Minister of Labour, Invalids and Social Affairs (MoLISA) Dao Ngoc Dung on July 1 announced 12 groups of policies to support COVID-19-hit employees and employers, which are included in a resolution issued by the Government the same day.
Speaking at the Government’s regular press conference, Dung noted that the policies include reduction of premiums for labour accident and occupational disease insurance; postponement of contributions to the fund for retirement and death benefits; support in training to maintain employment for labourers; assistance for labourers having their contracts suspended or unpaid leave; support to out-of-work labourers; support to employees with their labour contracts temperately terminated; and additional support and assistance to children.
Alongside, the policies also comprise financial support covering meals for COVID-19 patients under treatment and those undertaking quarantine, as well as one-off assistance to art directors, artists, painters, tour guides, and assistance to business households.
Meanwhile, companies will get loans to pay for workers during suspended time and for production recovery, while freelancers and a number of other cases will also receive support.
The minister said that total expenditure for these beneficiaries is estimated at about VND160 trillion (nearly US$7 billion).