Employees, employers able to access US$1.13 billion support package from July 8

This information was released by Minister of Labour, Invalids and Social Affairs Dao Ngoc Dung at a July 7 press conference announcing the Prime Minister’s Decision on the implementing some policies to support pandemic-hit employees and employers.

The decision provides detailed guidance on conditions and procedures implementing 10 supporting policies under the Government’s Resolution No 68 on a number of policies to support pandemic-hit employees and employers.

The resolution was issued in the context of the fourth outbreak of the COVID-19 pandemic on a large scale, affecting many industries and fields.

Minister Dung emphasised that the support solutions this time focus mainly on the group of workers in industrial zones and export processing zones.

In this document, some basic principles are set out, such as ensuring timely support, to the right people, publicity and transparency, simple and easy criteria and procedures for employees and employers to access, he said.

Some policies can be mentioned such as reducing the contribution to the insurance fund for occupational accidents and diseases, suspend the payment of retirement and survivorship funds, use unemployment insurance funds to support vocational training and job changes; support to employees with their labour contracts temporarily terminated; and additional support and assistance to children.

In addition, the Resolution supports employees who suspended labour contracts or took unpaid leave from May 1, 2021 to December 31, 2021 but were participating in compulsory insurance with the support level of VND1.8-3.7 million (US$78-160) per month depending on their work delay period.

Employees who work under labour contracts but have been suspended from work due to medical quarantine or in lockdown areas, will receive one-time support of VND1 million (US$43) per person.

In addition, tour guides who are suspended from work will enjoy one-time support of VND3.7 million (US$160).

Pregnant employees are provided an additional VND1 million (US$43) per person.

Children who have to be treated for COVID-19 or under medical quarantine will be covered with support of VND1 million (US$43) per child.

Meanwhile, companies will get loans to pay for workers during suspended time and for production recovery, while freelancers and a number of other cases will also receive support.

Dung said that Resolution 68 also promulgated policies to support businesses to borrow money for wages and to restore production and business.