Reports of a possible labour shortage for Ho Chi Minh City are gaining traction and were picked up by the Malaysian press this week. Specifically, The Star republished, presumably on a syndication agreement, a Vietnam News article on the issue published on the weekend.
The article carries interviews with several migrant workers that have complained costs are too high in the city and highlights satellite industrial hubs like Binh Duong as more affordable with a better quality of life. The publication goes on to point out that between 2015 and 2021 HCMC was growing in size by 170,000 to 180,000 workers a year, however, last year that number was just 65,000. It also concludes that this ‘raises questions about the sustainability of HCM City’s growth model’ and calls for ‘bold policy decisions and a renewed focus on improving living conditions for all residents’.
For another perspective, local news outlet Thanh Nien, has also tackled the issue but from the recruiters perspective noting that wages of about VND 10 million (about double the minimum wage) have not been successful at bringing in new workers. The publication is carrying comments from Luong Thi Toi, Deputy Director of the Department of Labor, Invalids and Social Affairs of Ho Chi Minh City, who suggests the labour shortage is because: worker are holding onto their jobs in order to receive their Tet bonus, increased demand for workers in the lead up to Tet, and the mismatch between salary expectations of workers and employers.
See also: Human Resources in Vietnam