The workshop was attended by several National Assembly Delegates, representatives of leadership from relevant Ministries and Committees, members of the drafting committee, and the editorial board of the draft amendment to the Social Insurance Law. Also present were representatives from businesses, business associations, and various organizations, both domestic and international.

On the right track

Addressing the opening of the workshop, Deputy Minister of Labor, Invalids and Social Affairs Nguyen Ba Hoan emphasized that the social insurance policy has gradually affirmed and promoted its role as the main pillar of the social security system. It serves as a guarantee to replace or compensate for a part of the income for workers when they encounter risks in life.

Deputy Minister of Labor, War Invalids and Social Affairs Nguyen Ba Hoan spoke at the opening of the conference

Regarding the key contents of the draft law, Deputy Minister Nguyen Ba Hoan stated that the draft law closely adheres to five policies approved by the National Assembly. These policies include building a multi-tiered and flexible social insurance system, expanding the coverage of social insurance participants, extending the coverage of beneficiaries (monthly pensions, regular social insurance benefits, and retirement allowances), adding regulations on the management of social insurance contributions, and diversifying the portfolio and investment structure of the social insurance fund based on the principles of safety, sustainability, and efficiency.

According to Deputy Minister Nguyen Ba Hoan, the amendment of the Social Insurance Law aligns with the political direction involving policy reform groups related to social insurance. The objective is to construct a multi-tiered and modern Vietnamese social insurance system that gradually conforms to international standards. The draft law needs to closely adhere to policy reform groups, including adjustments to retirement age, policy packages, and delegating tasks to local authorities.

Speaking at the workshop, VSS’ Deputy Director General Le Hung Son emphasized the importance of seeking expert opinions to amend the Social Insurance Law at this time. Given the current needs of the social insurance sector, it is crucial to consult experts and draw from the experiences of other countries worldwide to develop a new Social Insurance Law.

VSS’ Deputy Director General Le Hung Son delivered a speech

During the workshop, representatives from the Social Insurance Department (Ministry of Labor, Invalids and Social Affairs) provided an overview of the basic content of the draft amendment to the Social Insurance Law, outlining the key principles and orientations in building the draft law.

Based on the policies approved by the National Assembly, the draft amendment to the Social Insurance Law specifies 11 major provisions, including adding social retirement benefits to establish a multi-tiered social insurance system, expanding mandatory social insurance participants, supplementing benefits for sickness and maternity regimes for non-specialized workers at the communal level, adding maternity benefits to voluntary social insurance policies, reducing the minimum contribution years for monthly retirement benefits from 20 years to 15 years, regulating one-time social insurance benefits, adding provisions for managing contributions and collecting social insurance, compulsory contribution bases, amending provisions related to the State sector's salary areas in line with Resolution No. 27-NQ/TW, and amending and supplementing provisions on diversifying the portfolio and investment structure of the Social Insurance Fund based on the principles of safety, sustainability, and efficiency, as well as managing social insurance costs.

According to the representative of the Editorial Team of the Social Insurance Law Amendment Project, the basic documentation of the draft Social Insurance Law meets the requirements specified in Article 64 of the Law on Promulgation of Legal Normative Documents. However, the deadline for submitting the documentation has not been ensured in accordance with the regulations.

The draft amendment to the Social Insurance Law also supplements provisions regarding the responsibilities of agencies in identifying and managing individuals eligible to participate in social insurance. The draft law has also amended and added numerous measures to address and sanction situations of evading social insurance contributions, such as stipulating the payment of interest on the evaded amount (similar to tax regulations).

Mobilizing the entire political system to ensure the best rights for people and workers

The workshop heard different opinions regarding the one-time withdrawal of social insurance funds in the draft amendment to the Social Insurance Law. Therefore, the drafting agency is actively listening to and incorporating these opinions. At the same time, ensuring that social insurance policies are a long-term solution for workers.

ILO experts gave speeches

The workshop also featured Mr. Gama, Director of the Social Security Program, ILO Office in Vietnam, presenting on the topic "Expanding Social Insurance and Multi-tiered Retirement Coverage: International Experience and Some Recommendations, Comments on Vietnam's Policies."

However, the ILO representative pointed out that there are still many challenges to achieving the goal of extending retirement coverage to the majority of workers, especially in the context of an aging population. One of these challenges is accepting increased costs from the state budget for these programs. However, this is necessary to expand coverage effectively.

Some opinions at the workshop also agreed with the amendment of the draft Social Insurance Law, which is currently closely aligned with the objectives of Resolution No. 28-NQ/TW dated May 23, 2018, of the 12th Central Executive Committee on social insurance policy reforms.

Overview of the conference

The workshop emphasized the need for a clearer view of the advantages and challenges in implementing the goal of expanding coverage. It also highlighted the principles of sharing and harmonious combination between the contribution and benefit principles to reflect the essence and effectiveness of the policy./.