Creating Local Jobs for Ethnic Minority Communities
Instead of seeking employment in major cities, many ethnic minority workers in Don Duong Commune (Lam Dong) are choosing to work for local agricultural enterprises and cooperatives. Local employment not only provides a stable income but also allows workers to spend more time with their families, remain connected to their communities, and participate in local cultural and social activities.
Staying Close to Home
A clear shift in labor trends has been seen as ethnic minority workers increasingly opt for on-site jobs. These models offer sustainable livelihoods that suit local conditions, helping retain labor and stabilize community life.
Ms. A Ben, from the Cil ethnic group, has worked for Yen Sang Anh High-Tech Agriculture Co., Ltd. for eight years. Choosing to work close to home after finishing high school, she gradually mastered farming and packaging tasks. A stable income and shorter commutes have enabled her to better care for her family.
According to Mr. Phan Thanh Sang, Director of the company, all of its approximately 60 employees are local ethnic minority workers. Hiring local labor brings mutual benefits: employees stay close to home and commit long-term, while businesses can flexibly scale production during peak seasons. He noted that with proper guidance, ethnic minority workers are fully capable of handling technical roles.
A Driver of Local Development
Mr. Tran Hung Dung, Chairman of the Don Duong Commune People’s Committee, said the locality has strong advantages in large-scale dairy farming, high-tech agriculture, flower production for domestic and export markets, as well as services and tourism. Currently, around 212 enterprises, cooperatives and business households operate steadily in the area, with a growing number employing ethnic minority workers.
Enterprises play a key role in driving economic growth and job creation, thereby contributing to sustainable poverty reduction, social stability and improved living standards. With ethnic minorities accounting for 35.8% of the population, expanding local employment opportunities is laying a solid foundation for comprehensive and sustainable development in Don Duong.