Ensuring safety for Vietnamese workers in the Middle East

No disturbances recorded

In the afternoon of March 3, exchanging over the phone with a reporter from Lao Dong Newspaper, Mr. Nguyen Van Dan (born in 1985, from Ninh Binh), currently a welder at a oil exploitation project in Saudi Arabia (MERAM Refinery Project 200km from the capital RIYADH), said that the working situation of the Vietnamese labor group here is still normal, and no major disruptions due to the war have been recorded.

The construction site is still operating normally, security is tightened. The investor and management unit continuously update the situation, guiding workers to comply with safety regulations" - Mr. Dan said.

Currently, the income of Mr. Dan and his team members ranges from over 50 million VND per month (including overtime), which is considered relatively stable compared to the general level of export workers in the construction - mechanical industry in the Middle East region. Although the job is hard, working in hot sunny conditions and requiring high technology, income is the motivation for many workers to continue to stick with it.

At home, Mr. Dan's wife and three children could not avoid worrying. "We brothers called to reassure relatives that they should not listen to false information, only read official information. Soon after the contract expires, I will continue to register to stay in Saudi Arabia to work" - Mr. Dan shared.

From the reality at the construction site, Mr. Dan assessed that, although the war in the Middle East region contains many unpredictable risks, the lives and jobs of Vietnamese workers in Saudi Arabia are currently relatively stable. However, he also admitted that prevention is put first. "We both work and update international current affairs news every day to promptly grasp developments" - Mr. Dan said.

Businesses and embassies prepare response plans

In the context of regional instability, the role of sending businesses and diplomatic missions is assessed by workers as particularly important. Mr. Dan said that the leaders of Long Hung International Joint Stock Company (Hanoi) - the unit sending workers to work in Saudi Arabia - regularly remind workers to closely monitor the situation, keep in touch and be ready with response plans when situations arise. Recommendations on security, travel, and daily life are promptly disseminated.

Mr. Dang Van Tuan - Deputy General Director of Long Hung International Joint Stock Company (Hanoi) - said that currently the company has about 200 workers working in the Middle East region. Among them, in Saudi Arabia there are more than 150 workers - mainly skilled welders, with a monthly salary of about 1,400 USD/month, if overtime, the income will be even higher.

The security situation in some countries in the Middle East region is developing complicatedly, so the leaders of Long Hung International Joint Stock Company always update the recommendations of the Vietnamese Embassy in Saudi Arabia to workers.

“We continuously visit, encourage, and record the thoughts and aspirations of workers. Because the projects are all far from military bases, sensitive areas in terms of security..., they currently do not significantly affect the labor production situation,” Mr. Tuan added.

Mr. Tuan has forwarded the recommendations of the Vietnamese Embassy in Saudi Arabia to all employees of the company with the main contents. In which, the Embassy recommends that Vietnamese citizens living, studying and working in Saudi Arabia, Oman, Bahrain and Yemen, pay attention to the following measures: Limit getting close to security-sensitive areas, especially crowded places; regularly monitor and update the situation through official, reliable information channels; always bring personal papers, passports, visas and important documents; and keep copies on electronic devices for use when necessary; proactively check and confirm flight information with airlines to avoid flight delays/cancellations or unexpected disruptions; maintain regular contact with family, colleagues and friends in the residential area to promptly support each other in case of emergency.

In addition, the Vietnamese Embassy requests citizens to strictly comply with the provisions of law and instructions of the local authorities; limit unnecessary movement; proactively prepare plans to ensure personal and family safety.