Labor ministry seeks Japan tax waiver for Vietnamese workers

In a discussion with Gen Nakatani, Special Advisor to Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida, on Tuesday, Minister of Labor, Invalids and Social Affairs Dao Ngoc Dung pointed out the yen's 30% decline has reduced the workers' incomes and if they also have to pay residence tax and income tax, they would be reluctant to work in Japan.

A Vietnamese worker in Japan earns US$1,200-1,400 a month on average, according to statistics from the labor ministry.

Dung also called for improving internship and training programs, reevaluating programs to employ caregivers for elderly people and consider expanding the list of jobs Vietnamese could do, such as in food and beverage, hospitality, driving, and railway maintenance.

Nakatani acknowledged Dung's requests and pledged to help realize those requests.

Vietnam began sending workers to Japan in 1992 and about 350,000 Vietnamese have been employed there.

More than 90% of over 600,000 Vietnamese working overseas are in Japan, South Korea and Taiwan.