In response to questions concerning the Vietnamese people in Libya, the Consular Department of the Foreign Ministry on July 30 said most of the 1,550 Vietnamese people are living and working in non-violence areas of Libya.

Earlier, the Foreign Ministry instructed Vietnamese representative agencies in Libya to keep a close watch on the situation and work closely with local authorities and companies hiring Vietnamese labourers, thus standing ready to support and protect Vietnamese citizens there.

The Vietnamese Embassy in Libya was asked to inform the citizens of updated developments in the country and warn them to keep off from the clashing areas and keep in touch with the embassy for urgent assistance.

On July 27, the embassy said since complex situation felt in Libya, it has kept regular contacts with all Vietnamese citizens there to understand their circumstances and get itself ready to provide necessary support.

So far, the embassy has set up two hotlines - +00218 926 903 041 and +00218 923 654 587 – which are available round the clock for Vietnamese citizens in Libya. The Consular Department of the Foreign Ministry also opened its direct hotline: 0084 918370497 to assist them in case of emergency.

In the coming time, the Foreign Ministry will continue working closely with the Ministry of Labour, Invalids and Social Affairs as well as representative agencies of Vietnam in Libya and other regional countries to closely follow the situation and take relevant measures to ensure safety for Vietnamese people in Libya.

Measures to ensure safety for Vietnamese workers in Libya

The Ministry of Labour Invalids and Social Affairs (MOLISA) has implemented measures to ensure safety for 1,750 workers in Libya, including 200 in Tripoli and Bengazi, where conflicts are escalating.

Since early July when Libya first began showing signs of instability, MOLISA has kept in close contact with the Vietnamese Embassy in the North African country to monitor the situation, head of MOLISA’s Department of Overseas Labour (DOLAB) Nguyen Ngoc Quynh reports.

“Policies have been implemented to ensure Vietnamese labourers near areas of unrest have sufficient food and are safe,” Quynh said adding “Some workers in areas like Tripoli and Bengazi cities have been relocated to safer areas.”

Vice Director of Sona Company Nguyen Duc Nam said his company has sent 500 workers to Libya and 200 of them have been evacuated to Turkey for safety reasons.“The agency has also been in contact with businesses and evacuation procedures have been worked out if it becomes necessary.” Quynh said.

Turkish businesses have temporarily halted all work on their projects in Libya and are sending their Vietnamese workers home. Nam said around 79 workers flew back home on July 29.

The remaining workers will return to Vietnam or work at different projects in Turkey or other countries until the situation in Libya stabilises, he said.

VNA/VOV