1. Full name of PhD student: Nguyen Thanh Cam 2. Gender: Female
3. Date of birth: August 11, 1975 4. Place of birth: Hanoi
5. Decision to recognize PhD students: Decision No. 1806/2018 dated June 29, 2018/QD-XHNV of the President of the University of Social Sciences and Humanities, Vietnam National University, Hanoi
6. Changes in training process (if any):
- Extension document No. 1966/QD-XHNV dated July 26, 2022 of the University of Social Sciences and Humanities, Vietnam National University, Hanoi.
- Extension document No. 5344/QD-XHNV dated December 18, 2023 of the University of Social Sciences and Humanities, Vietnam National University, Hanoi.
7. Thesis topic: Solutions to support access to basic social assistance for female migrant workers (Research in Hanoi city)
8. Major: Social Work 9. Code: 9760101.01
10. Scientific advisor: Associate Professor, Dr. Nguyen Hoi Loan
11. Summary of new results of the thesis:
Internal migration is an inevitable phenomenon in countries. Currently, whether the destination is urban or rural, income is the main reason for them to decide to stay. The age of female migrant workers (MFW) is mainly from 20-39 years old and most of them are married. Through the research results, it can be seen that:
In terms of social profile, the LĐNDC are mainly young people who migrate for the purpose of finding jobs and increasing their income. They mainly do simple jobs, manual labor and jobs that do not require much training or skills. And most of the jobs are self-searched by them, only a small number are introduced by acquaintances, neighbors, and friends. With a higher income than in the countryside and more job opportunities, the LĐNDC want to stabilize their lives in Hanoi.
Regarding access to basic social assistance, the LĐNDC in the study had poor housing conditions; high electricity and water costs; limited personal learning; and difficult access to education for their children when entering public high schools and higher costs than if they were studying at private schools. Regarding emergency assistance, the LĐNDC's access was limited, mainly depending on policy interpretation, implementation by officials, and the LĐNDC's engagement with the locality.
The COVID-19 pandemic has caused a serious crisis, affecting all aspects of people's lives, especially the LĐNDC group. To cope with the impacts of the pandemic, the most chosen measure by LĐNDC is to cut spending (eating, shopping, etc.) with 95.3%. The remaining measures were not chosen by more than 23%. A small number chose to move back to their hometown with 22.9%, followed by changing jobs with 18.8%, and moving to a place with lower fees with 16.4%.
Barriers that limit the access of LĐNDC to basic social assistance come from many sides. These include the mindset of some officials who carry out tasks, which consider migration to be negative; the management method is based on household registration and does not pay due attention to migrants. On the part of LĐNDC, barriers come from limited qualifications, lack of connection with the locality and poor social capital.
The research results also show the differences between the informal and formal sectors of workers. The informal sector workers have lower living standards, poorer access to social assistance, are at greater risk and have less ability to cope with social issues such as COVID-19. The main reasons come from the nature of work and social capital of the two groups of workers. Therefore, intervention programs are needed for each group to suit their individual needs. The survey results show that barriers to accessing social assistance also come from the lack of support resources and social assistance services from a social work perspective.
Solutions to improve the effectiveness of access to basic social assistance for the disabled need to come from three sides: the Government, the disabled, and social work centers and mass organizations such as the local Women's Union.
From the need for social assistance of the disabled, the study proposes a model to support the disabled with the subjects being social work activities from the social work center, social workers, social workers and officers implementing programs and projects of the women's union and NGOs in a coordination mechanism from the city's social work center.
LĐNDC support model
Social workers, Women's Union officers and relevant parties carry out the following activities:
Activity 1: Communicate and raise awareness of the government, businesses, organizations, and communities about migration, and view migration as a positive social phenomenon.
Activity 2: Promote the government and relevant parties to develop resources and services for the disabled and their families to access: labor, employment, social housing, lodging, education and health services...
Activity 3: Advocating for the rights of migrant workers to access housing, employment, vocational training, healthcare, education for children, emergency assistance, etc.
Activity 4: Provide in-depth mental health support services.
Activity 5: Organize group intervention activities to create links between migrant groups in general, and LĐNDC in particular, and the host community.
Activity 6: Build case management records for individuals and families of LĐNDC with special problems.
12. Further research directions: Continue to conduct more in-depth research on factors affecting the mental life of female migrant workers and their family members.
13. Publications related to the thesis:
1. Nguyen Thanh Cam, “Employment Status of Migrant Women in Hanoi, Vietnam”, International Journal of Advanced Research, ISSN: 23205407, pp. 321-327.
2. Nguyen Thanh Cam, “Current Situation of Migrant Female Workers' Access to Education and Health Care in Hanoi”, American Research Journal of Humanities & Social Sciences, E-ISSN: 2378-702X, pp. 90-97.
3. Nguyen Thanh Cam, “Barriers to accessing social assistance for female migrant workers in Hanoi”, International Scientific Conference Proceedings: Social security policy for migrant workers in Vietnam, Trade Union University, Vietnam General Confederation of Labor, ISBN: 978-604-330-767-2, pp. 83-94.
4. Nguyen Thanh Cam, “Access to emergency for migrant female workers in Hanoi during the COVID-19 pandemic”, International Scientific Conference Proceedings: Developing Social Work with Workers in Vietnam – Pioneering in social welfare and employment policies, Trade Union University, Vietnam General Confederation of labor assistance, ISBN: 978-604-946-719-6, pp.137-146.
INFORMATION ABOUT THE DOCTOR THESIS
1. Doctoral candidate: Nguyen Thanh Cam 2. Gender: Female
3. Date of birth: August 11, 1975 4. Place of birth: Hanoi
5. Doctoral Student Recognition: Granted by Decision No. 1806/2018/QD-XHNV dated June 29, 2018, by the Principal of the University of Social Sciences and Humanities, Vietnam National University, Hanoi.
