Also at the meeting, the deputies weighed in on the performance of Resolution No 68/2013/QH13 on accelerating the implementation of health insurance policies and laws towards universal health insurance coverage in the 2019-20 period.

The legislators praised the Government, relevant ministries and Vietnam Social Security (VSS) for the implementation of social insurance and health insurance policies. A number of solutions were proposed to improve the efficiency of the social insurance, unemployment insurance and health insurance policy implementation.

Caption 1: NA vice chairman Tran Thanh Man delivers an opening speech at the session.

Deputy Tran Thi Hien from Ha Nam Province said: “To implement social insurance policies and mechanisms, we have to implement relevant provisions on occupational accident and disease insurance stated in the Law on Occupational Safety and Hygiene; regulations on unemployment insurance regime in the Employment Law; and relevant provisions of the Labor Code.”

According to the Government’s report, besides the above-mentioned laws, we also have to comply with the provisions of more than 60 legal documents which provide instructions to implement the Government’s decrees, the Prime Minister’s decisions and circulars of ministries, she said.

The deputy said employers and employees needed a system of documents which are more accessible instead of various types of documents.

She proposed making amendments to the regulations to facilitate the Government in directing work and create conditions to adjust the insurance payment rate for businesses and employees but still ensure benefits and fund balance.

She also proposed the Government soon submit the draft amended law on social security to the NA to timely institutionalise the Party's resolution on reforming social insurance policies in the new situation and promoting the role of social insurance as a main pillar of the social security system.

Caption 2: NA deputies give feedback online.

Deputy Dang Bich Ngoc from Hoa Binh Province said punishments on insurance payment evasion and debts were not strict enough. Only 25.2 per cent of the debts in the 2016-20 period have been retrieved. A lot of businesses and employers have still committed violations, largely affecting rights and benefits of employees.

As workers are a vulnerable force, she proposed the Government analyse, evaluate the situation and issue strict sanctions to better manage social insurance payment.

Deputy Hoang Ngoc Dinh from Ha Giang Province said there should be flexible regulations on the time period of joining the voluntary social insurance scheme.

He proposed communes in extremely difficult circumstances in ethnic minority and mountainous areas, after being recognised by their local authorities to meet new rural standards, may continue to extend the implementation time of the health insurance policy for at least a year.

Deputy Chu Thi Hong Thai from Lang Son Province said the Government should continue to study and review regulations to soon amend the Law on Social Insurance with an aim to improve the rate of voluntary social insurance members as well as solve problems mentioned in the Government’s report.

In order to promote the implementation of legal policies on health insurance and move towards universal health insurance coverage, the Government also needs solutions to expand the collection agency system and step up communication work to encourage public participation, she said.

According to Deputy Pham Dinh Thanh from Kon Tum Province, the Government’s supportive policies in health insurance are needed to help locals, especially those from ethnic minority groups, access healthcare services, reduce personal financial burden and increase the insurance participation rate among ethnic minority people. It also aims to realise the target of 14^th NA’s Resolution 88 in which by 2025, 98 per cent of people from ethnic minority groups will participate in health insurance.

Caption 3: An overview of the meeting.

Deputy Le Van Dung from Quang Nam Province said the laws had not clarified the definitions of “payment evasion” and “payment delay”, leading to the fact that businesses suspend or evade insurance payment and increase debts. The Ministry of Labour, Invalids and Social Affairs should offer consultations to the Government to submit to the NA a legal corridor which helps distinguish the two definitions. At the same time, there should be tightened sanctions to strictly handle the employers who owe or delay social insurance payment.

Deputy Nguyen Ngoc Son from Hai Duong Province proposed expanding the network of subjects qualified for voluntary social insurance including employees working under labour contracts from one month.

Delivering a report to explain a number of issues, Minister of Labour, Invalids and Social Affairs Dao Ngoc Dung said the ministry would work with the finance ministry, the VSS and relevant agencies to address shortcomings in the social security work, including proposing to the NA the amendments to the social insurance law, employment law; using short-term funds for the right purposes; building policies which are attractive to employees and strengthening leadership.

Caption 4: Minister of Labour, Invalids and Social Affairs Dao Ngoc Dung delivers a report explaining issues.

Minister of Health Nguyen Thanh Long said the ministry would study the Law on Health Insurance which consists of provisions on expanding health insurance coverage; promoting healthcare rights for those joining the health insurance scheme; as well as transparent and effective use of the health insurance fund.

The health ministry is also considering adding regulations on check-ups using health insurance cards in case outbreaks occur, Long said.