Vietnam overseas labor law amendment

The Vietnam National Assembly initiated discussions regarding amendments to the Law on Vietnamese workers employed abroad under contracts. During extraordinary sessions, lawmakers debated measures to strengthen decentralization, simplify administrative procedures, and implement a post-notification system to replace pre-approval requirements. Key objectives included accelerating digital transformation and enhancing electronic oversight to combat fraud and human trafficking.

Following these debates, the National Assembly passed the amendment with 476 out of 477 delegates voting in favor. Scheduled to take effect on March 1, 2027, the new law mandates that the waiting period for departure after recruitment must not exceed 180 days, requiring businesses to compensate workers and refund fees if they fail to meet this timeline. Under the finalized regulations, businesses are prohibited from collecting fees until workers have been officially accepted and have signed their contracts.

Recent developments highlight a strategic shift toward national human resource development. According to Deputy Minister of Home Affairs Vu Chien Thang, the revised law prioritizes sending workers with professional and technical qualifications abroad to facilitate access to advanced technology, modern governance, and vocational skills. The objective is for returning workers to support Vietnam’s digital transformation, innovation, and productivity growth. To prevent a one-way flow of human resources, the Ministry of Home Affairs is studying strategies to align overseas employment with economic diplomacy and strengthen connections between returning workers and the domestic labor market.