The event was co-organised by the National Youth Committee of Vietnam, the National Assembly’s Culture and Education Committee, the Ministry of Labour, Invalids and Social Affairs (MoLISA) and the Central Committee of the Ho Chi Minh Communist Youth Union (HCYU).
Speaking at the opening ceremony,MoLISA Deputy Minister Le Van Thanh said the Government and Prime Minister have issued a number of mechanisms and policies in support of employment for youths.
As a result, there are around 10.8 million young workers, accounting for 21.4% of the country's workforce at present. Over 29.3% of them have received training and hold degrees or certificates. The young labour structure continues to shift in a positive direction, with 69.2% of young people working in the industrial and service sectors.
However, Thanh also admitted the shortage of specific employment policies for disadvantaged and vulnerable young people while the resources for youth employment support projects remain limited.
The unemployment rate among youths, especially the 15-24 age group, continues to be a challenge for Vietnam's economy (7.61% in Q1/2023 - 3.38 times higher than the overall unemployment rate of the country, 2.25%). On average, one in ten young people is unemployed. The number of young workers currently employed is three times more likely to lose their jobs than older age groups, he added.
First Secretary of the HCYU Central Committee Bui Quang Huy said dealing with employment issues for workers and youths in particular is one of the top priorities of Vietnam during its socio-economic development.
Delegates at the event discussed the Party and State’s policies and guidelines on youth employment, employment policies for rural and urban young people, the disabled and ethnic minority groups, as well as relevant suggestions amid post-COVID-19 context and the fourth industrial revolution, among others.
