VietNamNet Bridge – With a rapidly aging population and declining fertility, Japan had to adopt a more open-door approach towards foreign workers to staff its labour-strapped industries, with Vietnamese workers among the fastest growing groups. A Vietnamese intern working at a factory in Japan. -- Photo Nikkei Asian Review The country’s previously strict approach to immigration changed in June as the Council on Economic and Fiscal Policy, led by Prime Minister Shinzo Abe, officially announced a set of measures to increase the flow of labour to the country, including the creation of “a new visa status for non-professional foreign labourers,” the Japan Times reported. New policies would allow apprentices to remain in Japan for a maximum five additional years under a labour visa after their standard three-year training. The Japanese Government said it was also considering letting these visa-holders stay in Japan indefinitely if they pass language … [Read more...] about Japan’s open-door policy for foreign workers – a boon for Vietnam
Bridging course for overseas nurses
Social Highlights for October 30
Dep. PM convenes meeting to discuss Cat Tuong Beauty Salon case Deputy Prime Minister Nguyen Thien Nhan convened a meeting in Hanoi on October 28 asking the health sector to spruce up management after a 37-year-old woman was dumped into the river following a botched cosmetic surgery at the Cat Tuong Beauty Salon. Speaking at the meeting, Deputy PM Nhan ordered the Ministry of Health and the People's Committee to verify the responsibility of individuals and agencies in the case concerning the above incident. Nhan said the Ministry needs to check the present regulations and tighten management accordingly in private medical facilities across the country. There should be regulations whereby state-run hospital physicians must report to the public hospital management board about their part time work in private clinics. In addition, a state-run hospital management board should oversee the part time working activities of these doctors. At the meeting, Nguyen Thi Bich Ngoc, Deputy … [Read more...] about Social Highlights for October 30
Only rest-home for overseas Vietnamese to open again
VietNamNet Bridge - The first and probably the only rest-home so far in Vietnam meeting the European standards, which are often referred to as "Rest-home for Overseas Vietnamese," is strangely quiet. Unexpectedly, when we paid a visit to the Ba Thuong Rest-home in Cu Chi District, Ho Chi Minh City, we saw a young couple posing for their wedding photos since the landscapes here are very beautiful, like a luxurious resort. Houses for the elderly are built separately, with four rooms, opening to four sides. Each room is more than 20 square meters equipped with a television, a refrigerator, an air conditioner as a hotel room. Each elderly is served with his/her own menu and their health are monitored by trained nursing staff 24/7. Ms. Giang, a nursing staff member in the village, said: "There are both Vietnamese and overseas Vietnamese elderly here. The village was built in 2007 and it has experienced many ups and downs. The oldest member is 92 years old, from Saigon. Other people are … [Read more...] about Only rest-home for overseas Vietnamese to open again
BUSINESS IN BRIEF 8/3
Sales make Women's Day special Shops, supermarkets and even amusement parks in HCM City have announced promotions to mark International Women's Day, which falls next Friday. The Co.op Mart supermarket is offering discounts of up to 45 per cent on more than 4,000 products such as garments, beauty care products and household appliances. HTV Co.op, its television shopping channel that airs on HCM City Television will slash prices on certain items by up to 37 per cent until March 31. The channel will present vouchers worth VND50,000 for every order on Women's Day. French supermarket chain Big C is offering discounts of between 5 and 50 per cent on 2,000 cosmetic and fashion products until April 1 under its Ton vinh ve dep Viet ('to honour Vietnamese beauty') programme. Female customers will be offered free consultancy on skin and body care. Big C is also offering discounts of up to 50 per cent on 800 essential goods such as household items, food and confectionery until April … [Read more...] about BUSINESS IN BRIEF 8/3
Germany, Vietnam cooperate in nurse training
Germany, Vietnam cooperate in nurse training Thuy Dung By Thuy Dung - The Saigon Times Daily HANOI – German Ambassador to Vietnam Jutta Frasch and Vietnamese Deputy Minister of Labor, Invalids and Social Affairs Nguyen Thanh Hoa on July 1 clinched a letter of intent to select and train students into nurses for taking care of elderly people in Germany. Students wanting to work as nurses in Germany must hold German language certificates issued by the Goethe Institute and complete relevant training courses in the European nation. Training centers in Germany will cover costs related to immigrant procedures and part of tuitions for students so that the latter can manage living expenses in the country. Vietnamese nurses do not have to pay enrollment and brokerage fees. Germany needs a great number of nurses due to its aging population and a lack of native laborers in the sector. Therefore, the country is now in need of qualified nurses. In April, Vivantes Company, a community … [Read more...] about Germany, Vietnam cooperate in nurse training