Vietnam proposes compensation for delayed overseas labor departures

The Ministry of Home Affairs has presented a draft amendment to the Law on Vietnamese Workers Working Abroad under Contract to the National Assembly Standing Committee. A key provision in the draft requires businesses to commit in writing to a maximum waiting period of 180 days for workers to depart after being selected for overseas employment.

Under the proposed regulations, if a company fails to meet this commitment, it must compensate the workers according to their agreement and refund all collected service fees. Other deposits made by workers must also be returned, minus any actual expenses incurred by the company. These requirements apply unless the delay is caused by force majeure or other specific mutual agreements. The draft aims to strengthen financial accountability for enterprises regarding the timing of worker departures.