6. Modifications in the Training Process (if any):
- Decision on Renewal No. 1966/QD-XHNV dated July 26, 2022, issued by the University of Social Sciences and Humanities, Vietnam National University, Hanoi.
- Decision on Renewal No. 5344/QD-XHNV dated December 18, 2023, issued by the University of Social Sciences and Humanities, Vietnam National University, Hanoi.
7. Thesis title: Solutions to support access to basic social assistance for female migrant workers (A Study conducted in Hanoi City)
8. Major: Social Work 9. Code: 9760101.01
10. Scientific supervisor: Associate Professor, Dr. Nguyen Hoi Loan
11. Summary of new findings in the Thesis:
Internal migration is a ubiquitous phenomenon across numerous countries. Recently, regardless of whether the destination is urban or rural, income is the predominant factor involving individuals' decision to migrate. The Workers demographic of the Female Migrant primarily comprises individuals aged 20-39, the majority of whom are married. Through research results show:
In terms of social demographics, the Female Migrant Workers primarily consist of young individuals seeking employment opportunities and enhanced income. At present, they are primarily engaged in simple, manual labor and occupations that do not require extensive training or skills. Most of these jobs are self-sought, with only a minor portion being introduced by acquaintances, neighbors, and friends. Given the higher income compared to rural areas and the abundance of opportunities, the Female Migrant Workers aspires to establish a stable life in Hanoi.
In accessing basic social assistance, the Female Migrant Workers suffer from poor housing conditions, high costs for utilities such as electricity and water, limited personal education. Their children have more difficulties in accessing Public High School and have to pay higher costs for private schools. The availability of unscheduled assistance is limited and depends largely on policy interpretation, implementation by officials, and the cohesion of the Female Migrant Workers with the locality.
The COVID-19 pandemic has precipitated a severe crisis, impacting all aspects of life, with the Female Migrant Workers being particularly affected. In response to the pandemic's impacts, the most prevalent measure adopted by the Female Migrant Workers is to reduce expenditure (on food, shopping, etc.), with 95.3% opting for this approach. Other measures were not chosen by more than 23% of them. A small portion, 22.9%, chose to return to their hometown, followed by 18.8% who chose to change jobs, and 16.4% who moved to more affordable accommodation.
Barriers that restrict the Female Migrant Workers' access to basic social assistance emanate from various sources. From some officials' perspective perceive migration negatively, and their management approach is based on household registration, often overlooking the needs of the migrants. From the perspective of the Female Migrant Workers, barriers arise from limited social skills, minimal connection with the locality, and poor social capital.
The research findings highlight the disparities between the Female Migrant Workers in the informal sector and those in the formal sector. The Female Migrant Workers in the informal sector experience a lower standard of living, have limited access to social assistance, are exposed to numerous risks, and are less equipped to handle social issues such as the COVID-19 pandemic. These challenges mainly stem from the nature of their work and their social capital. Given these disparities, it is imperative to develop intervention programs tailored to the specific problems and needs of each group of laborers. In addition the barrier to accessing social assistance also comes from the lack of support resources and social assistance services from a social work perspective,
To enhance the effectiveness of accessing basic social assistance for the Female Migrant Workers, a tripartite approach is required, involving the Government, the Female Migrant Workers themselves, and social work centers and mass organizations, such as Women's Unions.
Given the basic social support needs of the Female Migrant Workers, the study proposes a model of support for these workers. This model centers around social work activities conducted by social work centers, social workers, and officials of local labor programs. It also includes programs and projects of women's unions and non-governmental organizations (NGOs), all coordinated through the Hanoi City Social Work Center.
The proposed role of social work includes the following activities:
Model of support for the Female Migrant Workers
Activity 1: Communicate and raise awareness among the Government, businesses, unions, and communities about migration, promoting the recognition of migration as a positive social phenomenon.
Activity 2: Advocate for the Government and relevant parties to develop resources and services for the Female Migrant Workers and their families, including labor, employment, social housing, appropriate boarding houses, education, health services, and more.
Activity 3: Advocate for the rights of the Female Migrant Workers to access housing, jobs, training, health care, education for children and emergency assistance.
Activity 4: Provide mental health support services.
Activity 5: Organize group intervention activities to foster connections between migrant groups in general, and the Female Migrant Workers in particular, and the host community.
Activity 6: Develop case management records for individuals and families of the Female Migrant Workers with specific problems.
12. Future Research Directions: The research will continue to delve deeper into the factors affecting the mental life of the Female Migrant Workers and their family members.
13. Related Published Works:
1. Nguyen Thanh Cam, “Employment Status of Migrant Women in Hanoi, Vietnam”, International Journal of Advanced Research, ISSN: 23205407, pp. 321-327.
2. Nguyen Thanh Cam, “Current Situation of Migrant Female Workers' Access to Education and Health Care in Hanoi”, American Research Journal of Humanities & Social Sciences, E-ISSN: 2378-702X, pp. 90-97.
3. Nguyen Thanh Cam, “Barriers to accessing social assistance for female migrant workers in Hanoi”, International Scientific Conference Proceedings: Social security policy for migrant workers in Vietnam, Trade Union University, Vietnam General Confederation of Labor, ISBN: 978-604-330-767-2, pp. 83-94.
4. Nguyen Thanh Cam, “Access to emergency assistance for migrant female workers in Hanoi during the COVID-19 pandemic”, International Scientific Conference Proceedings: Developing Social Work with Workers in Vietnam – Pioneering in social welfare and employment policies, Trade Union University, Vietnam General Confederation of labor, ISBN: 978-604-946-719-6, pp.137-146.
