The Ministry of Labour, Invalids and Social Affairs (MoLISA) is carrying out measures to create sustainable employment, as many businesses are forced to cut the number of their employees, although the labour market is showing signs of recovery in the second quarter of this year.

Over the recent past, the ministry has directed the Departments of Labour, Invalids and Social Affairs to actively coordinate with the management boards of industrial parks, export processing zones and economic zones, and the local Confederations of Labour, representative organisations of employers and relevant departments and sectors to grasp the production and business situation of enterprises, and promptly take appropriate solutions to remove difficulties and obstacles for them.

Actions taken to ensure sustainable employment. Photo: VNA

However, in the long run, it is necessary to concertedly implement measures such as attracting investment and supporting enterprises to recover and develop production and business by helping them access the market, find new customers, and reduce production and business costs through reducing loan interest rates, taxes, reduce fees and charges.

In addition, the ministry will take measures to ensure the interests of employees and employers through guiding and ensuring payment of social welfare policies in accordance with regulations, while strengthening coordination with relevant parties to closely monitor and promptly report, have plans to support workers and businesses if necessary.

Attention will be paid to organising job fairs, accelerating the implementation of digital transformation in employment transactions to facilitate labour supply and demand linkages and save costs, and improving the quality of human resources.

Illustrative image (internet)

It is also important to strengthen the close coordination between the MoLISA, the Vietnam General Confederation of Labour, the Vietnam Chamber of Commerce and Industry, and the People's Committees of provinces and cities in implementing solutions to promote harmonious and stable labour relations; and intensify the labour ministry’s coordination with the Ministry of Planning and Investment and the Ministry of Finance to arrange additional capital sources and improve the effectiveness of credit policies to support job creation through the Vietnam Bank for Social Policies.

Over the past 25 years the number of workers living in extreme poverty has declined dramatically, despite the lasting impact of the 2008 economic crisis and global recession. In developing countries, the middle class now makes up more than 34 percent of total employment – a number that has almost tripled between 1991 and 2015.

However, as the global economy continues to recover we are seeing slower growth, widening inequalities, and not enough jobs to keep up with a growing labour force. According to the International Labour Organization, more than 204 million people were unemployed in 2015.

The SDGs promote sustained economic growth, higher levels of productivity and technological innovation. Encouraging entrepreneurship and job creation are key to this, as are effective measures to eradicate forced labour, slavery and human trafficking. With these targets in mind, the goal is to achieve full and productive employment, and decent work, for all women and men by 2030.