At the meeting, Mr. Le Van Thanh - Deputy Minister of Labor, War Invalids and Social Affairs said that from 2020 until now, due to focusing on the prevention of the Covid-19 epidemic, many units and businesses have had to spend a lot of time and money on securing and maintaining jobs. As a result, some agencies and units have not paid much attention to the prevention of occupational accidents and diseases.

In this context, in 2022, the OSH Action Month takes place in the new normal, with the policy of economic development combined with flexible and safe adaptation to Covid-19. Accordingly, the Ministry will continue to require employers to both strengthen epidemic control and prevent occupational accidents and diseases. “We need to strengthen activities to reduce occupational accident risks, improve working conditions and safely and flexibly adapt to the Covid-19 epidemic. This is also the theme of the OHS Action Month 2022”, emphasized Mr. Thanh.

Regarding the occupational accident and disease insurance policy, Thanh informed that the policy has been promulgated and put into practice. In that process, the authorities shall continue to monitor, research and strengthen the improvement of policies and regimes on occupational accidents and diseases, especially on its fund. However, some regulations on the support level in the Law on OSH for victims of occupational accidents are still low. Therefore, in the coming time, the Ministry of Labour, Invalids and Social Affairs will study and advise the Government to propose the National Assembly to adjust the support level so that workers and their relatives face less difficulty.

Overview image of the meeting (source: Internet)

Regarding the fact that there is a policy gap among employees without an employment relationship (freelance workers) in the implementation of the occupational accident and disease insurance policy, Thanh confirmed, the number of employees in this category is not small and they are facing great disadvantages. Therefore, the occupational accident and disease insurance policy for self-employed workers is under additional study. Specifically, the Ministry will study and develop a draft decree to submit to the Government allowing employees without an employment relationship to contribute to the occupational accident and disease insurance fund like those in the official sector. Thereby, freelance workers can enjoy the same benefits as employees with labor relations.

At the meeting on the Action Month held on the same day, Mr. Ha Tat Thang - Director General of the Department of Work Safety (Ministry of Labour, Invalids and Social Affairs) also said that the OSH Action Month (May 1 to May 31) will officially be launched on April 28 in Hanoi. The launching ceremony program is also combined with the organization of Workers' Month. Up to this point, 8 ministries, branches, corporations and more than 40 localities have developed plans to respond to the Action Month. Compared to 2021, the scope of the 2022 program is expanded, with numerous activities being organized across the country such as: Dialogue of the National and Provincial Councils on OSH; organizations of seminars, dialogues, contests, experience sharing and typical models on OSH.

During this period, departments and agencies will coordinate to organize inspection, examination and supervision on OSH in industries and occupations with high risks of occupational accidents and diseases such as: Construction, electricity, mining, chemical, mechanical, working in confined spaces.

Also at the meeting, Mr. Nguyen Manh Kien - Deputy Head of Department of Publicity and Education (Vietnam General Confederation of Labor) emphasized that the Trade Union determined that there will be 3 key activities in the OHS Action Month 2022. A key activity held in May is a dialogue between leaders of the Party and State and employees on issues of salary, the life of trade union members and employees. Furthermore, the Trade Union will cooperate with the employer to organize the Forum on "Employees for businesses; businesses for employees". The Vietnam General Confederation of Labor will launch and widely implement at the grassroots the activities of the "Thank you employees" program on this occasion.

According to statistics of the Ministry of Labour, Invalids and Social Affairs, in 2021, the area without labor relations has 707 cases of occupational accidents, causing 748 accidents, 175 cases causing fatal consequences. Occupational accidents mainly occurred in the fields of construction, agriculture, crafts, mechanics, trade and services. The localities with the highest number of deaths from occupational accidents is Hanoi, Lang Son, Quang Nam, Hung Yen, Hai Duong, etc./.