Vietnam, Finland discuss ways to boost labor cooperation
(VOVWORLD) - Measures to promote cooperation in vocational education and sending Vietnamese workers to Finland topped the agenda of a working session between Deputy Minister of Labour, Invalids and Social Affairs Le Tan Dung and Finnish Ambassador to Vietnam Keijo Norvanto in Hanoi on Thursday.
 Deputy Minister of Labour, Invalids and Social Affairs Le Tan Dung and Finnish Ambassador to Vietnam Keijo Norvanto, Hanoi, May 23, 2024. (Photo: Ministry of Labour, Invalids and Social Affairs) |
While acknowledging the absence of a formal labour cooperation agreement between the two countries, Mr. Dung highlighted the recent trend of Vietnamese guest workers in Finland. Since late last year, 20 Vietnamese workers have secured jobs in Finland in nursing, welding, and forestry.
Amid a labour shortage caused by an aging population and a low birth rate, Ambassador Norvanto said the Finnish Government launched the pilot Talent Boost Program to attract 50,000 workers, experts and entrepreneurs to Finland by 2030, and 250,000 by 2050.
Vietnam, along with Brazil, India, and Turkey, has been identified as a key source of workers.
Mr. Norvanto urged the Vietnamese Ministry of Labor, Invalids and Social Affairs to strengthen bilateral labor cooperation by expeditiously signing a Memorandum of Understanding outlining a framework for Vietnamese workers in Finland.