The Department of Overseas Labor (DOLAB) under Vietnam’s Ministry of Labor, Invalids and Social Affairs offered recommendations to Vietnamese guest workers on Friday to ensure they work legally, safely and effectively in African countries.

Vietnamese citizens sent to work abroad through service companies should carefully verify information related to their job as well as language and skill requirements before signing labor contracts, the DOLAB said.

They are recommended to only work with companies providing manpower services certified by the department.

According to the DOLAB, over the past two years, it has given approval to eight companies to send workers in construction and navigation sectors to four African countries to work.

Those eight firms include five operating in Algeria -- Vinaconex Trading and Manpower Joint Stock Company (VINACONEXMEC), Vietnam Manpower Supply and Commercial Joint Stock Company (VINAMEX), Vietnam International Investment Corporation (VINACOM), Thang Long International Cooperation and Investment Joint Stock Company (Thang Long OSC), and Vietnam Trade Promotion and Human Resources Development Joint Stock Company (HR VINA).

VXT International Joint Stock Company, VN Steel-VMSC Manpower Supply and Services One Member Co. Ltd, and An Thai Trading Investment & Transport Joint Stock Company (ATACOO) operate in Djibouti, Cameroon, and Seychelles, respectively.

Those who directly sign a labor contract with an overseas enterprise need to complete the contract registration procedures at the Departments of Labor, War Invalids and Social Affairs of their localities in Vietnam to avoid being scammed.

They can contact the DOLAB through the phone number 024.38249517 to get more information.

The move came after the department received information that a number of Vietnamese nationals had been incited to work in some African countries, including the Democratic Republic of the Congo, and some had been cheated.

The citizens have encountered problems with employers in terms of employment, accommodation, delayed wage payment, and salary reduction.

Regarding this issue, spokeswoman of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs Le Thi Thu Hang said during a regular briefing on Thursday that Vietnamese citizens should collect information carefully before signing contracts to work abroad in order to avoid being scammed or working with illegal labor brokers. 

They were also advised to immediately contact Vietnamese representative offices abroad directly or through the citizen protection hotline if any problem arises.

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