Life-changing trips
In the early winter morning, Mr. Mai Van Tho, Phong Du Thuong commune, has just returned after 5 months of working on Cheosando island (Korea) - where he raises fish for fat. During his days as a farmer in the countryside, unstable income caused poverty to continue to grow. But his first trip abroad marked a turning point.
"After 5 months of working, I saved about 120 million VND. From the time I registered until I went to Korea to work and then returned, I was always guided and supported very carefully by the commune and the authorities. I am waiting for the new recruitment period to continue working in Korea, Mr. Tho shared.
Not only bringing in the accumulated money, Mr. Tho said that what is more valuable is the sense of discipline, professional style and aquaculture experience that he learned from local people.
Mr. Trieu Van La is also one of many workers in the mountainous areas of Lao Cai who successfully work abroad for a short time. Nearly 150 million VND saved after half a year of seasonal work in Taiwan (China) has helped him invest in expanding the cinnamon growing area in his hometown.
Working abroad helps me open my mind and change my mindset about agriculture. I learned how to apply technology and scientifically cultivate to make better products, said Mr. La.
Stories that change people's lives like Mr. Tho and Mr. La are no longer rare. From 2020 to now, Lao Cai has had nearly 3,600 workers legally leaving the country to the markets of Japan, Korea, Germany, Russia... Many people returning not only to escape poverty but also become "inspirators" for local startups.
After graduating from Hanoi Tourism College but with a starting salary not enough to live on, Vu Dinh Gio (Bac Ha commune, Lao Cai province) decided to quit his job to learn Korean and participate in the local labor export support program. With an initial income of about 1,000 USD/month, he works as a moderate fruit tree planting and harvesting worker in Korea.
Not only working to make money, he took advantage of his free time to go to rural areas of Korea to learn about organic and specialized agricultural production models. The traveling buses have helped him see the potential of his homeland.
Seeing Korean farmers cultivate scientifically and methodically, I told myself that I could do it if I changed my way of thinking, Mr. La confided.
Returning to his hometown with nearly 1 billion VND accumulated after 4 years of working abroad, Gio rented an additional 3 hectares to grow strawberries and herbs. His model currently creates regular jobs for 5 local workers, earning a profit of nearly 200 million VND per year.
No longer having to work for hire, Gio has now become a clean agricultural model, an inspirational example for many young people in the highlands who dare to think and dare to do.
Practical support for people to feel secure in "going abroad"
In order to create conditions for workers in mountainous areas to participate in the international labor market, Lao Cai has synchronously implemented many solutions from propaganda, training, and loan support to help workers work abroad.
In Phong Hai commune, where 41 workers are working abroad, Mr. Ngo Van Dung, Deputy Head of the Department of Culture and Society, said: Sending people to work abroad has brought clear results, helping many households have stable income and escape poverty. The commune pays special attention to coordinating with businesses to strictly manage, ensuring the rights of workers, avoiding the situation of flight or being scammed".
Along with local authorities, labor export enterprises also accompany people.Mr. To Van Canh, Chief Representative of Cema International Cooperation Joint Stock Company in Lao Cai, said that the markets of Japan, Korea, and Taiwan (China) prioritized recruiting ethnic minority workers, discharged soldiers and skilled people.
