Vietnam National Assembly debates new law to protect overseas workers

Deputies of Vietnam's National Assembly met in an extraordinary session of the 16th legislature to consider amendments to the Law on Vietnamese workers employed abroad under contracts. The proposed changes aim to improve the legal framework by strengthening decentralisation, expanding local government powers, simplifying administrative procedures, and replacing pre‑approval requirements with a post‑notification system. The draft also seeks to accelerate digital transformation, reduce financial deposits for contracting firms, and enhance electronic oversight to curb fraud and human‑trafficking.

Lawmakers highlighted specific concerns: Nguyen Thanh Liem noted contract abandonment and lack of an authorized employer database; Ly Anh Thu called for more non‑skilled job opportunities for women and ethnic groups to fight poverty; Ly Huong suggested adding provisions for temporary worker exchanges under local government cooperation programmes. The session also reviewed related legislation on community mediation, money‑laundering prevention, credit institutions, publications, architecture and the State Bank of Vietnam.