Worrying when turning 40
Mr. Tran Duc Vuong, 44 years old, is currently in charge of technology for a garment company in Thuan An commune (Hanoi). Attached to the company since the age of 22, Mr. Vuong has gone up from technical worker, team leader... for 22 years.
According to Mr. Vuong, for nearly 2 years, his company has cut about 20% of personnel, mainly in cutting and measuring teams because this work has gradually been automated. “Automatization is spreading very quickly and the work our team is undertaking is also gradually reducing personnel because many errors have been checked by machines - Mr. Vuong said.
According to Mr. Vuong, from his perspective, in the department he is in charge of, the "unreplaceable" position at the present time is maintenance workers, fixed maintenance workers. For other positions, businesses can automate or rent them out to minimize costs.
To prepare for the future where he may lose his job at any time, Mr. Vuong has prepared enough conditions to open a sewing machine and garment equipment repair shop at home. "I got married late, both children are in elementary school. I have to prepare "option 2", in case I lose my job, I will have income to take care of my family" - Mr. Vuong shared.
Ms. Nguyen Thi Lan, 40 years old - a worker at a company specializing in confectionery production in Ha Dong ward (Hanoi) is also preparing for the situation of losing her job in the context of businesses automating and streamlining personnel.
Ms. Lan said that previously the company where she worked had about 130 workers, but for more than 1 year now, there are only about 90 people left. "The strongest decrease is in packaging and distribution. The company both equips machinery and strengthens agent connections, so many brothers and sisters have lost their jobs. I am currently working in the shaping team, but this job is also gradually being automated" - Ms. Lan said.
Without qualifications and not much capital, Ms. Lan shared that she contacted a private kindergarten near her house and applied for a cleaner and kitchen assistant position.
Many workers said that when they reach the age of 35 - 40, they begin to clearly feel competitive pressure in their work. Some direct production positions often prioritize young workers to meet the requirements for speed and productivity. In addition, many businesses are gradually automating stages and machines to replace humans, so many direct workers are facing the risk of "being eliminated".
Proactively prepare "Plan B
According to Ms. Tran Ngoc Quynh - Director of Phat Dat Human Resources Consulting and Supply Co., Ltd. (Phuong Liet ward, Hanoi), the worry of losing jobs at the age of 40 is not an isolated problem but is becoming a reality for many unskilled workers or skilled workers who are not too specialized.
As technology develops and businesses increase automation, the requirements for skills and labor productivity are increasing. Meanwhile, many workers after many years of working are still mainly attached to a specific job on the production line, with few opportunities to access new skills. This makes it difficult for them to switch to another job because the ability to find new jobs for middle-aged workers is also more limited compared to young workers" - Ms. Quynh assessed.
Ms. Nguyen Thi Lan Huong - former Director of the Institute of Labor Science and Social Affairs - said that many workers and laborers actively find ways to learn more professions or new skills to expand job opportunities.
However, to reduce pressure on middle-aged workers, there should be policies to support retraining and skill improvement for workers. Vocational training and retraining programs should be designed flexibly, suitable to the needs of workers. Businesses can also create conditions for older workers to switch to more suitable positions, such as group management, quality control or production support positions. This both helps take advantage of workers' experience and reduces health pressure.
