Ho Chi Minh City launches support package in July

Ho Chi Minh City residents will receive the second COVID-19 support package

On July 5, the People's Committee of Ho Chi Minh City held a press conference on the implementation of the city's second support package for people affected by the COVID-19 pandemic, under Resolution 09/2021/NQ-HDND of the People's Council.

Speaking at the press conference, Vo Van Hoan, Vice Chairman of Ho Chi Minh City People's Committee pointed out that the package will be disbursed much faster than the earlier package. He said that the support package demonstrates the responsibility of the Ho Chi Minh City government to help people overcome the difficulties of the COVID-19 pandemic.

The package will be implemented in July 2021 and end in August 2021. Applications will be evaluated and approved and payment made within seven days of receiving them.Unsuccessful applications will also receive a notice.

Payments will be made to the bank accounts of employees, business household owners, and traders at traditional markets. In case people do not have an account, they will receive cash.

Those eligible for support from the VND886 billion ($38.7 million) package include employees at enterprises, business establishments, and educational institutions affected by the pandemic.

Accordingly, about 80,000 employees who had to temporarily suspend the performance of labour contracts or had to take unpaid leave will receive support of VND1.8 million ($78.62) a person.

Besides, about 20,000 employees whose labour contracts have been terminated between May 1 and December 31, 2021 but are not eligible for unemployment benefits will receive the same level of support.

In addition, Ho Chi Minh City provides an additional VND1 million ($) for pregnant workers, people raising children under six years old (VND1 million per child) or those supporting their father, mother, or the person directly raising them.

Employees who do not have a labour contract (freelance workers) but lost their jobs due to the COVID-19 pandemic will receive support of VND50,000 ($2.18) per day.

Business households that had to stop operating at the request of the City People's Committee to control the COVID-19 pandemic will receive VND2 million ($87.35) each.

In addition, nearly 60,000 stalls at traditional markets will receive VND150,000-300,000 ($6.52) a month.

Along with the support package under Resolution 09, Ho Chi Minh City also implements the VND26 trillion ($) support package under Resolution No.68/NQ-CP of the government.

This package will support workers and businesses facing difficulties due to the COVID-19 pandemic by reducing insurance premiums for occupational accidents and diseases, temporarily suspending contributions to the retirement and survivorship funds.

The resolution also supports employees whose employment contracts were suspended or terminated, those on unpaid leave, as well as pregnant women and those raising young children. In addition, the funds will also be used to purchase meals for F0 and F1 cases and business households.