Following in the footsteps of other ASEAN nations like Malaysia, a new government decree, set to go into effect on November 1st, includes provisions for deporting foreign workers in Vietnam who don’t have a work permit. While it seems to be targeting unskilled laborers and medical practitioners, it also specifically calls out those working in education.
According to the decree, employers (not including contractors) are responsible for showing their Provincial Chairman that domestic employees cannot fill their job openings and that it’s necessary to hire foreign workers.
Furthermore, employers must actively recruit Vietnamese for positions before opening up recruitment to foreigners, especially for jobs based on unskilled labor. If, after 2 months, local authorities fail to provide the needed workers, the employer can look to the international labor market. The decree highlights those who practice medical examination and treatment or work in the fields of education and vocational training.
No word yet on the deportation methods or who will be subject to them.
Though details are scarce, this is likely to affect multinational construction companies as opposed to English-language schools which rely heavily on foreigners to fill teaching positions.
