OneStepVietnam presents
Monthly Newsletter of September 2023
ECONOMIC NEWS
The estimated Gross Domestic Product (GDP) for the third quarter of 2023 is expected to increase by 5.33% compared to the same period last year (the first quarter increased by 3.28%, and the second quarter increased by 4.05%). Specifically, the agriculture, forestry, and fisheries sector are expected to grow by 3.72%, contributing 8.03% to the overall added value growth of the economy; the industry and construction sector are expected to grow by 5.19%, contributing 38.63%; and the service sector is expected to grow by 6.24%, contributing 53.34%.
Throughout the first nine months, the production of essential industrial products demonstrated robust growth rates. Notable examples include: sugar production 37.1%, television manufacturing 10.1%, chemical paints production 9.1%, fabrics production 8.3% and laminated steel production 7.1%.
Moreover, encouraging signs have emerged from key export sectors, including textiles, chemicals, metals, prefabricated metals, and furniture. For the first nine months of 2023, the total merchandise export turnover is estimated to reach 259.67 billion USD.
Source: General Statistics Office and Vietnam Economic News – Ministry of Industry and Trade.
NEW LEGAL REQUIREMENTS
1. Decree No. 70/2023/ND-CP on Amendments to the Government’s Decree No. 152/2020/ND-CP dated December 30, 2020 on Foreign Workers Working in Vietnam, and Recruitment and Management of Vietnamese Workers Working for Foreign Employers in Vietnam.
The Decree updates new requirement on employment of foreign workers.
According to the Decree, at least 15 days before the date on which foreign workers are expected to be employed, the employer (except contractor) shall determine the demand for foreign workers for every job position for which Vietnamese workers are underqualified and send an explanation report to the Ministry of Labor, War Invalids and Social Affairs (MOLISA) or the Department of Labor, War Invalids and Social Affairs (DOLISA) of province where the foreign workers are expected to work, using Form No. 01/PLI Appendix I hereto appended.
During the process, in case of any change to the demand for foreign workers in terms of job position/job title, working mode, quantity of workers, working locations, the employer shall send a report to the MOLISA or DOLISA, using Form No. 02/PLI Appendix I hereto appended at least 15 days before the date on which the foreign worker is expected to be employed.
– If the foreign workers fall under any case of clause 3, 4, 5, 6 and 8 of Article 154 of the Labor Code and clauses 1, 2, 4, 5, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, and 14 Article 7 of this Decree, the employer is not required to determine the demand for foreign workers.
– From January 1, 2024, the announcement of recruitment of Vietnamese workers to positions expected to recruit foreign workers shall be made on the website of the MOLISA (Employment Department) or the website of the Employment Service Center, which is established by the President of the People’s Committee of province or centrally affiliated city (hereinafter referred to as province), within at least 15 days from the expected date of sending an explanation report to the MOLISA or the DOLISA where the foreign worker is expected to work. The recruitment announcement shall contain job position/job title, job description, quantity of workers, required qualifications and experience, salaries, working time and location. After an unsuccessful attempt to recruit Vietnamese workers for positions that are expected to be filled by foreign workers, the employer is responsible for determining the demand for employing foreign workers in accordance with point a, clause 1 of this Article.
The MOLISA or the DOLISA shall issue a document specifying acceptable and unacceptable job positions for foreign workers, using Form No. 03/PLI Appendix I hereto appended within 10 working days after receiving an explanation report on demand for foreign workers or report on change thereof.
The Decree was issued on September 18, 2023 and came into force on the same day.
2. Circular No. 11/2023/TT-BYT on the Implementation of Smoke-Free Areas and the Consideration for the Tobacco-Free Environment Award.
This circular promulgates list of smoke-free areas.
– Indoor and outdoor areas are entirely smoke-free.
Including facilities or areas at high risk of fire and explosion, as stipulated in Appendix II of Decree No. 136/2020/ND-CP. At these area, warning sign of no-smoking shall be posted at areas containing potential fire and explosion hazards.
– Indoor areas are entirely smoke-free.
– Public transportation vehicles are entirely smoke-free.
– Indoor areas where smoking is prohibited, but designated smoking areas are allowed for individuals who smoke.
There shall be no cigarette lighters, smoking paraphernalia, cigarette butts, or ashes at smoke-free locations.
The Circular came into force from August 1, 2023.
ONESTEPVIETNAM NEWS
In September 2023, OneStepVietnam provided regular audit, assessment, Higg FEM and SLCP verification services for its customers.
OneStepVietnam team – September 2023