An analysis and summary of the execution of the 2014 Social Insurance Law revealed various reasons contributing to the low participation in voluntary social insurance. Among these reasons, the primary one is the lack of attractiveness in the social insurance policy. Workers have not been enjoying short-term benefits, while the support provided for those engaging in voluntary social insurance remains considerably low. Meanwhile, in recent times, the government has instituted policies supporting women from ethnic minority groups within impoverished households residing in administratively challenging regions when giving birth, in line with population policies.

Enhancing Maternity Benefits to Increase the Appeal of Voluntary Social Insurance Policies

To concretize the content outlined in Resolution No. 28-NQ/TW by the Central Committee of the Communist Party of Vietnam in the XII term regarding social insurance policy reform, the draft law on social insurance stipulates that workers participating in voluntary social insurance (including both men and women) are entitled to maternity benefits if they meet specific criteria (contributing to social insurance for at least 6 months within the 12 months prior to childbirth), allowing them to receive a subsidy of 2,000,000 VND per child (equivalent to the support currently provided by the state budget for impoverished ethnic minority women giving birth under the population policy). The government will determine the adjustment of maternity subsidies in line with the economic and social development conditions and the capacity of the state budget in each period. The voluntary social insurance maternity benefit system ensured by the state budget aims to enhance policy attractiveness, especially for young workers, increasing benefits for participants without requiring additional contributions compared to the current situation.

Speaking at the Committee, National Assembly Delegate Ha Phuoc Thang (Ho Chi Minh City) assessed that the provisions outlined in the Draft Law would enhance attractiveness and encourage more people to participate in voluntary social insurance. However, the suggested support amount of 2 million VND should be replaced by a percentage based on the minimum average income of each region or the average of the four regions combined, according to the electorate's opinion. Given the annual value changes, it's preferable not to specify a particular amount.

Delegate Thang also suggested that if both spouses participate in voluntary social insurance, they should both be entitled to this benefit when having a child, further increasing the policy's appeal.

National Assembly Delegate Tran Van Khai (Ha Nam) expressed that the subsidy of 2 million VND per child is considerably low. According to international standards, women need at least 14 weeks of maternity leave. The current amount equates to only 145,000 VND per week, approximately 600,000 VND per month, which is 40% of the rural poverty standard.

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In practice, the government has provided support policies for women from ethnic minority backgrounds residing in impoverished households in administratively challenging regions when giving birth, aligning with population policies. Therefore, I propose a minimum maternity benefit of 1.5 million VND per month (equivalent to the rural poverty standard) for 14 weeks (3.5 months) for workers participating in voluntary social insurance (including both men and women). This suggestion is suitable and maintains support for women from impoverished households who are ethnic minorities, aligning with population policies. The state budget would cover the maternity benefit cost at the first level and involve sharing the maternity fund of the social insurance policy, aiming to achieve universal coverage for all mothers giving birth in Vietnam.

A widespread maternity subsidy system in Vietnam could alleviate the financial burden on households unable to contribute to social insurance, contributing to enhancing maternity protection for workers, especially women, thereby expanding social insurance coverage. The goal of family/child subsidies is to ensure no Vietnamese woman (or family) falls into poverty due to childbirth./.