Timely support for affected members and employees

Timely support for affected members and employees. Photo: moh.gov.vn

Last week, the Vietnam General Confederation of Labour (VGCL) decided to urgently support union members and employees affected by the latest outbreak of the pandemic, which began on April 27.

Union members and employees in the area with labour relations (including enterprises and units without a trade union) who are F0 and receiving treatment for the coronavirus and do not violate law provisions on pandemic prevention will be assisted with VND3 million ($130) per person.

Union members and employees who are F1 must undergo medical isolation for 21 days at a concentrated isolation facility and if not violating the law will receive VND1.5 million ($65).

In addition, the VGCL also supports union members and employees who have to self-isolate at home in accordance to the request of local authorities and are in difficult circumstances; pregnant female employees; employees taking care of children under 6 years old; and union members and employees forced to leave their jobs due to residing in blocked areas. They will be supported with VND500,000 ($22) each.

Meanwhile, in a recent document that the Vietnam Association of Supporting Industry (VASI) sent to the government, businesses in supporting industries have requested to be listed in the priority group for vaccination due to the high risk of COVID-19 infection.

VASI chairman Le Duong Quang said that these businesses are ready to pay for the vaccination if the government approves. “Our only desire is that the government speeds up vaccination and prioritise employees in production factories,” he said.

Businesses in industrial zones contain a big risk of being infected by the coronavirus, leading to a halt of production activities as well as impacting supply chains of multinational corporations in Vietnam and over the globe.

Furthermore, textile and garment businesses that employ a huge number of workers have also asked to be vaccinated early.

Vu Duc Giang, chairman of the Vietnam Textile and Apparel Association said, “Prioritising vaccinations for businesses with a large number of employees will accelerate the process of herd immunity through vaccination, and stabilise production of businesses and the economy.”

In order to protect citizens, 80 per cent of Vietnam’s population will eventually be required to be vaccinated at an estimated cost of VND25.2 trillion ($1.1 billion). However, at present only 11 groups of people are prioritised for vaccination such as those directly involved in pandemic prevention, diplomatic staff, immigration officers, the military, police, and teachers. As a result, the Ministry of Finance has submitted to the government plans to establish a COVID-19 vaccine fund.