In Report No. 11/BC-UBXH15 on some opinions on the implementation of support policies for unemployed workers and those affected by the COVID-19 epidemic, the NA’s Committee on Social Affairs reported, from 2020 until now, Vietnam has experienced four outbreaks of the epidemic. If the previous three outbreaks were successfully controlled, at present, Vietnam is facing the fourth one, which is considered to have extremely complicated developments, different and more difficult than the previous stages. As of July 20, 2021, 58 provinces and cities have been recorded to have cases in the area.

However, the NA's Committee on Social Affairs highly appreciated the timely implementation of policies to support workers who lost their jobs and those affected by the COVID-19 epidemic, which demonstrated the superiority of the regime and the leading role, wise and timely direction, responsibility of the Party, the NA and the Government. At the same time, they have contributed to overcoming difficulties in the lives of people, workers and businesses affected by the impact of the COVID-19 epidemic; not only helped workers and businesses have more resources to fight the epidemic, but also more importantly, help them have the necessary preparation to continue in the labor market, contributing to encourage the spirit and trust of people and businesses in the Party and State. In addition, they mobilize, motivate and encourage people, social communities and businesses to jointly create many specific ways and methods to share difficulties with the State in the context of the epidemic being complicated and unpredictable; develop the tradition of solidarity and mutual affection of the Vietnamese people, contributing to building the image and position of Vietnam in the international arena.

Efforts to implement policies to support people and workers affected by the Covid-19 epidemic. Photo: Internet

Implementing the Government's Resolution No. 68/NQ-CP dated July 1, 2021 on a number of policies to support employees and employers facing difficulties due to the COVID-19 pandemic and Decision No. 23/2021/QD-TTg dated July 7, 2021 of the Prime Minister providing for the implementation of a number of policies to support employees and employers facing difficulties due to the COVID-19 pandemic, over the past time, the whole social security industry of Vietnam has made a great number of efforts. Notably, on July 21, the VSS issued Document No. 2157/BHXH-TST and sent to the social security agencies of the provinces, centrally-run cities and attached units regarding the urgent implementation of support policies for employees and employers facing difficulties due to the Covid-19 pandemic. It can be affirmed that, right after the Government issued Resolution No. 68/NQ-CP and the Prime Minister issued Decision No. 23/2021/QD-TTg, the VSS has urgently and drastically implemented numerous solutions to carry out related work in a proactive and timely manner, with the top goal of bringing the State's support policies to each participant and beneficiary of the social and unemployment insurance policy; ensure the processing of dossiers is implemented conveniently and in the fastest time, creating maximum convenience for employers and employees. VSS has affirmed its role as an agency in organizing and implementing policies on social, health and unemployment insurance, contributing to solving difficulties for units and businesses, ensuring social security, and responding to the Covid-19 epidemic in accordance with the direction of the Government and the Prime Minister.

Regarding a number of issues that need attention in the process of implementing the support package under Resolution No. 68/NQ-CP, the NA's Committee on Social Affairs said, for policies related to the Fund for Social Insurance, Occupational Accidents and Occupational Diseases and Unemployment Insurance, it is necessary to have specific statistics and monitoring for each case; have an early forecast of the business's operation situation, to avoid the situation that the implementation of support affects the preservation of the Fund and does not guarantee the interests of the employees. In particular, it is vital to pay attention to the legal consequences and the roadmap for refunding the suspension of social insurance contributions in case after the expiration of the suspension period, the enterprise is unable to repay, leading to a difficult situation and affects the implementation of social insurance policies and regimes for employees, as well as difficulties for implementing agencies to manage the social insurance fund.

Simultaneously, it is necessary to consider having a support mechanism for localities, especially those that cannot balance their own budgets to ensure that all eligible subjects can access the support package to stabilize lives, promote the meaning and value of the policy. In addition, in the process of implementing the policy, it is fundamental to pay attention to the group of subjects who are medically isolated at home at the request of competent state agencies, basically this group of people also face difficulties regarding concentrated isolation and in the blockade area.

In the coming time, the NA's Committee on Social Affairs proposes to the Government to review and comprehensively evaluate policies to support those affected by the COVID-19 epidemic to make appropriate forecasts, scenarios, and proposals in order to support more effectively and facilitate access to ensure the right target and audience; to adapt to new approaches and new guiding views on disease prevention and control. In case it is necessary to continue to have timely and prompt support policies for people, workers and businesses, it is crucial to study specific policy proposals of localities and beneficiaries. At the same time, to continue to strengthen information and propaganda on COVID-19 prevention and control with the 5K+ vaccine messages; fully, continuously, accurately, and transparently communicate about licensed vaccines and vaccination work so as not to lose people's trust, avoid misleading information to confuse the public and take strict action against violations.

In addition, it is recommended that the Government direct ministries and branches to continue studying, proposing and promulgating according to their competence fiscal policies, monetary policies, social security policies and other policies in order to support people, workers and businesses affected by the COVID-19 epidemic; in case of exceeding their competence, they shall report them to the NA and the NA's Standing Committee for consideration and decision. To direct the Ministry of Planning and Investment, the Ministry of Labor, War Invalids and Social Affairs and relevant ministries and branches to conduct field surveys, have a mechanism to regularly and fully access information about the hit enterprises and workers; report to the Government for appropriate policies to support businesses, workers and people to ensure support policies to meet immediate, urgent and long-term difficulties, in accordance with the socio-economic situation. To strengthen information, propaganda, and mobilize people and businesses to participate in the campaign "Vietnamese people give priority to using Vietnamese goods" to promote production and consumption of domestic goods.

In addition, the NA and the NA's Standing Committee will continue to pay attention to the allocation of contingency budgets to support unemployed workers and other subjects affected by the COVID-19 epidemic. To direct the Ethnic Council, NA's Committees, Delegation of the NA Deputies, People's Councils of provinces and cities to strengthen supervision of the implementation of COVID-19 epidemic prevention and control and implement policies to support unemployed workers and other affected subjects.