Vietnam, Albania Sign MoU on Labor Cooperation

The Socialist Republic of Vietnam and Albania signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) on labor cooperation in Hanoi on July 29, 2026. The signing ceremony was attended by Deputy Minister of Home Affairs Vu Chien Thang for Vietnam and Minister of Economy and Innovation Delina Ibrahimaj for Albania. This MoU establishes an official framework for cooperation between the two ministries in the field of labor. Deputy Minister Vu emphasized that the agreement is expected to expand and diversify overseas labor markets, promoting a safe, transparent, efficient, and sustainable manner. A key provision of the MoU guarantees Vietnamese workers equal treatment in employment relations in Albania. They will also receive wages, working conditions, and welfare benefits in accordance with Albanian law. Crucially, Vietnamese workers will not be required to pay any pre-departure fees, as employers will bear all such costs. This is seen as an important foundation for promoting fair, transparent, and ethical recruitment practices, safeguarding the legitimate rights and interests of workers. Albania has a demand for approximately 20,000–30,000 foreign workers, with a particular interest in those from Vietnam, especially individuals with vocational skills and foreign language proficiency. In the first five months of 2026, Vietnam dispatched 53,159 workers abroad under labor contracts, reaching 47.5 percent of its full-year target. This labor cooperation initiative is part of Vietnam's strategy to expand employment opportunities for its citizens abroad and contribute to economic growth under its one-party political system. For Vietnam, which maintains strong economic ties with China, securing labor supply routes to the European market also holds strategic significance for economic diversification.