Solving the problem of "thirst" for labor in industrial zones

Industrial parks (IPs) in the province have recorded positive occupancy rates, along with notable growth in production and export indicators. However, along with these encouraging signs, the province is also facing a worrying issue,

Positive signs in industrial development in the province are becoming increasingly clear. According to the Provincial Industrial Park Management Board, in just the first 5 months of 2025, the occupancy rate of three key industrial parks (South, Minh Quan, Au Lau) reached 86.35%, an increase of 4.49% compared to the end of 2024. Along with that, the industrial parks have attracted 9 new projects with a total registered capital of 763.61 billion VND. Production and business activities have also flourished with the total industrial production value estimated at 2,004 billion VND, an increase of 3.67% over the same period, and the export value is estimated at 47.86 million USD, a sharp increase of 35.4%. However, this growth has not been accompanied by human resources, creating a worrying "bottleneck". With 93 projects in operation, the total number of employees in the industrial parks is currently only about 4,716 people.

Through the reporter's research and observations, a number of businesses are facing a serious labor shortage, especially in finding and attracting qualified human resources. Many barriers are making industrial parks less attractive in the race to attract human resources. The first and biggest is the income barrier.

The average salary in industrial parks is only about 6.5 million VND/person/month. This figure is clearly not competitive enough with neighboring "industrial capitals" such as Vinh Phuc, Bac Giang , Bac Ninh, where workers can receive significantly higher salaries. A sad paradox is that even businesses willing to pay high salaries are "red-eyed" looking for workers. A representative of Unico Global YB Co., Ltd. (Au Lau Industrial Park) shared: "The average income in the past few months has been 9 million VND/month. We need 200 more workers, but competition for labor is very difficult now, there are no workers".

Similarly, the recruitment sign of 100 workers with attractive salaries from 8 to 16 million VND/month of Thien An Vietnam Wood Industry Company Limited (Southern Industrial Park) shows that although the salary level is very competitive, the supply still cannot meet the demand. Besides the income factor, the social infrastructure has not kept up, which is also a big challenge. Although the province has made efforts to invest in infrastructure, with the Au Lau resettlement project and internal roads of Minh Quan Industrial Park being implemented, the lack of social housing projects and low-cost housing makes it difficult for workers from other provinces to feel secure in staying long-term. Finally, another problem from within the enterprise, an unprofessional working environment, is also a barrier to retaining workers.

A positive, cohesive working environment is key to keeping employees engaged for the long term. (Photo: Workers at the Southern Industrial Park)

The report of the Industrial Park Management Board clearly pointed out that some enterprises have not completed legal procedures on land, construction and environment before going into operation; others are not operating in accordance with their objectives, arbitrarily subleasing factories or discharging waste in violation of regulations. This unstable and opaque environment is unlikely to attract disciplined and skilled workers, who are always looking for safety and fairness in their work.

The human resource problem cannot be solved by individual measures but requires a comprehensive, synchronous strategy from the government to enterprises. There needs to be a breakthrough policy, a clean land fund and an attractive incentive mechanism to call for strong investment in social housing and accompanying cultural and service institutions. At the same time, the survey of vocational training needs of enterprises needs to be promoted, moving towards a model of ordering training on demand to resolve the gap between labor supply and demand, ensuring a quality and suitable human resource. Finally, it is necessary to resolutely rectify and handle violating enterprises to create a transparent, fair business environment, protecting the legitimate rights of workers.

On the business side, it is time to change the mindset, shifting from competing to attract to focusing on retaining employees. In addition to salary and bonuses, businesses need to focus on corporate culture, safe working conditions and development opportunities for employees. A positive and cohesive working environment will be the key factor for employees to stay long-term. Businesses also need to proactively solve the problem of "settling down" for employees, helping to bring long-term production stability, while demonstrating the social responsibility of businesses to employees and the locality, which needs to be replicated.

To attract workers to industrial parks, it is necessary to harmoniously combine infrastructure improvement with proactive and responsible thinking of enterprises, in order to create a favorable environment for workers to truly consider Yen Bai as a land of "settling down and working".

Thanh Phuc

Source: https://baoyenbai.com.vn/12/352196/Giai-bai-toan-khat-lao-dong-vao-khu-cong-nghiep.aspx