On the morning of November 9, as part of the ongoing second session of the 16th National Assembly, deputies discussed in plenary the draft Law amending and supplementing a number of articles of the Law on Social Insurance, along with several draft laws in the fields of labour, employment, and occupational safety and health.

Minister of Home Affairs Nguyen Tien Hai (National Assembly)

Following the discussion, Minister of Home Affairs Nguyen Tien Hai, acting on behalf of the Government and the drafting agency under the Prime Minister's authorisation, presented a report explaining and addressing deputies' comments on three draft laws.

According to the minister, the drafting agency had compiled and reviewed the opinions raised by deputies and initially provided explanations and responses to more than 170 comments made during group discussions. At the plenary session that morning alone, 27 deputies took the floor.

Regarding the draft Law amending and supplementing a number of articles of the Law on Social Insurance, the minister focused on clarifying four major issues that had drawn considerable attention from deputies.

Study roadmap for expanding compulsory social insurance coverage

Regarding the proposal to expand compulsory social insurance coverage to include workers without employment relationships and those working on digital platforms, Minister Nguyen Tien Hai said that, taking into account Conclusion No. 276 of the National Assembly Standing Committee, appraisal opinions and comments from deputies, the drafting agency planned to propose that the Government retain the existing provision authorising it to submit to the National Assembly Standing Committee decisions on compulsory social insurance participation for groups with stable and regular employment and income, in line with socio-economic development conditions in each period, but not yet specifically covered by the law.

The expansion of coverage to workers without employment relationships and those working on digital platforms would be studied when the necessary conditions are met.

The drafting agency also plans to continue conducting assessments and research to make recommendations to the competent authorities when submitting the Scheme on Reform of Wage and Social Insurance Policies. This will serve as a basis for considering specific provisions during the comprehensive revision of the Law on Social Insurance, which is expected to take place in 2027-2028.

Three additional provisions proposed for investment of the Social Insurance Fund

Regarding the investment portfolio of the Social Insurance Fund, the minister said that, in response to comments from National Assembly deputies and the appraisal agency, the drafting agency had held consultations with relevant agencies and conducted a thorough review. It plans to propose that the Government add the following provisions to the draft law:

First, introduce investment principles requiring safety, preservation of capital, sustainability, efficiency and transparency.

Second, assign the Government the responsibility of providing detailed regulations on criteria and mechanisms for evaluating, selecting, monitoring and controlling risks, as well as the roadmap for diversification, investment portfolios, structures and methods for investing the Social Insurance Fund.

Third, specify the responsibilities of certain agencies in carrying out state management.

After the law is passed, the drafting agency will coordinate with the Ministry of Finance to study and submit to the Government detailed regulations on evaluation and selection criteria, monitoring mechanisms and risk control measures, ensuring compliance with the principles stipulated in the law.

Retain existing provisions on supplementary pension insurance

Regarding supplementary pension insurance, based on appraisal opinions and comments from National Assembly deputies, the drafting agency plans to propose that the Government retain the provisions of the 2024 Law on Social Insurance.

Accordingly, the current draft does not introduce a mechanism allowing individual employees to make voluntary contributions to establish supplementary pension funds.

The Ministry of Home Affairs will continue coordinating with the Ministry of Finance to study and clarify issues raised by deputies, providing a basis for proposing improvements to this policy during the comprehensive revision of the Law on Social Insurance, expected in 2027-2028.

Streamline administrative procedures while ensuring digital transformation does not restrict benefits

Regarding the reduction of documentation requirements and administrative procedures for settling social insurance entitlements, the minister said the draft law would be refined in the direction of stipulating only the time at which entitlement arises and liability for compensation, while leaving detailed regulations on required documents, deadlines, processes, procedures, and the retrieval and use of substitute data to the Government.

A key requirement is that the digital transformation process and the issuance of electronic social insurance books must not restrict participants' access to, exercise of or enjoyment of their entitlements, particularly among the elderly, persons with disabilities, people living in remote and isolated areas or areas facing particularly difficult socio-economic conditions, and those without access to or the ability to use electronic devices.

According to the minister, a draft Government decree on social insurance documentation and procedures is being developed towards minimising documentary requirements, promoting electronic transactions and developing databases.

At the same time, mechanisms for collecting contributions and making benefit payments will be maintained in ways appropriate to different groups of participants, including home delivery of payments for elderly people and those in poor health.

The drafting agency will also study the possibility of adding and clarifying the responsibilities of local authorities, particularly commune-level administrations, in implementing social insurance policies following the restructuring of the organisational apparatus.

Minister Nguyen Tien Hai affirmed that the drafting agency would continue working closely with appraisal agencies and National Assembly bodies to compile, study, incorporate and provide full explanations for all comments, thereby finalising the draft law and ensuring its feasibility and alignment with practical conditions./.