although I don't know what it will be like to start a business, the most important thing is that I have neighbors, brothers and friends to make me more confident."

Returning female workers find jobs at garment companies

Director of the Department of Labor, War Invalids and Social Affairs of Thanh Hoa province Vu Thi Huong said: “Currently, the department is also grasping the recruitment demand in the area, the employment and vocational training needs of workers returning home to develop counseling plans, introduce jobs, connect labor supply - demand. In the past year, Thanh Hoa province has created jobs for nearly 67,000 workers, exceeding the plan (59,000 employees), of which nearly 23,000 employees are Thanh Hoa citizens returning home:.

Workers returning home are like ships that are disoriented after a storm. The fact that Thanh Hoa province offers a job solution for them right now both helps to stabilize society and shows the humanity in the people's welfare policy. Supporting citizens returning home to have jobs and stabilize their lives not only share difficulties for localities affected by the pandemic, but also show responsibility to local citizens, social stability and ensure pandemic prevention and control.

 Thu Huong