Viet Nam News Thu Hà – Mai Hiên HÀ NỘI — A controversial rule requiring foreign workers in Việt Nam to make social insurance payments is likely to be put into practice soon, several months after the Government’s issuance of a decree to implement the new provision of the Law on Social Insurance 2014, which came into effect on January 1 this year. The chorus of varied and strong opinions from the business community and related ministries and sectors has delayed the issuance. However, Trần HảiNam, deputy head of the Department for Social Insurance under the Ministry of Labour, Invalids and Social Affairs (MoLISA), said a draft decree had been sent to the Government, after getting the nod from the National Assembly Standing Committee in mid-March. Nam said the draft is expected to be ratified in about a month. The draft decree is expected to narrow the number of foreigners affected by the compulsory social insurance … [Read more...] about Compulsory social insurance for expats to go ahead despite firms’ concerns
Social insurance numbers
NA debates changes to social insurance
Labourers who are ineligible for retirement pensions because they have not made compulsory social insurance payments for the required amount of years may choose to get a one-off lump sum or continue to receive monthly payments if a Government proposal gets approval from the National Assembly later this month. Minister of Labour, Invalids and Social Affairs Pham Thi Hai Chuyen made the proposal after presenting a Government report on Article 60 of the 2014 Law on Social Insurance at the ongoing 9th session of the 13th National Assembly in Hanoi on May 21. According to the report, the Government asked for modifications to the article to create a flexible policy on social insurance, meeting the wishes of many labourers. The regulation would also be applied to voluntary social insurance payers. Chuyen said that the 2014 Law on Social Insurance had additional regulations to create favourable conditions for labourers to pay insurance so that they could receive monthly pension payments … [Read more...] about NA debates changes to social insurance
Govât defends national social insurance scheme
The National Assembly's Social Affairs Committee deputy chairman Bui Si Loi spoke with the Thoi bao Ngan hang (Banking Times) about the Government's guarantee for the social insurance fund. * Do you think there is a risk that the social insurance fund will break down? The social insurance fund is a long-term policy. At the moment, there is inequality between social insurance fees and pay levels. This means that people receive a lot of benefits while social insurance fees are very low. During the implementation process, it is true that the fund can break down, even in developed countries. In Vietnam, policies will be adjusted in order to minimise this risk. The Social Insurance Law will be revised in efforts to prevent future breakdowns. Despite many difficulties, the Government will guarantee the Social Insurance Fund's continued existence and development. * What measures are being taken to address the problem? There are many ways to handle the problem. First, the fee (premium) … [Read more...] about Govât defends national social insurance scheme
Nhandan Newspaper – Deputy PM Dam urges radical changes to increase social insurance coverage
The government official was speaking during an international workshop on "Extending Social Security Coverage—International Experiences and Recommendations for Vietnam," held jointly by the Ministry of Labour, Invalids and Social Affairs (MOLISA) and the International Labour Organisation (ILO) in Hanoi yesterday. According to reports by MOLISA, by the end of 2016, more than 13 million Vietnamese people are participating in social insurance, accounting for about 28% of the labour force. Every year, about 4-5 million people are entitled to short-term social insurance and about 150,000 people enjoy long-term social security. However, the coverage of social insurance in Vietnam is still low compared to other countries around the world. Many workers have not been involved in social security and have not been protected against risks in their work, such as illness, labour accidents and unemployment. Along with that, the domestic social insurance system is not diversified and flexible, so … [Read more...] about Nhandan Newspaper – Deputy PM Dam urges radical changes to increase social insurance coverage
EuroCham voices concern over new social insurance rule – EuroCham voices concern over new social insurance rule
EuroCham voices concern over new social insurance rule Thuy Dung HANOI â Foreign nationals working in Vietnam will be subject to a new statutory social insurance regulation early next year, something which has sparked concern among European enterprises in the country. European firms said this rule may lead to the double taxation of social insurance for non-Vietnamese employees. In accordance with the Law on Social Insurance, which went into force early last year but will not cover foreign nationals working in Vietnam until early 2018, foreign workers in Vietnam with a work permit, or a practice certificate or license will have to contribute social insurance. But there are no specific guidelines for none-Vietnamese employees such as those signing a labor contract with a legal entity in Vietnam or being assigned to work in Vietnam on an assignment as well as for benefit entitlement for cases where foreign nationals terminate their assignment and go back to their home countries. … [Read more...] about EuroCham voices concern over new social insurance rule – EuroCham voices concern over new social insurance rule
