Overview of the session

In his opening remarks, Mr. Lam Van Doan stated that the meeting was a thematic working session with the department directly responsible for implementing SI policies, aimed at collecting additional practical information to support the drafting of the Law amending and supplementing a number of articles of the Law on SI. He emphasized that VSS plays a pivotal role in implementing SI, unemployment insurance (UI), work injury & occupational disease insurance policies. Therefore, practical insights drawn from policy implementation are of significant importance to the process of further refining the policy.

Mr. Lam Van Doan encouraged participants to engage in candid and objective discussions, focusing on both the positive outcomes achieved during the implementation of the 2024 Law on SI and the difficulties and challenges arising in practice. These discussions, he noted, would provide the drafting body with additional evidence to further refine the proposed amendments. He stressed that the session was neither an inspection nor a supervisory activity, but rather a policy dialogue between the examining body and the implementing department, with the shared objective of building an increasingly comprehensive social security system that meets the requirements of the country's new stage of development.

Presenting at the working session, VSS leaders outlined the key issues currently under consideration in the draft Law amending and supplementing a number of articles of the Law on SI. They also reviewed the implementation of the 2024 Law on SI and highlighted several issues arising in the course of implementation. On that basis, VSS proposed continued study and refinement of a number of provisions to ensure consistency across the legal system, expand SI coverage in line with labour market developments, improve the efficiency of SI fund management, and facilitate participation in and entitlement to SI policies for both citizens and enterprises. All recommendations were grounded in practical implementation needs and aimed at developing stable, feasible policies that ensure long-term social security.

During the discussion, National Assembly deputies and members of the working delegation highly appreciated the practical recommendations proposed by VSS. Discussions focused on proposed amendments to ensure consistency within the legal system, enhance the management and use of the SI fund, and expand social security coverage. Participants also recommended that the impacts of each policy option be thoroughly reviewed and assessed before submission to the National Assembly. In addition, they suggested that VSS continue strengthening the practical basis for its proposals by providing further supporting arguments and implementation plans to facilitate the exammination process and the completion of the draft Law.

Speaking at the meeting, VSS Director General Le Hung Son highly appreciated the working delegation’s approach of engaging directly with the policy implementation department to comprehensively understand issues arising from practice. He affirmed that amendments to the Law should be grounded in practical requirements while adopting a long-term vision to respond to changes in the labour market, digital transformation, artificial intelligence, and economic development. VSS will continue to closely coordinate with National Assembly agencies, the drafting agency, and relevant ministries and sectors to further study and refine the proposed amendments based on scientific and objective principles, ensuring their feasibility and effectiveness in practical implementation.

Concluding the working session, Mr. Lam Van Doan acknowledged and highly appreciated VSS’s strong sense of responsibility, thorough preparation, and thoughtful comments. He noted that the opinions presented were firmly grounded in practical policy implementation and would serve as valuable references for improving the draft Law. He requested VSS to continue reviewing and refining its reports, providing additional practical grounds, conducting further impact assessments, and studying additional policy options, particularly for issues on which differing opinions remain. On that basis, the Committee for Culture and Social Affairs will continue to consolidate and study the recommendations while coordinating with the drafting agency and relevant bodies to finalize the draft Law, ensuring its quality, feasibility, and alignment with development requirements in the coming period of the social security system.