Lack of construction workers, businesses reward money for recruiting people

Being rewarded "hot" when introducing a person to do it

Mr. Tran Dinh Trong (41 years old, from Thanh Hoa), the main worker at a construction site in Thuong Phuc commune (Hanoi), said that in more than 15 years of working, he has never seen construction businesses "hunt" workers as fiercely as they are now. "Previously, workers had to struggle to find jobs, now businesses proactively offer many incentives to attract labor," Mr. Trong said.

Since the beginning of 2026, his company has applied a "hot" bonus policy for people introducing new workers. He has mobilized 3 relatives from his hometown to come to Hanoi to work as construction workers, with technical guidance from main workers. After about half a year, all 3 have become proficient in the profession, with a stable income of 350,000-450,000 VND/day.

After my 3 younger siblings completed their probation period and signed stable employment contracts, I received a "hot" bonus of 4.5 million VND from the company - an amount equal to a week's labor. The company's bonus for the referrer not only creates additional real income for old workers, but more importantly, it creates trust. Compatriots invite each other to work, live in the same construction tenement, and support each other in work, so everyone is assured to stick with it for a long time," Mr. Trong shared.

Businesses "thirsty" for workers

Mr. Nguyen Van Hung - Director of Hanoi Urban Investment & Construction Joint Stock Company (Hoang Mai ward, Hanoi) said that currently the "thirst" for labor in the construction industry in the Hanoi market has reached an alarming level.

We are facing a serious shortage of skilled workers such as formworkers, ironworkers, and finishers. The main reason is that the young labor force today is not enthusiastic about the construction profession, many people choose to drive technology vehicles or work at factories and industrial parks," Mr. Hung said.

Also according to Mr. Hung, many large and key projects in the Capital are being implemented simultaneously, which is also the reason why businesses find ways to recruit workers but cannot meet the quantity.

To overcome the personnel shortage, the company is willing to accept unskilled workers who have never had experience, accepting to spend costs and time to organize retraining. Long-term skilled workers will be assigned to directly tutor new people. The company also applies a "hot" bonus policy for any official or worker who introduces a new worker who has been attached for 3 months or more. At the same time, we increase welfare levels such as supporting meal allowances, arranging standard temporary housing, and paying 24/24 accident insurance to retain workers," Mr. Hung said.

According to the Hanoi Employment Service Center, the recent thematic job transaction session in the construction - mechanics - transportation sector showed that out of 7,965 recruitment targets, there are 4,371 positions recruiting technical workers.

The session had 39 units and businesses participating, more than 54% of the recruitment target is the group of technical workers in the construction industry. This figure is a vivid proof that the "thirst" for construction labor at construction sites is at an alarming level. As the progress of infrastructure and urban projects in Hanoi accelerates, the pressure of a shortage of direct labor force becomes even heavier on businesses," said Mr. Vu Quang Thanh - Deputy Director of Hanoi Employment Service Center.

According to Mr. Thanh, the core cause of this situation stems from changes in the career orientation of the labor force when young workers tend to shift to service and transportation industries.

In addition, the information connection channel between working households in rural and remote areas and contractors in urban areas still has many bottlenecks.

To solve this problem and strengthen labor supply and demand connection in the coming time, the Hanoi Employment Service Center will promote the organization of thematic, mobile and online job transaction sessions connecting inter-provinces; strengthen the bridge role in collecting, analyzing and forecasting the labor market; closely coordinate with vocational education institutions to train according to business orders.

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