Support policies effectively implemented for pandemic-hit workers: Minister

The strong surge in COVID-19 cases since April 27 has put enormous pressure on the economy and society, he said, citing the fact that employment rate reached 2.52%, with the services sector being the hardest hit. Some industries are shrinking further this year, such as travel, lodging service and transportation. About 70,000 enterprises in the economy have suspended operation or gone bankrupt.

The pandemic has also been attacking industrial parks and export processing zones where a large number of workers are employed, Dung continued. He stressed that Ho Chi Minh City, Hanoi and many other localities have imposed full or partial lockdown and social distancing measures with most services, business and production activities shut down, severely impacting livelihoods of millions of people.

He said in the face of such impacts, the Party and State have adopted various policies to aid affected employees and employers, for example, water and power bill discount, Value Added Tax (VAT) deferral, fee waiver, and emergency reliefs for workers and enterprises in need.

Some VND168.8 trillion (US$7.3 billion) has been provided to aid the affected, the minister said, adding that close to VND39 trillion of the VND62 billion support package has been used to help a total of 14.4 million people.

Financial support has also been promptly given to workers without contracts, particularly those living in cities and provinces practicing social distancing orders, he said.