Gifts are delivered to disadvantaged people in HCM city (Photo: thanhuytphcm.vn)

Pillars of the economy include job generation, social security, social support, and poverty reduction, which aim to create a safe environment for all social groups, particularly vulnerable people. The government adopted 3 major social security packages, many new policies, and flexible measures to meet urgent needs in the fight against COVID-19.

Timely, effective measures

According to the Ministry of Labor, Invalids, and Social Affairs, in 2021 more than 740,000 employers and nearly 43 million workers benefited from social security policies worth nearly 3.2 billion USD. The support policies focused on insurance, cash support, and preferential credits. Government Resolution 116 on support policies for employers and employees affected by the COVID-19 pandemic using the Unemployment Insurance Fund helped workers overcome difficulties and stabilize their lives, and prevented labor supply chain disruptions and labor shortages.

In addition to the government resolution, several social security policies were implemented in 2021. The National Fund for Vietnamese Children worked with 46 cities and provinces to help more than 4,000 children orphaned by the pandemic and new-born babies of COVID-19-affected mothers.

Vietnam has also promoted cashless payment, and allowed flexible transfer of patients and services between hospitals to ensure health safety.

The prompt delivery of support to workers disadvantaged due to COVID-19 reflects the State’s concern for workers affected by natural disasters and epidemics.

Labor market recovers

One factor ensuring social security is Vietnam’s effort to revive the labor market. In 2021, Vietnam created a program to restore and expand the labor market to keep the unemployment rate in urban areas below 4% and in rural areas below 2%. The program helps localities with economic, industrial, and high-tech zones resume their operation and get their workers back to work.

To create jobs, stabilize incomes, and improve labor quality, the program on labor market recovery and development promotes safe production models, builds efficient data systems linking labor supply and demand, and helps employers obtain preferential loans to pay their workers. Businesses also receive credit support from the National Fund for Employment to create jobs, recruit employees, and export workers.

Achievements in social security in 2021 and support for people during the pandemic reflect Vietnam’s determination to guarantee fundamental rights under the 1948 Universal Declaration on Human Rights.