NA Deputy Tran Van Tien asked: Could you elaborate on policies which have been implemented to support those affected by COVID-19? How are support packages accessible to those in need? In the context of the continued complexity and unpredictability of the pandemic, which is seriously affecting both labourers and enterprises, which recommendations does the Ministry of Labour, Invalids and Social Affairs propose to the Government to help labourers and enterprises overcome difficulties, and assist enterprises in laying the ground for recovery and development?

NA Deputy Duong Minh Anh asked: Many voters held that those entitled to the Government’s support policies found it difficult to get access to the support packages due to cumbersome and complicated procedures. As far as you are concerned, how should these procedures be simplified, and the process be shortened to enable the people to quickly access the above-mentioned support packages? In addition, the dual impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic and the Fourth Industrial Revolution have been creating critical changes on the employment and labour market, as well as labourers themselves. How should the vocational training system be improved to enhance the quality of human resources for production and business activities, services, and satisfying national economic development?

Minister of Labour, Invalids and Social Affairs Dao Ngoc Dung answers questions raised by NA deputies

Answering questions raised by Deputy Tran Van Tien, Minister Dung said, besides policies that Viet Nam has promulgated in 2021 targeting certain groups of people including sponsored parties, people who had made great contributions to the national revolution, and children, policies related to the disadvantaged and retirees are about to be introduced soon. “We take steps to approach all those people entitled to social welfare,” said the Minister.

Regarding policies implemented after the fourth outbreak of COVID-19, Minister Dung said the ministry had reported to and consulted with relevant authorities and reported to the National Assembly Standing Committee. The Government and Prime Minister had directly instructed the issuance of some policies to assist labourers and employers to help them overcome difficulties caused by the COVID-19 pandemic. The Minister said most of the above-mentioned policies were designed to provide prompt support for both employees and employers.

Deputy Tran Van Tien of Vinh Phuc Province takes the floor

In response to the NA deputies’ concerns, Minister Dung said the Party and State leaders have drastically instructed the labour, invalids and social affairs sector. “The Ministry of Labour, Invalids and Social Affairs in coordination with the Ministry of Finance, the State Bank of Vietnam, and the Ministry of Planning and Investment have worked day and night to have three groups of policies promulgated, especially Resolution No 68, Resolution No 116, and Resolution No 126,” said the Minister.  

In regard to the accessibility of the above-mentioned policies, the Minister said, basically speaking, three groups of policies have been realised and have proven effective. Some VND60,000 billion has been disbursed, providing assistance to more than 40 million people and over 500,000 employers. “It can be said that the policies have been implemented in an open and transparent manner, approaching the right people,” said Minister Dung.

NA Deputy Duong Minh Anh of Ha Noi makes a speech

However, the Minister said, certain problems arose during the implementation process due to social distancing. Shortcomings were unavoidable due to the urgency of the situation while the number of people required for the implementation process was huge; the organisation and implementation as well as staff of the labour, invalids and social affairs sector at grassroots levels remained limited. For instance, the Minister said: "Some people complained they had not received any support or the support had been so slow or even been given to the wrong people."

Despite these weaknesses, the Minister reiterated that, basically speaking, the policies have been implemented well. More importantly, on the basis of these policies, localities have issued follow-up policies and mobilised various social resources to provide local people with timely support.

A view of the Q&A session

With newly-introduced policies to support enterprises post-pandemic, the Minister said, the Ministry of Labour, Invalids and Social Affairs was assigned five tasks, of which four have been completed.

First, advise the revision of Decree 152; reducing procedures to attract high-quality labour force; and supporting enterprises facing difficulties in paying insurance premiums for their labourers.

Second, introduce a labour recovery programme to assist labourers and enterprises. 

Third, train and re-train labourers. 

Fourth, implement social security policies, especially those supporting the daily lives of workers. The Minister said: "These issues will be thoroughly presented in the national economic recovery programme."/.