Over 98 percent of financial aid delivered to pandemic-hit workers

As of November 5, more than 21.851 trillion VND (965.5 million USD) of the almost 22.29 trillion VND, equivalent to 98 percent of the approved amount, in financial support has been delivered to over 9.1 million out of nearly 9.4 million pandemic-hit workers applying for help, according to the Ministry of Labour, Invalids and Social Affairs ( MoLISA ).

MoLISA Deputy Minister Nguyen Ba Hoan released the information at the press conference following the Government's regular October meeting on November 6.

Detailing the aid disbursement for workers and employers affected by the COVID-19 pandemic, he said relevant agencies have decided to delay or reduce the insurance contribution by 363,600 establishments with 9.68 million workers.

Their insurance contribution will be cut down by about 9.595 trillion VND between October this year and September 2022.

The COVID-19 pandemic affected 9.1 million workers aged 15 and above in the first quarter (Q1), 12.8 million in Q2, and 28.2 million in Q3. In Q3 alone, 4.7 million people lost their jobs, 14.7 million had to suspend production or business activities, 12 million suffered from working hour cuts or furlough, and 18.9 million earned less income, according to the official.

Deputy Minister of Labour, Invalids and Social Affairs Le Ba Hoan speaks at the press conference on November 6 (Photo: VNA)

He added the number of people with jobs in Q3 was 47.2 million, down nearly 2.6 million from Q2 and 2.7 million from the same period last year, which was also the lowest figure in many years.

The monthly per capita income dropped to 5.2 million VND in Q3, down 877,000 VND from the previous quarter and 603,000 VND year on year. There was a labour shift from urban to rural areas and from big economic centres to provinces.

The restriction of worker flows among localities has led to a risk of labour shortages in certain regions and industries once economic activities are resumed, Hoan pointed out.

He added to prepare a sufficient workforce for production and business resumption, the Government will increase measures ensuring social security for workers, assist them to return to work, and boost connecting labour supply and demand.