More support for workers in distress, losing jobs due to COVID-19 in 2021

Unemployment benefit payments are carried out in parallel with unemployment prevention and helping workers return to the labor market. (Photo: Vietnam+)

Hanoi (VNA) – In the context of the increasingly complicated COVID-19 pandemic, 2021 will probably be a difficult and challenging year for the Ministry of Labour, Invalids and Social Affairs in job creation, labor market development, poverty reduction and social security assurance.

Deputy Minister of Labour, Invalids and Social Affairs Le Van Thanh has granted an interview to Vietnamplus, talking about plans to implement new policies and regulations this year.

"Make sure everyone can enjoy Lunar New Year festival"

- Could you please tell us how the activities to take care of and prepare for Lunar New Year (Tet) holiday for social beneficiaries are being carried out?

Deputy Minister Le Van Thanh: The Ministry of Labour, Invalids and Social Affairs has issued Directive No. 01/CT-LDTBXH on the organisation of the 2021 Lunar New Year, year of the Buffalo.

The ministry has directed agencies and units under it to coordinate with localities to visit, take care of, encourage and provide support for the beneficiaries of social policies. We have also directed localities to actively develop plans to visit, present gifts and support the poor during Tet, mobilizing organisations and individuals and allocating local budgets to care for the poor and disadvantaged people, ensuring that everyone has a happy and healthy Tet holiday.

- The Government has agreed to promulgate the poverty line for the period of 2021-2025. 2021  is the first year of a new phase. What difficulties, challenges and opportunities does the transformation of the new poverty criterion pose in the sustainable and effective implementation of hunger eradication and poverty reduction policies?

Deputy Minister Le Van Thanh: The new poverty line increases the rate of poor households at the beginning of the period because the minimum standard of living of the population in the latter period is higher than in the previous period. Therefore, the new poverty line will increase resources allocated from the state budget to implement poverty reduction policies in the early years.

The new poverty line helps identify objects more clearly and accurately. (Photo: VNA)

The transition from single-dimensional to multi-dimensional poverty measurement leads to the need for policy revision to support the poor to raise their incomes and access basic social services.

Besides the above challenges, the implementation of the multidimensional poverty line also brings new opportunities in the sustainable and effective implementation of poverty reduction policies. The new poverty line helps us identify beneficiaries more clearly and accurately.

- 2021 is also the year the new Labour Law comes into effect. How do you evaluate the improvements in the new law in bringing benefits to both employees and employers?

Deputy Minister Le Van Thanh: It can be said that this is a fundamental and comprehensive amendment and supplement, creating a particularly important mark in the labour law in particular and the law of Vietnam in general.

The law is one of the important conditions for Vietnamese businesses to access international markets more conveniently in the context of globalisation and create more jobs for workers.

Deputy Minister of Labour, Invalids and Social Affairs Le Van Thanh (Photo: VNA)

Supporting the right people in difficulty due to COVID-19

- The COVID-19 pandemic is forecasted to cause difficulties for workers and businesses in 2021. How will the ministry continue to implement support employees and businesses?

Deputy Minister Le Van Thanh: The Ministry of Labour, Invalids and Social Affairs will continue to coordinate with relevant ministries, agencies and localities to implement the Government's support package to the right subjects and propose solutions to remove difficulties, support production and business, ensure social stability.

In addition, the ministry will continue to promote reform and reform of institutions, simplify administrative procedures, contributing to creating a favorable business environment, actively research and propose policies to support the maintenance, restoration and development of production and ensure social security.

- Thank you very much, Deputy Minister!