COVID community groups have played a part in Vietnam's fight against the pandemic.(photo: Internet)

Right policy

The implementation of the policy to support the people and enterprises since the outbreak in 2020 is highly significant as it shares the difficulties faced by the business community. Such a policy has helped reduce the loss caused by the pandemic, restore production, ensure the people’s lives, and enhance public trust in the Party and State.

At a meeting on June 25, the Politburo listened to a Government report on the impacts of COVID-19 outbreaks on manufacturing and business activities. Workers in industrial parks, processing-export zones and residents in densely populated provinces and cities have been particularly hit hard.

In this context, the formulation of a policy to support enterprises and workers is a necessary and urgent matter as Vietnam is seeking to achieve the dual of goal of fighting the pandemic and fostering economic growth.

Concluding the meeting, General Secretary Nguyen Phu Trong said the Politburo has agreed to continue introducing the policy to support enterprises and workers struggling due to the impacts of COVID-19.

He asked for drawing on the experience from implementing the previous Government resolution so that new measures will truly target those in need and be carried out in an transparent and effective manner.

The Politburo requested the Government and the National Assembly to direct the agencies concerned to soon introduce a new support policy and implement it effectively.

Rice is transported to a rice dispensing machine in Ho Chi Minh City to help local residents overcome difficulties (Photo: Internet)

Transparency needed

According to Minister of Labour, Invalids and Social Affairs Dao Ngoc Dung, the total funding for the new support policy is estimated at VND26 trillion (over US$1.1 billion).

Pleased about the General Secretary’s statement at the Politburo meeting, Nguyen Duc Thuan, a local Fatherland Front official in Hanoi, said the however big or small the amount of funding is, the right policy at this time will be a motivation for enterprises and their workers to overcome the difficulties.

Vu Quang Tho, a former director of the Institute for Workers and Trade Unions, stated that the Politburo’s endorsement of the support policy is a right and humane move as currently many workers are “hungry” for jobs and wages as their incomes have decreased. At this time, the Party and State’s opening their arms to help the workers is truly necessary.

Many experts stated that the most important thing is ensuring support will promptly reach those in need. The criteria of eligibility for support must be made transparent before discussing the extent of benefits. Experience from the first support worth VND62 trillion (US$2.7 billion) will be necessary to implement this second stage.

Tho said that support money is valuable, but if distributed improperly, it will result in the distorted implementation of the Party and State’s policies. Therefore, it is necessary to step up supervision to detect irregularities during the process of implementation.