(VOVWORLD) - The Vietnamese government, ministries and sectors have carried out various solutions to obtain this year’s socio-economic development goals. In addition to economic solutions, caring for employees’ lives is a major task to ensure a stable, skilled labor force for the economy.
 The 2nd meeting of the National Salary Council (Photo: baochinhphu.vn) |
At the government’s regular meeting on April 4, Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh stressed the importance of building an independent and self-reliant economy that is not heavily influenced by outside factors while continuing to integrate deeply, substantively, and effectively in the world. In this process, it is essential to rely on internal strength, including human factors.
Social security coverage
Ministries and sectors have adopted new policies to benefit employees. At the 2nd meeting of the National Salary Council on Tuesday, the Council agreed to submit to the government for consideration an increase in the regional minimum wage by 6% from July 1, 2022. It is viewed as essential for the improvement the quality of life for employees.
Ngo Duy Hieu, Vice Chairman of Vietnam General Confederation of Labor and Vice Chairman of National Salary Council, said: “More than ever, it’s time to unite to overcome difficulties to generate stable jobs and develop businesses. We have always encouraged businesses to negotiate with workers and raise their salaries.”
Ministry of Labor, Invalids and Social Affairs, Vietnam General Confederation of Labor, Vietnam Social Security, Vietnam Federation of Trade and Industry, and Vietnam Association of Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs) signed a cooperation program to support employees and employers and develop the labor market.
The new incentives will focus on labor supply and demand, generate better working conditions, and increase the proportion of workers in the age group participating in social insurance to 45% by 2025 and 60% by 2030.
At the end of March the Prime Minister signed a decision to pay three months of residential rent for about 3.4 million social insurance holders.
Vu Trong Binh, Director of the Employment Department of the Ministry of Labor, Invalids and Social Affairs, said: “The Prime Minister’s decision to help employees is very important to recover the labor market in the meantime. Those who are working will feel secure to continue their work in at least three months. For workers who have not yet returned to the labor market and are still in their hometown, they can safely return to work and receive at least three months of rent support. This policy aims to bring people back to work and focuses on key economic localities, export processing zones, and national economic hubs.”
Labor market’s positive signals
The General Statistics Office reports that in the first quarter, the labor force, the number of employed people, and the average monthly income of Vietnamese workers increased compared to the previous quarter and the same period last year. Unemployment and labor shortage in working age population decreased compared to the previous quarter. The Government's determination to accelerate socio-economic recovery and development in the first quarter has resulted in a number of people returning to the labor market.
Minister of Labor, Invalids and Social Affairs Dao Ngoc Dung said: “So far we have stabilized the labor market. Vietnam is recognized as one of the countries with most rapid labor market recovery. Previously we had forecast a recovery by the 2nd quarter, but we have achieved this goal in the first quarter. I believe we will continue to create new changes.”