PM Phuc pays pre-Tet visit to workers in Hai Phong

Prime Minister Nguyen Xuan Phuc talks to workers at Hoang Dieu Port in the northern port city of Hai Phong.- VNA/VNS Photo Thong Nhat

The PM said the Party and State always pay attention to policies to take better care of workers materially and spiritually.

He hailed the Vietnam General Confederation of Labour for caring for trade unionists and employees, especially those from disadvantaged backgrounds and families on social welfare.

Its programmes have helped workers in industrial and processing parks nationwide enjoy a warm Ttt holiday over the years, he noted.

Earlier the same day, PM Phuc had a working session with municipal authorities, during which he extolled the city for fulfilling their socio-economic development plans for 2018.

Specifically, Hai Phong led the country in gross regional domestic product (GRDP) growth, at 16.27 per cent, the highest level so far and 2.3 times the nation’s average (7.08 per cent).

The local economic structure had improved with the establishment of high-tech agricultural parks, while all communes in Hai Phong were recognised as new-style rural areas.

The city also led in industrial production, especially automobile manufacturing.

These outcomes have laid a foundation for Hai Phong to set higher targets and make stronger strides, PM Phuc said, suggesting the city promote social investment for further development.

On the same day, Deputy Prime Minister Vuong Dinh Hue visited and presented gifts to poor households and children living in Thung Nai and Bình Thanh communes, Cao Phong District in the northern province of Hoa Binh, for the Tet (Lunar New Year) festival.

In discussing the poor living conditions of disadvantaged households in the two communes, Huệ emphasised that the Party and State’s policy is to ensure all Vietnamese people can enjoy a warm Tet. Therefore, the Party, State, social organisations, and individual donors have paid particular attention to caring for those less fortunate during the Tetholidays.

Priority has been given to improving not only the material, but also spiritual life of people, especially those living in disadvantaged circumstances.

He added that the State is speeding up agricultural restructuring, new-style rural area building, production development, and job generation in rural areas, thus raising the living standards of local people.

The Deputy PM asked local Party organisations and authorities to continue supporting poor households and policy beneficiaries, and to encourage them to exert efforts to overcome their difficulties.

He presented 100 gifts worth VND1.3 million (US$56) each to poor households, and 300 gifts worth VND500,000 each to underprivileged students. Authorities from Hòa Bình Province also granted 100 presents worth VND1.3 million each to local poor families.

PM inspects combat readiness

Also on Wednesday, Prime Minister Nguyen Xuan Phuc inspected the combat readiness of the Naval High Command in the northern port city of Hai Phong.

In a teleconference linking Truong Sa Lon, Nam Yet, and Sinh Ton islands, he conveyed his New Year wishes to soldiers and locals living and working in the Truong Sa island district.

Talking with naval staff, the PM affirmed that the country’s socio-economic achievements in 2018 were partly attributable to the work of the Vietnam People’s Army, including the Navy.

He hailed the force for fulfilling tasks assigned by the Ministry of Defence’s Central Military Commission, conducting search and rescue operations, and supporting other forces and fishing vessels at sea.

The PM wished that the naval force would continue successfully performing the task of safeguarding national sovereignty, fostering internal solidarity, and accomplishing tasks assigned by the Party, State, army, and people in 2019.

They were also required to expand external defence relations and international co-operation, especially with ASEAN member states.