Hanoi (VNA)ꦐ – The maritime shipping sector is facingdifficulties caused by strong drops in its workforce.
Statistics of the Vietnam Maritime Administration (VMA)showed the workforce of the industry dropped from more than 45,000 in 2014 to over39,000 in May 2018, with the highest fall seen in the number of sailors. According to Vu Khac Cuong, head of the VMA’s Register Shipsand Seafarers, a large number of sailors quitted in the past time, whilemaritime colleges are no longer attractive to high school graduates. Director of the Tan Dai Duong (New Ocean) Shipping JSC Vo HongKhanh said there are many reasons for sailors to quit, one of which is low payand insecure welfare. He noted that average monthly salary of Vietnamese sailors isaround 10 million VND (nearly 440 USD) compared to 14-15 million VND in Chinaand 1,300-1,500 USD in Japan or the Republic of Korea. In addition, many Vietnamese ship owners do not buy insurancefor sailors, or if they do, the maximum payment for a sailor in case of anaccident is around 30 million VND (around 1,310 USD), while sailors on Japaneseor RoK ships are eligible for between 25,000-40,000 USD. Khanh added that while Vietnamese sailors working for foreignships are exempted from personal income tax, those working on domestic shipsare not, which is unfair. On the other hand, ship owners said it is difficult for themto raise the salary for sailors. The transport fee for cargo on the Sai Gon (Ho Chi Minh City)– Hanoi route is around 70,000 – 80,000 VND (3 – 3.49 USD) per tonne,equivalent to two bowls of Pho, said Vice Chairman of the Diem Dien Shipping Association Vu Duc Then. Many ship owners are also facing the risk of bankruptcy ifthere is no timely policy from management agencies in terms of finance andadministrative procedures, Then said. In order to keep and attract more workers to the sector, BuiViet Hoai, Deputy Director General of the Vietnam National Shipping Lines (Vinalines)suggested that training establishments should cooperate with prestige shippingcompanies to provide trainees with opportunities to practise in a professional environmentand find job after graduation. According to Bui Thien Thu, Deputy Director of the VMA, theadministration aims to raise the maritime workforce to 42,000 by 2020.-VNA
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Illustrative image. (Photo: VNA)
