Deputy Minister of Labour, Invalids and Social Affairs Nguyen Van Hoi on January 8 stated that at the beginning of this year, the ministry issued a directive requesting reports on the distribution of rice and proposals for rice aid during the 2025 Lunar New Year (Tet) and the lean season as an effort to ensure social welfare during the Tet festival, and ensure no one is left behind.
Addressing a regular Government press conference, Hoi urged local authorities to count households facing food shortages during these periods, and proactively allocate local budgets and mobilise other lawful resources to provide timely support to those affected by food insecurity, natural disasters, floods, epidemics, and other force majeure events.
In cases where local budgets cannot be balanced or allocated, provinces are instructed to submit official requests to the Ministry of Finance and the Ministry of Labour, Invalids, and Social Affairs (MoLISA) for making rice relief proposals to the Prime Minister for approval.
According to the official, as of January 8, 11 provinces had submitted requests to the two ministries for rice aid, totalling nearly 7.6 million tonnes, to support over 506,200 individuals.
Regarding labourers’ wages, the deputy minister stated that the average monthly salary in 2024 was estimated to reach 8.88 million VND (350 USD), a 4% increase compared to 2023.
The average bonus for the New Year 2025 was 1.46 million VND per person, equal to 79% of that of the previous year, while that for the Lunar New Year is 7.72 million VND, up 13% year-on-year./.
VNA
