Deputy Prime Minister Vu Duc Dam (R) and ISSA Secretary-General Marcelo Abi-Ramia Caetano at the meeting in Hanoi on February 20 (Photo: VNA) Hanoi (VNA) – Deputy Prime Minister Vu Duc Dam received a delegation of the International Social Security Association (ISSA) led by its Secretary-General Marcelo Abi-Ramia Caetano in Hanoi on February 20.
The host said the Vietnam Social Security (VSS) became an ISSA member in 2015, and it is the official and only representative of the country at this association. The VSS has always taken an active part in the ISSA activities while working to connect the association with the ASEAN Social Security Association when it held the ASEAN organisation’s presidency in 2018-2019.
Stressing the importance of a social security network, he noted that Vietnam has 54 ethnic groups, including those with very small populations. Therefore, aside from applying the world’s common rules on insurance and social security, the country has implemented particular policies for those groups. Specific policies have also been carried out for war victims, especially those of Agent Orange/dioxin.
The Deputy PM spoke highly of the VSS’s role, highlighting that over the past decade, the social insurance coverage in the country has been expanded from 60 percent to over 90 percent. Vietnam is also planning to make strong changes in the field of social insurance, an important task of the VSS for the time ahead.
A member of ASEAN, Vietnam has paid heed to social security issues in its cooperation with other member countries, and during its ASEAN chairmanship this year, it will continue including social security and insurance cooperation matters in the bloc’s agenda, Dam said.
He expressed his hope that the ISSA, the VSS and relevant agencies of Vietnam will enhance cooperation in technical assistance, personnel training, technology transfer and experience sharing, and boost international cooperation in the ASEAN Community.
This will help Vietnam’s social security system develop sustainably, professionally and effectively, the official added.
At the meeting, the ISSA Secretary-General spoke highly of Vietnam’s performance in social security issues, noting that the ultimate goal of both the country and the association is to improve people’s living standards and social welfare.
He said he hopes the ISSA and Vietnam will strengthen cooperation to help ensure social security in the country and promote its stature during its social security integration into the world./.
VNA
