On June 10, 2023, the Government issued Decree No. 33/2023/NĐ-CP, which stipulates regulations for commune-level officials, civil servants, and non-specialized individuals at the commune level, in hamlets, and in residential groups.

According to Article 6, Clause 11 of Decree No. 33/2023/NĐ-CP, officials in the Culture and Social sector belonging to the commune-level civil service, are assigned additional tasks: Providing advice to the People's Committee of the commune in social, health insurance, labor safety and hygiene matters; establishing criteria for the development of participants in social insurance and health insurance within the annual socio-economic development plan to be submitted to the People's Council at the same level for decision-making.

Improving the Steering committee on implementation of social and health insurance at commune level according to the assigned task at the Government’s Decree No 33/2023/NĐ-CP (illustrated picture)

In order to engage the participation of the political system down to the commune level in implementing local social, health and unemployment insurance policies, the Director-General of the Vietnam Social Security has instructed the Social Security agencies in provinces and centrally governed cities to expeditiously carry out the following:

Disseminate and thoroughly explain the contents of Government Decree No. 33/2023/NĐ-CP to officials, civil servants, and employees under the provincial Social Security system, ensuring their understanding and proactive collaboration with the officials in the Culture and Social sector during the execution of their assigned duties and tasks.

Illustrative image (internet)

Direct the district-level Social Security offices to actively and cooperatively work with the district People's Committees, commune People's Committees, and relevant local agencies and units in establishing criteria and targets for the development of individuals participating in social and health insurance. These criteria and targets should be submitted to the People's Council at the same level for inclusion in the annual socio-economic development targets, in accordance with the Government's Resolution No. 69-NQ/CP dated May 19, 2022, regarding the assignment of development targets for participants in social insurance, and Decision No. 546/QĐ-TT dated April 29, 2022, by the Prime Minister, regarding the assignment of targets for the coverage of health insurance during the 2022-2025 period.

Direct the district-level Social Security offices to continue advising the local party committees and authorities at the commune level on the complete formation of the Steering Committee for the Implementation of Social and Health Insurance Policies. This committee should comprise members including officials in the Culture and Social sector, district-level Social Security personnel, associations, organizations at the commune level, village chiefs, neighborhood leaders, and service collection points within the commune's jurisdiction. A charter for the committee's operations should be issued, clearly delineating the responsibilities of each member and assigning development targets for social and health insurance participants to each Steering Committee and its members.

VSS’ Director-General requests the Directors of the Social Security offices in provinces and centrally governed cities to diligently implement the above-mentioned tasks. In case of any obstacles during the implementation process, timely reports should be made to the People's Committees of provinces, centrally governed cities, and the VSS for consideration and resolution.