Authorities from the provincial Social Security Office, People’s Committee and relevant departments attended the session.

VSS Director General Nguyen The Manh and the delegation at the working session with Nam Dinh Social Security Office

According to a report on social insurance, health insurance and unemployment insurance policy implementation, delivered by Director of Nam Dinh Province Social Security Office Tran Van Dung, as of December 15, 2023, more than 212,450 people have joined the compulsory social insurance scheme, meeting 96.58 per cent of the target. Meanwhile, 24,501 people have voluntarily joined the insurance, reaching 79.95 per cent of the target.

There were 201,108 unemployment insurance participants, equivalent to 96.72 per cent of the target; while 1,689,579 people participated in health insurance, meeting 98.78 per cent of the target.

Social insurance, health insurance and unemployment insurance collection reached 91.6 per cent of the collection target.

Dung said the province has failed to meet targets set for 2023 due to the global economic crisis, the conflict between Russia and Ukraine that have had negative impacts on production and trade activities of businesses in the province, particularly garment and textile and footwear enterprises, thus causing difficulties for insurance collection tasks. Over 6,480 workers in the fields of garment and textile and footwear lost jobs, leading to a reduction of VND72.6 billion in insurance collection.

It is also difficult to claim debts of businesses that already dissolved or were bankrupted.

He also mentioned difficulties on expanding participant network. The expansion of participants in voluntary social insurance scheme failed to meet the target due to low income of unofficial workers. Awareness of the benefits of social insurance, health insurance and unemployment insurance by a number of employees and employers remains limited. 

VSS Director General Nguyen The Manh and members of the working group assessed the implementation of tasks by the provincial Social Security Office. They also heard of difficulties and obstacles and shared feedback to solve the problems.  

Director of the VSS Department of Social Insurance Book and Health Insurance Card Duong Van Hao said the provincial Social Security Office has done well in collection and expansion of participant network over the past years with continuous growth annually. However, this year, the province met many difficulties, particularly in expanding participants in the voluntary social insurance scheme.

Hao suggested the Nam Dinh Social Security Office to coordinate with other organisations in the province more effectively and learn from good models in other localities. It is also necessary to review tax data and closely follow guidance because there are often changes in certain periods.

 An overview of the working session between VSS’s delegation and Nam Dinh’s local authorities

Director of the VSS Information and Communication Center Nguyen Thi Thanh Huong said the provincial Social Security Office has implemented many effective models and methods. However, the province has yet tapped full potential in coordinating with local organisations such as the women’s association and the farmers’ association. In the future, the provincial Social Security Office should promote information and communication tasks about the achievements of the social security industry in implementing social insurance and health insurance policies and enhancing communications and mobilizing people to use VssID applications to get regular update about their insurance contribution and benefits.

Concluding the working session, VSS Director General Nguyen The Manh spoke highly of the achievements made by Nam Dinh Province Social Security Office in implementing social insurance and health insurance policies, ensuring the interests of participants.

 VSS Director General Nguyen The Manh speaks at the working session

He asked the office to strive to complete and exceed the assigned tasks on collection targets and participant network expansion, particularly the coverage of social insurance and health insurance. It is not only targets but also responsibility of the Vietnam social security industry for people, striving to ensure social security.

The provincial Social Security Office also needs to closely coordinate with relevant departments and agencies to get effective support and guidance; speed up coordination between insurance collection and inspection teams to carry out unscheduled inspection at businesses that delay or evade insurance payment; and continue to review tax data, he said.

He also asked the office to analyse risks and signs of violations in health insurance claim review to carry out inspection and examination if needed; and consult local authorities to improve medical check-up and treatment quality.

The office needs to promote information and communication tasks in the coming time, particularly about the position and role of social insurance and health insurance policies, and mobilise people to get retirement pensions and social insurance benefits via banking accounts, he said.

In the remaining days of 2023, he asked the provincial Social Security Office to build plans to ensure normal operation through New Year holidays to serve citizens, workers and businesses./.