For the past several years, social security has been paid little attention and the situation needs to be improved to ensure a sustainable socio-economic development, said experts at a meeting on social security in HCM City on May 8. Due to attaching much importance to economic growth, social security has been left behind, experts agreed at the event, which was held by the HCM City Union of Science and Technology Associations. Dr Pham Minh Tri, chairman of the HCM City Economic Science and Management Association, said, "The country now has 61 districts with a poor-household rate of over 50 percent. Therefore, we should see social welfare policies as important as economic stimulus solutions. And such policies should be adopted effectively." In the ongoing global economic turmoil, social security policies should target laid-off workers and poor people badly affected by increased prices of goods, he pointed out. "If social security policies were not carried out efficiently and if … [Read more...] about Experts discuss social welfare
Protecting social welfare
Migrant workers throughout Viet Nam lack social welfare
Migrant workers throughout Viet Nam lack social welfare (15-09-2008) Migrant workers listen to natal health care instructions at the Public Health Development Centre in Ha Noi. — VNA/VNS Photo Duong Ngoc HA NOI — A large number of migrant workers in Viet Nam are not benefiting from social welfare, according to Professor Dang Nguyen Anh. "More than 70 per cent of migrant workers don't have benefits of any form at their place of work. Most people don't have labour contracts and 99 per cent of them don't have social insurance or labour accident insurance," Anh said at a recent seminar on social security in Ha Noi. Anh, who works at the Viet Nam Institute of Social Science, said the increasing number of migrant workers and problems emerging from the current social security system were leading to a new group of poor people living in urban areas. Anh's research showed poverty, unstable incomes, price fluctuations, calamities and epidemics were all factors hastening the … [Read more...] about Migrant workers throughout Viet Nam lack social welfare
Relationship between economic growth and social welfare in sustainable development – major solutions for Vietnam
Relationship between economic growth and social welfare in sustainable development Previously, economic growth was associated with development, leading to a race to achieve greater Gross Domestic Product growth rates and higher per capita income at any cost. But people have realized that economic growth is only a necessary condition, not a sufficient condition, for development. In other words, attention should be paid not only to growth rates but also to the quality of growth, the way growth is achieved, who are the players, what mechanisms will take shape, and who will benefit from the growth. As resource-rich countries (oil, precious metals…) authorize transnational companies to explore, export, and share profits, their per capita income increases rapidly and may reach a very high level. But only a small number of upper class people enjoy the benefits. The majority of people remain poor because the economic growth does not affect the rest of the national economy. Foreign currencies … [Read more...] about Relationship between economic growth and social welfare in sustainable development – major solutions for Vietnam
Curbing inflation and ensuring social welfare needed
Controlling inflation and ensuring social welfare were top issues in focus in a group discussion at the ongoing seventh session of the 12th National Assembly in Hanoi on May 22. NA deputies discussed an appraisal report on socio-economic tasks and the State budget in 2009; plans for socio-economic development and the State budget in the first quarter of this year; and the final accounts for the 2008 budget. Thanks to joint efforts by the Party, State and people under NA supervision, Vietnam has overcome challenges to halt the economic slowdown, curb inflation, ensure social welfare, and maintain a relatively high economic growth rate. The economic growth rate reached 5.32 percent in 2009, higher than the NA target of 5.2 percent. Vietnam’s economy has seen positive changes in the past few months with an economic growth rate of 5.83 percent, nearly double the rate recorded in the first quarter of last year. Reducing trade deficit and State budget overspending The above … [Read more...] about Curbing inflation and ensuring social welfare needed
Social welfare policies to target poorest, most vulnerable people
Truong Thi Mai, chairwoman of the National Assembly Committee for Social Affairs, spoke to Thoi bao Kinh te Viet Nam (Vietnam Economic Times) about humanitarian activities for vulnerable people. What is your assessment of the current social welfare policy? The Government has set up specific goals to implement social welfare policies. In my opinion, however, it must show more interest in the issue and deal with focal points. In the face of existing difficulties, the social welfare network needs to be adjusted and consolidated, with focus given to job security, social and health insurance, and social protection policies. Due attention should be given to the poor and the most vulnerable. In the years to come, social welfare policies should be tailored to regions, with priority given to economically difficult provinces in mountain and remote areas. Viet Nam is expected to announce a ten-year social welfare strategy which is consistent with the country's socio-economic strategy by … [Read more...] about Social welfare policies to target poorest, most vulnerable people