Hai Duong tightens management of foreign workers

Cut from licensing

According to statistics from the provincial police, Hai Duong has about 4,000 foreigners, mainly experts and workers from China, Korea, Japan... working at businesses and production facilities.

Ms. Dao Thu Hien, Head of the Department of Labor - Employment (Department of Labor, War Invalids and Social Affairs) said that in order to facilitate foreign experts and workers to come to Hai Duong to work, the unit has shortened the time to carry out related administrative procedures by 50%. The time to issue permits has been reduced but not loosened. The processes and procedures are still strictly controlled. In the process of submitting work permit applications, businesses often lack documents or have incorrect information in documents such as official dispatches requesting work permits, certificates of work experience, documents proving that they are experts or managers. Some documents have incorrect information in health certificates, criminal records, etc.

"From the beginning of the year to November 15, out of nearly 3,000 applications for foreign workers' permits, we have returned nearly 700 applications due to not meeting the requirements," said Ms. Hien.

Having to regularly invite experts and workers from abroad to transfer technology and train workers, the leaders and staff of Kim Duong Vietnam Consumer Goods Company Limited in Cong Hoa Industrial Park (Chi Linh) clearly see changes in the province's management of foreign workers. "The implementation of administrative procedures and processes related to licensing for foreign workers to work in Hai Duong is now quite quick and convenient. Most licensing processes are strictly implemented. The conditions for foreign workers to be licensed are also checked very carefully," said Mr. Wang Yong Qiang, Director of the company's construction engineering department.

Strengthen management

The labor force consists of experienced and qualified foreigners working in enterprises in the province, partly meeting the shortage of human resources for new fields requiring high technology and modern production lines.

From August 15, many new visa policies in Vietnam have taken effect, such as issuing e-visas to foreign citizens. E-visas are valid for up to 90 days instead of 30 days as before. Citizens of countries exempted from visas by Vietnam are granted temporary residence for up to 45 days instead of 15 days. Entry approval procedures are also easier (no need for organizations or individuals to sponsor).

A representative of the Immigration Management Department (Hai Duong Provincial Police) said that due to certain flexibility in the immigration policy, the management of the residence of foreigners, especially foreign workers, must be strengthened and tightened to promptly prevent violations of the law.

In October 2022, the Provincial People's Committee issued Decision No. 13/2022/QD-UBND on regulations on coordination in managing foreign workers working in Hai Duong province. These regulations apply to state management agencies related to the management of foreign workers.

In July 2023, the Provincial People's Committee also requested relevant departments, branches and sectors to actively coordinate with local authorities in managing foreigners. Police forces at all levels will strengthen the management of residence and activities of foreigners in the province. This is the basis for Hai Duong to effectively manage, creating favorable conditions for foreigners to work in Hai Duong while still complying with relevant regulations.

From the beginning of the year to the end of November, the Immigration Department (Provincial Police) inspected the compliance with regulations on entry, exit and residence of foreigners at 62 enterprises. All enterprises basically complied well with regulations related to foreign workers working and residing in the province. During the inspection, enterprises were also informed and disseminated about regulations related to the management of foreign activities in Hai Duong for proper implementation.

The Department of Labor, War Invalids and Social Affairs closely coordinates with relevant agencies to closely follow and strictly implement regulations on management, licensing and employment of foreign workers; promote propaganda and dissemination of Vietnamese labor laws in various and appropriate forms so that foreign employers and workers understand their rights and obligations in accordance with regulations.

From the beginning of the year to early November, the Department of Labor, War Invalids and Social Affairs of Hai Duong received and processed nearly 3,000 applications for work permits for foreigners, including nearly 1,500 workers applying for new permits, nearly 900 workers applying for extensions and more than 200 people applying for re-issuance.