The multi-dimensional approach will be based on people’s income, living conditions and access to education and training, health care, employment and social insurance, and information (Illustrative photo:VNA)
HCM City (VNA) – Ho Chi Minh City will conduct a poverty survey from March 10 to April 29 using the newly-adopted multi-dimensional measurement.
Deputy Director of the municipal Labour, Invalids and Social Affairs Nguyen Van Xe said a pilot survey using the measurement was carried out in four wards and communes of districts 6, 11, Tan Phu and Binh Chanh in 2015.
This census will cover 322 wards, communes and towns of all the 24 districts. The four surveyed localities will undergo additional examination to finalise the list of poverty-stricken households.
He added that households who perceive themselves as impoverished will fill in livelihood declaration forms. Information in the forms will be sorted, publicised for public feedback and corrected by April 29.
The multi-dimensional approach, taking effect from January 1, 2016, will not only be based on people’s income but also on their living conditions and access to education and training, health care, employment and social insurance, and information.
Xe said under the new measurement, the city is expected to have 130,000 households under the poverty line and 80,000 others close to the line.
In terms of income, HCM City defines a person with an annual income of 21 million VND (941.85 USD) and below as low-income earners, while those earning over 21 million VND to 28 million VND (nearly 1,256 USD) per year are classified as near-poor.
There are five other social dimensions that will be measured through 11 indexes totaling 100 points.
The city divides local poor households into three groups, the official noted, delineating that group 1 includes families which have an annual per capita income of 21 million VND or lower and lack at least 40 points in social criteria.
Group 2 comprises those that have an annual per capita income of 21 million VND or lower and lack a maximum of 35 points in social criteria. Group 3 includes households with an annual per capita income of over 21 million VND and a shortage of at least 40 points in other social criteria.
The new method will help authorised agencies evaluate residents’ inaccessibility to basic social necessities, and thus devise concrete measures to improve their access, Xe added.-VNA
