Heads of VSS units delivered reports on their performance in 2021, including building policies and laws; policy and law dissemination; expansion of the social insurance participant network, unemployment insurance and health insurance; payment of social insurance, unemployment insurance and health insurance regimes and policies; financial management; inspection and examination; administrative procedure reform; digital transformation; international cooperation; and supporting businesses and people facing difficulties due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

According to the reports, the VSS has made a number of achievements in all tasks, contributing to the implementation of social progress and justice, ensuring economic and political stability, social security, local livelihoods, and sustainable development.

VSS General Director Nguyen The Manh

As of December 31, 2021, more than 16.5 million people have joined the social insurance scheme, increasing by 2.2 per cent compared to 2021 and covering 33.77 per cent of working-age people.

The number of people joining unemployment insurance has reached nearly 13.4 million, increasing by 0.4 per cent over the previous year, covering 27.34 per cent of working-age people.

There have been more than 88.8 million people joining the health insurance scheme, increasing by 0.9 per cent compared to 2020, covering 91.01 per cent of the population. This is one of the most remarkable achievements for the sector as assigned by the Government.

Of note, the number of voluntary social insurance members continued to increase sharply, which was a bright spot highly appreciated by the 15th National Assembly.

In 2021, there were more than 1.45 million members of voluntary social insurance, an increase of 28.9 per cent over the same period last year, covering 2.96 per cent of working-age people in the farming and non-official sectors, higher than the target set by Resolution 28-NQ/TW (one per cent).

In 2021, the VSS paid monthly pension allowances and social insurance allowances to 3.3 million people at nearly 15,000 venues nationwide.

Also in 2021, over 738,000 people received unemployment allowances and more than 7.8 million people benefited from sickness, pregnancy, health recovery allowances.

As many as 125.96 million people used health insurance cards for check-ups and treatment.

 VSS Deputy General Director Dao Viet Anh delivers a report on performance in 2021

In particular, in 2021, the VSS actively worked with relevant agencies to complete and submit to the Government and the Prime Minister policies supporting employees and employers affected by the pandemic.

Speaking at the conference, VSS General Director Nguyen The Manh said the sector had achieved the dual targets of completing assigned tasks and supporting COVID-19-affected labourers and employers despite unexpected difficulties and challenges.

The achievements were made thanks to the leadership of the Party, the drastic, regular, timely, consistent and thorough direction and administration of the Government and the Prime Minister in sustainable socio-economic development, ensuring social security for people along with the cooperation of relevant ministries and agencies at all levels and local authorities, he said.

He also praised the VSS for drastic and creative measures and for flexible plans in response to the pandemic and natural disasters. The sector has taken advantage of internal power from human resources, infrastructure, technology and digital transformation; solidarity, responsibility, determination, and efforts to overcome difficulties of the whole staff.

Based on such achievements, General Director Nguyen The Manh asked all staff to continue to promote the spirit of solidarity, dynamism, creativity, and further determination to strive in accomplishing the assigned tasks for 2022. Especially, it should attach special importance to action programmes of the Government, the sector, and units in implementing Resolution 28-NQ/TW on social insurance policy reform; and to work closely with local authorities to provide them with timely and proper instruction and advices.

Also at the event, General Director Nguyen The Manh awarded the Prime Minister's Emulation Flags and Certificates of Merit to collectives and individuals for their contributions./.