The PM welcomed the signing of the Memorandum of Understanding on labour cooperation between the Vietnamese Ministry of Labour, Invalids and Social Affairs (MoLISA) and the Finnish Ministry of Economic Affairs and Employment, which was complemented by the successful Vietnam-Finland Labour Cooperation Forum.

Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh (R) and Arto Olavi Satonen, Minister for Employment from the Finnish Ministry of Economic Affairs and Employment, in Hanoi on January 13.

Vietnam always values and advocates for further promoting and deepening the bilateral traditional friendship and multi-faceted cooperation, he said.

Acknowledging strides in bilateral economic, trade and investment collaboration, both sides agreed that it has not yet reached its full potential. Labour cooperation is identified as an area with ample room for further collaboration, where both countries can complement each other's strengths.

Looking to the future, the PM proposed continuing to explore the establishment of new mechanisms to step up cooperation in sci-tech, innovation, and vocational education, while also venturing into such new and promising fields as green transition, digital transformation, renewable energy, green economy and circular economy.

The focus will be on harnessing technology transfer, building tech infrastructure, and upskilling for high-tech industries to keep pace with the evolving job market.

With Vietnam's vibrant and expanding workforce of over 52 million, the PM encouraged Finland to keep the scholarship doors wide open for Vietnamese students.

The two ministries should agree on methods to effectively realise the newly-signed MoU, connect businesses from both countries and facilitate the mobility of Vietnamese workers to Finland, he said, noting Finland should inform workers about their rights and obligations, while Vietnam should equip its workforce with the necessary skills, legal understanding, and cultural awareness.

He also called for more high-level exchanges to cement political trust, pushing both countries to leverage the EU-Vietnam Free Trade Agreement (EVFTA) and EU-Vietnam Investment Protection Agreement (EVIPA) to lift trade and investment, aiming to match the true potential of their economies. Cultural and tourism cooperation was also highlighted as a priority.

With the Helsinki Mayor present, the PM floated ideas of city-to-city partnerships, particularly spotlighting Hanoi, and hoped for continued Finnish support for the Vietnamese community in the country.

Minister of Labour, Invalids and Social Affairs Dao Ngoc Dung and Minister of Economic Affairs and Employment of Finland Arto Olavi Satonen at the signing ceremony.

Minister Satonen, in turn, described Vietnam as an important partner of Finland in the region, commending the positive contributions of the 50,000 Vietnamese people living, studying and working in Finland.

He marveled at Vietnam's development since his last visit in 2009 and agreed with the PM’s proposals for cooperation, saying that Finland wishes to further deepen collaboration with Vietnam, especially in education, labour, and cultural exchange.

Helsinki is ready to welcome Vietnamese workers, professionals and students, eager to share its know-how and collaborate with Hanoi to make it an innovative city and attract more global investment, its mayor said.

2024 Vietnam Labour Day in Japan held

The Vietnamese Embassy in Japan, in collaboration with the Ministry of Labour, Invalids, and Social Affairs (MoLISA), on December 8 organised the 2024 Vietnam Labour Day in Japan.

Vietnamese firm signs labour cooperation deal with German partners

A framework agreement was recently signed in Halberstadt city, Harz district, Germany’s Saxony-Anhalt state to strengthen the partnership in training and recruiting Vietnamese labourers.

Government leader hails outcomes of Vietnam-Qatar labour cooperation

Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh on October 31 hailed labour partnership between Vietnam and Qatar as a traditional area of cooperation that leaders of the two countries have paid much attention to and the two sides can supplement each other.

Vietnamese students supported to access Germany's labour market

A working delegation led by Parliamentary State Secretary to the Federal Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development of Germany Bärbel Kofler on October 29 visited LILAMA2 International Technology College (LILAMA2) in the southern province of Dong Nai in an effort to promote Vietnam-Germany cooperation in vocational training and labour migration.

Vietnam seeks deeper labour cooperation with Europe

Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs Le Thi Thu Hang and Deputy Minister of Labour, Invalids and Social Affairs Nguyen Ba Hoan co-chaired a seminar in Hanoi, which sought ways bolster Vietnam-Europe labour cooperation.

Vietnam – Japan labour cooperation records rapid development

In recent years, the number of Vietnamese workers to Japan has accounted for more than 50% of the total number of workers sent abroad annually. Labour cooperation between the two countries has become increasingly valued and seen remarkable development.

Vietnam keen on expanding vocational training, labour cooperation with Germany: Official

Vietnam wishes to further strengthen cooperation with Germany in vocational education and sending Vietnamese workers to the European country to work in the context of Germany's recent revision of its foreign worker reception policy, stated Deputy Minister of Labour, Invalids and Social Affairs Le Tan Dung at a meeting with Country Director of Germany Development Agency (GIZ) in Vietnam Michaela Baur in Hanoi on September 17.