Accordingly, in the face of complicated developments of the COVID-19 pandemic and strictly implementing the instructions of the Government and the Prime Minister on firmly maintaining the results of COVID-19 epidemic prevention and well protecting the health of the people as well as ensuring the best interests of more than 3.2 million people enjoying pensions and regular social insurance allowances and more than 200,000 people enjoying lump-sum social insurance allowances and unemployment benefits, VSS requests Vietnam Post and the social insurance agencies of provinces and centrally-run cities to keep some contents under proper performance.

Payment of pension and social insurance allowance in May and June 2021 will be implemented in the same period (done by May 20, 2021). The provincial and municipal social insurance agency shall coordinate with the Post Office to develop a payment plan for May and June in the same payment period suitable for each locality, avoiding crowds of people to ensure the safety of the beneficiaries as in the direction of the Prime Minister.

To notify beneficiaries of changes in the method, time and place of payment so that they would be aware and follow the regulations. To require the paying staff and beneficiaries to strictly comply with the 5K rules of the Ministry of Health (MoH), especially to wear a mask and use antiseptics, etc. in accordance with regulations; to get masks and free antiseptics ready at the payment site to serve the payer and the beneficiary in case the beneficiary does not have a mask.

To strengthen inspection and supervision of the payment process, ensuring strict implementation of the COVID-19 epidemic prevention measures at payment sites.

Illustrative image (Source: Baohiemxahoi.vn)

To combine the mobilization and encouragement of beneficiaries with specific and practical solutions to deliver payment of allowances for social and unemployment insurance via personal accounts according to Decision No. 241/QD-TTg dated February 23, 2018 of the Prime Minister on promoting via-bank payments for public services (taxes, electricity, water, tuition fees, hospital fees and payment for social security programs).

Directors of social insurance agencies of provinces and cities shall hold the responsibility for strictly implementing the requirements and conditions for ensuring epidemic safety in the process of paying pensions and allowances for social and unemployment insurance, actively update local situation and get ready to implement payment solutions to response to all situations and scenarios of the Steering Committee for COVID-19 prevention and control at the locality. If an area requires isolation or blockade, the payment plan and time must be agreed upon by the Committee.

VSS requires the Vietnam Post to direct the Provincial Post Office to coordinate with the social insurance agency to propose and report to the Provincial People's Committee and the National Steering Committee on COVID-19 Prevention and Control on the plan to pay pension and allowances for social and unemployment insurance in May, June 2021 and continue to implement COVID-19 epidemic prevention measures in the following months.

To coordinate with the social insurance agency to develop payment plans suitable for each locality, according to the evolution of the COVID-19 epidemic, to ensure the safety of beneficiaries and payers, to avoid crowds of people following the instructions of the Government and Prime Minister.

To increase payroll staff, arrange more payment tables to reduce waiting time of beneficiaries and avoid crowds. To implement strictly prevention of COVID-19 epidemic, ensuring cash safety when paying to beneficiaries.

To inform beneficiaries of the place and time of payment, and measures to prevent the epidemic at the payment site so that beneficiaries can choose and arrange an appropriate time to receive money and follow the COVID-19 epidemic prevention measures.

To fully implement the prevention measures of COVID-19 according to the Official telegram No. 541/CD-TTg, Notice No. 81/TB-VPCP at the payment sites; to take responsibility for any case of epidemic transmission occurring during the payment process as the Post Office does not strictly comply with the requirements and regulations on COVID-19 prevention and control./.