Vietnamese seasonal workers at work in a tangerine grove
SEOUL, Nov. 4 (Korea Bizwire) – Vietnamese workers in South Korea earn the highest wages among their counterparts working abroad, according to a new government report from Vietnam’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
The “Vietnam Migration Overview 2023″ report, cited by VN Express on November 4, analyzed income levels of Vietnamese overseas workers across different countries between 2017 and 2023.
The study found that Vietnamese laborers in South Korea earned monthly wages of $1,600-2,000, approximately 33% higher than those working in Japan, who earned $1,200-1,500 per month.
Workers in Taiwan and various European countries earned $800-1,200 monthly, while those in Malaysia and Middle Eastern countries received $400-1,000 per month, according to the report.
During this period, about 650,000 Vietnamese workers were employed across 40 countries, collectively remitting $3.5-4 billion annually to their home country.
Approximately 80% of these overseas workers were employed in labor-intensive sectors, including textile and footwear manufacturing, construction, agriculture and fishing, domestic work, and elderly and patient care.
The report also noted an increasing trend of skilled workers, including managers and engineers, seeking opportunities abroad for better income and career development prospects.
It highlighted that Vietnamese unskilled workers have gained a reputation for their strong work ethic and adaptability.
Ashley Song (ashley@koreabizwire.com)
