In a bid to tackle workforce shortages and bolster economic development, Greece is actively pursuing enhanced labor cooperation with Vietnam and other nations within the ASEAN bloc. During a recent meeting in Athens, Greek Minister of Migration and Asylum, Athanasios Plevris, engaged with representatives from Vietnam, Thailand, the Philippines, and Indonesia to discuss potential bilateral labor agreements. Plevris highlighted the importance of these agreements in safeguarding the rights of both workers and employers while also aiding Greece’s efforts to curtail irregular migration.
The significance of managing migration effectively has grown following the European Union’s introduction of the new Pact on Migration and Asylum, according to Plevris. This initiative underscores the importance of structured migration policies for member states, including Greece, which is keen on developing its workforce through international cooperation. Early agreements with ASEAN countries, Plevris noted, are crucial to this strategy and to ensuring a well-regulated labor market.
Vietnamese Ambassador Phạm Thị Thu Hương expressed optimism about the progress made in discussions with Greece. She conveyed hopes for a soon-to-be-finalized formal labor agreement that would enhance employment opportunities for Vietnamese workers and further solidify diplomatic and economic ties between Greece and Vietnam. Such an agreement is seen as mutually beneficial, fostering stronger relations while addressing Greece’s labor market needs.
Minister Plevris responded positively to Vietnam’s proposal, instructing relevant Greek authorities to persist in negotiations with Vietnam and other ASEAN countries. The aim is to expedite the formalization of labor cooperation agreements, which are viewed as key to both addressing workforce shortages and ensuring orderly migration processes.
Currently, approximately 1,700 Vietnamese nationals hold valid residence permits in Greece, according to data from the Greek Ministry of Migration and Asylum. This statistic underscores the existing foundation of Vietnamese workers contributing to the Greek economy, a base that both countries hope to expand through formalized labor agreements.