EuroCham voices concern over new social insurance rule
In accordance with the Law on Social Insurance, which went into force early last year but will not cover foreign nationals working in Vietnam until early 2018, foreign workers in Vietnam with a work permit, or a practice certificate or license will have to contribute social insurance. But there are no specific guidelines for none-Vietnamese employees such as those signing a labor contract with a legal entity in Vietnam or being assigned to work in Vietnam on an assignment as well as for benefit entitlement for cases where foreign nationals terminate their assignment and go back to their home countries. “More comprehensive regulation would be recommended,” the European Chamber of Commerce in Vietnam (EuroCham) said. In practice, a certain number of foreign nationals who come to Vietnam for an assignment still maintain social security in their home countries or enter a voluntary healthcare program. For such cases, statutory social and health insurance will result in … [Read more...] about EuroCham voices concern over new social insurance rule
Firms ignore social insurance obligations
An employee of the Vinatex Group is examined and treated under insurance at the group's Textile and Garment Hospital. A number of enterprises are choosing profits over paying worker benefits. — VNA/VNS Photo Tran Viet THANH HOA — Most enterprises in the central province of Thanh Hoa have failed to pay various types of insurance for their workers, according to the provincial Social Insurance Agency. As many as 79 per cent of the province's enterprises had failed to make insurance payments for workers since the beginning of the year, said Do Hoa, manager of the collection division at Thanh Hoa Social Insurance. Hoa said both small and large companies had been neglecting workers insurance payments, with big businesses such as Thanh Hoa Shipping Industry Company owing nearly VND2 billion (US$105,260) in workers insurance payments. Other insurance laggards included the Viglacera Bim Son Joint-stock Company, which owes VND1.5 billion ($78,940), and the K2 Joint-stock Company, … [Read more...] about Firms ignore social insurance obligations
Social Headlines December 19
Disabled people benefit from German project More than 2,000 people with disabilities and their families in the central province of Quang Tri have profited from a German-funded rehabilitation project over the past 13 years. The figure was announced at a meeting to review the implementation of the community-based project (from January 2001 to December 2013) on December 16 and 17. Financed by the German Caritas Association, it has taught physical therapy to local medical staff and families of disabled people in Cam Lo and Gio Linh districts and Dong Ha city. So far, 55 training courses have been offered with the participation of 3,568 people. The project has also loaned over 3.6 billion VND (171,400 USD) to 1,087 households with disabled people to improve their livelihoods. At the meeting, participants shared their opinions on how to enhance the project’s effectiveness and sustainability, such as raising the credit fund and loan term, increasing training and the number of local … [Read more...] about Social Headlines December 19
Social Highlights for October 26
All cosmetic surgery centers in country under inspection Deputy Minister of Health Nguyen Thi Xuyen in coordination with related agencies sent a document to municipal and provincial administrators in the country to conduct thorough inspections on all plastic surgery centers. Inspections should focus on skills, treatment methodologies, surgery procedures, rights and responsibilities of client and cosmetic surgeons, and operation license as per the country's law. Inspectors must issue proper penalties on centers which offer illegal cosmetic surgery services to earn profits. The Department of Health in Hanoi has publicized list of 33 beauty parlors and three hospitals that are licensed legally to offer cosmetic surgery services. However, the department noticed that beauty parlors can only provide simple cosmetic surgery services such as 'double eyelid' surgery or eyebrow tattoo, while complicated surgeries such as abdominal liposuction and breast lift surgery must be performed in … [Read more...] about Social Highlights for October 26
Social News 9/10
VWS proposes taking less waste for treatment Vietnam Waste Solutions (VWS), facing strong public criticisms over a foul smell from its waste management facility in southern HCMC, has written to the HCMC government proposing taking less waste for treatment from next week. The company said in a document sent to the city government on Wednesday that from October 10, it would scale down the daily volume of garbage it receives from the current 5,000 tons to 3,000 tons, which was exactly the amount its Da Phuoc integrated waste management facility handled a day before the city government allowed it to manage an additional 2,000 tons in November 2014. This 2,000-ton volume was transferred from Phuoc Hiep waste treatment complex in the outlying district of Cu Chi. According to VWS, this is a necessary step to reduce the volume of waste it treats amid public criticisms over the spread of the odor from Da Phuoc. The recent heavy downpours, especially on September 26 and 27, have caused leachate … [Read more...] about Social News 9/10