Under the proposal, employers and employees will temporarily suspend social insurance payments to the Pension and Death Fund.

The proposal is believed to contribute to the Government’s efforts to ensure safety, social security and peace for people throughout the country during the COVID-19 pandemic, he said.

In the fight against the COVID-19 pandemic, PM Phuc has chaired many recent meetings with ministries, sectors and localities.

At the meetings, he stressed that the Government not only fought to save the lives of people but also ensured their livelihoods and jobsare not affected by the pandemic.

Currently, the fight against the pandemic has entered a new stage, with a higher target of ensuring health and employment, as well as the daily lives of people, he said.

The task would be more challenging, however, the PM said that Viet Nam would beat the pandemic with full participation of the political system, all sectors and ministries, combined with the support of every Vietnamese citizen.

Thus, the people's livelihoods would continue to be guaranteed, he said.

Statistics showed that the Government has annually provided jobs to 1.5-1.6 million labourers as well as sent more than 100,000 labourers to work abroad under contracts.

The rate of unemployment always remains about 2-2.2 per cent. In urban areas alone, the rate of unemployment is below 3.5 per cent.

“Without great efforts, the achievement could be seriously damaged due to the pandemic,” he said./.