Vietnamese labourers who want to be sent to a European country to work must pay a deposit between USD1,000 and USD2,000, according to a newly-issued circular.

Vietnamese labourers at a training course before being sent to Italy

Under the Ministry of Labour, Invalids and Social Affairs’ circular on the deposit, the regulation will take effect from December 1, and will require USD2,000 for the Italy, Finland, Sweden, the UK, Germany, Denmark and Portugal. Meanwhile, the remaining European countries would require USD1,000.

There are already deposits required to work in some other markets; USD1,000 for Taiwan, USD300 for Malaysia, USD500 for Macau, USD300 for Laos, USD800 for Middle Eastern nations and USD1,000 for African countries. Vietnamese apprentices in Japan must deposit USD3,000.

Recently, the Ministry of Labour, Invalids and Social Affairs also stipulated that Vietnamese workers who wish to work in South Korea must deposit VND 100 million (USD4,800) before leaving Vietnam.

For countries that do not require deposits, workers must pay a deposit equal to airfare upon their return to Vietnam.

Labour contractors sending workers overseas are not allowed to charge deposits surpassing these levels. In cases in which workers cannot afford the deposits they may negotiate with the companies for a guaranty.

The companies must submit regular reports on the use of deposits and management of the funds to the Overseas Labour Management Office before June 20 and December 20 yearly.

As of August 31, 54,800 Vietnamese labourers had gone abroad. This year, the country plans to send 85,000 workers abroad.