Focusing on seasonal labor, attractive income
According to the Department of Home Affairs of Dak Lak province, in 2026, the locality aims to send 2,000 to 2,500 people to work abroad in major markets.
Currently, authorities at all levels are promoting the implementation of seasonal labor export programs (duration under 8 months) with quite high incomes, contributing to improving the lives of workers. The peak seasonal labor season starts from March to May, mainly in the Korean market.
According to research, there is a large number of young people in the idle working age, without stable jobs, who want to go to work abroad to earn extra income. Mr. Ksơr Thìn (resident of Ia Hiao commune) shared: "I am only over 30 years old this year, with good health. In recent years, the family's main income comes from working as hired laborers, harvesting agricultural products. Through accessing some information channels, I learned that the Korean market is in need of recruiting short-term seasonal workers in the agricultural sector, such as: onions, barley, chili, wet rice, sweet potatoes... I plan to register and invite some other healthy young people in the region to participate, improving income for the family".
In the first quarter of 2026, the whole province sent more than 600 workers to work abroad in many different markets. The Department of Home Affairs of Dak Lak province is continuing negotiations with foreign partners to reduce costs for workers participating in the seasonal program.
The cost level for seasonal workers under 8 months is about 55 million VND; for a period of 4 to 5 months, it is under 40 million VND (including all costs). These programs are mainly implemented by local authorities as the focal point.
For long-term labor export programs (from 3 to 5 years), the cost ranges from about 100 to 150 million VND. This activity is mainly carried out by businesses, including many different costs.
Improve labor quality, limit risks
According to the plan, in the period 2024 - 2026, the province strives to send about 7,500 workers to work abroad. In 2026 alone, levels and sectors are accelerating to complete the final targets, identifying labor export as a key task associated with socio-economic development.
In 2025, the province supported 244 workers to go abroad to work, and at the same time guided hundreds of candidates to participate in programs such as EPS (Korea), IM Japan.
Mr. Nguyen Quang Thuan - Deputy Director of Dak Lak Provincial Department of Home Affairs - said that people choose seasonal workers abroad thanks to good income, mainly requiring basic skills in the agricultural sector.
However, for long-term workers, besides the advantages, there are still many difficulties such as high initial costs, limited foreign language proficiency and skills of a part of the labor force. Some cases of contract violations and absconding still occur, affecting the overall reputation.
In addition, propaganda work in some localities has not been given due attention, leading to people not clearly understanding the information and opportunities to participate.
In the coming time, the province will continue to improve the quality of vocational training, foreign languages and working skills for workers; and at the same time strengthen management and supervision of enterprises operating in the field of labor export.
