Vietnamese workers will soon return to Libya, according to the Ministry of Labour, Invalid and Social Affairs.

Photo: Internet

The ministry said a number of Turkish contractors in Libya had pledged to re-recruit Vietnamese workers in the next six months after completing negotiations with their Libyan businesses.

The pledges were made during a recent visit of officials from the Vietnamese ministry to Turkey.

Turkish contractors, who are particularly active in North Africa, employ thousands of Vietnamese workers to work in construction in Libya.

The ministry said Turkish contractors had pledged to settle unpaid salaries owed to Vietnamese workers who fled the country during the recent troubles.

Meanwhile, the ministry said it had also asked Turkish authorities to urge Turkish contractors to speed up salary settlements.

Before the insurgency in Libya, 16 Turkish contractors employed Vietnamese labourers.

The unstable political situation in Libya has also dealt a heavy blow to labour export plans.

The Government has targeted sending 5,000-7,000 employees to Libya each year.

Libya used to be an attractive market because its firms could offer better salaries than most other markets. Each worker receives a minimum monthly salary of about VND8 million (US$380), according to the Viet Nam Labour Export Association.

As the North African country descended into violence, Viet Nam recalled all of its 10,000 workers in the country.

According to Vietnamese labour firms, Libya is considered a prime destination for unskilled workers where they can earn between $350-1,000 per month.

Source: VNS