The Draft Law Reflects a Shift in Legislative Mindset

In her report on key issues regarding the draft Employment Law (amended), Chairwoman of the Social Affairs Committee Nguyễn Thúy Anh noted that the draft law has achieved the objectives set during its development. Currently, there are no significant disagreements between agencies on major aspects of the draft.

Minister Đào Ngọc Dung further elaborated on the draft law during the 41st session of the National Assembly Standing Committee (NASC).

To finalize the draft law and define provisions under the Government’s authority, the Social Affairs Committee recommended:

• Ensuring that registration and updates of information for workers participating in mandatory social insurance do not incur additional costs, or if costs arise, they are not deducted from the Social Insurance Fund.
• Carefully evaluating the significant administrative and financial implications of creating a labor database and labor market information system. The drafting agency must assess the impact, forecast costs, and structure to ensure feasibility.
• Including a provision for unemployment insurance subsidies to support employers hiring disabled workers by reducing their unemployment insurance contributions.

The Social Affairs Committee supported policies to encourage employers to hire disabled workers, emphasizing the Party and State’s commitment to assisting vulnerable groups. However, the draft's broad definition of "disabled persons" requires clarification, given the Law on Persons with Disabilities defines three levels of disability (mild, severe, and especially severe). Additionally, accurate data on disabled workers is needed to estimate resources effectively.

The draft proposes reduced unemployment insurance contributions for employers of disabled workers, which necessitates an assessment of its impact on the Unemployment Insurance Fund. Currently, the fund operates on a nearly balanced annual inflow and outflow.

The Social Affairs Committee urged the drafting agency to:

• Eliminate overlapping provisions and focus the law on matters under the National Assembly's authority, leaving administrative details for subordinate regulations.
• Carefully draft implementing documents and assess the law’s provisions to ensure clarity and feasibility.
• Engage stakeholders for consensus and ensure consistency with the legal framework.
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Retaining Superior Policies

Minister Đào Ngọc Dung emphasized that the draft law adheres to the principle of retaining all existing superior policies for workers. "This is the foundation of social policy development in the new era, transitioning from stability and assurance to stability and development, in line with Resolution 42," he stated.

Regarding labor registration, Minister Dung affirmed its necessity, particularly for informal workers. The draft law outlines principles for labor registration and database management, leaving detailed implementation to subordinate regulations.

Improving Labor Market Management and Unemployment Insurance

Vice Chairwoman of the National Assembly Nguyễn Thị Thanh concluded the discussion, highlighting the draft law's alignment with four key policy groups, introducing flexibility, efficiency, modernity, sustainability, and integration into labor market governance.

Key provisions include:

• Expanding coverage for unemployment insurance.
• Revising flexible contribution rates and benefit mechanisms for unemployment insurance.
• Facilitating sustainable employment policies through increased funding and broadened access to preferential credit policies for employment solutions, especially for vulnerable and specialized groups
• Vice Chairwoman Thanh urged the Social Affairs Committee to promptly incorporate feedback from this session, finalize the draft law, and prepare a detailed explanatory report for submission to the NASC. Ensuring the draft law’s quality and timeliness remains a top priority.