In the past two days, workers in the province are very happy with the news that the government has approved a policy to support rents for workers. Department of Labor, Invalids and Social Affairs is also coordinating with other units to carry out related tasks so that when receiving instructions to spend money from the Ministry of Labor, Invalids and Social Affairs, it is promoted immediately, not allowing people to lose money and workers have to wait for long.
Over the past few days, Binh Duong provincial People's Council's supervisory delegation has visited many communes and wards to review the implementation of policy of supporting packages for people in 2021 in order to ensure authenticity in the implementation and to prevent employees from being disadvantaged before the policy packages of the province and the government
Employee's happiness
On March 28, the Prime Minister signed Decision No. 08/2022-QD-TTg stipulating the implementation of the rent supporting policy for employees. According to the decision, employees who are working at enterprises or returning to the labor market will receive a support from VND 1.5 to 3 million per 3 months. Most of the employees are very happy and think that this is a significant support when the epidemic is still complicated plus the increase in petrol prices leading to the increase in the prices of basic necessities, nad making the employees feel better before many hard times.
Ms. Le Thi Ha, a native of Binh Phuoc province and a worker at Kim Xuong Shoe Company in Dai Dang Industrial Park, said: “I have just returned to Binh Duong to work after Tet. The amount supported this time is about 3 months' rents which is a very meaningful amount for my family right now. Before that, due to family circumstances, I quit my job at a business in the area 3 months ago. New workers like us can usually and only receive pay after the second month of work before receiving full salary and overtime allowances but the first month probationary salary, which is quite harsh for us."
Similarly, Ms. Nguyen Thai Hanh, a native of Tay Ninh province, working at Shyang Hung Cheng Co. Ltd. in Thuan An city, said: “Informed by the grassroots union, we know that the Ministry of Labor, Invalids and Social Affairs has proposed to the government to support the house rents after Tet, but we do not know for sure and anxiously wait. Yesterday, we were very happy to receive the official news of the support. No matter how much or little, each time we receive additional support, we will feel excited and motivated to work. Moreover, lately, the price of goods has increased, and it is very difficult for us – the workers."
Not only employees, even business leaders were also happy. Mr. Nguyen Van Dung, Chairman of the Trade Union of Tan Nhat Wood Company in Nam Tan Uyen Industrial Park excitedly said: "Although the business takes care of the workers quite well, there are still many families in difficult circumstances. At the beginning of the year, the time to return to work is not much and spending is expensive, making the life of many workers not completely stable. The support is quite large, partly showing the government's interest in workers. The list of employees we have prepared and we are waiting for the locality to notify the instructions to receive the money, the company will promote immediately, without wasting time of the workers."
Nearly 1 million workers helped
The matter that workers are concerned about is when they will receive the rent support, even though the decision has been made. Talking to us, Mr. Pham Van Tuyen, Deputy Director of Department of Labor, Invalids and Social Affairs, said that according to Decision No. 08/2022 of the government, self-employed workers are not eligible for the support. The Department also knows that workers working in factories, industrial parks and clusters are very anxious about receiving support, but they must wait for detailed instructions from the Ministry of Labor, Invalids and Social Affairs at that time to declare.
“In my opinion, this guidance will be available soon in the next few days, so that workers will not have to wait long. On the part of the Department, some basic steps have been prepared such as working with the provincial social insurance agency to make the initial list; Department of Finance to clear the budget; notices have been sent to enterprises, industrial parks and clusters to review the list of each employee; basic steps on support has been drafted to submit to the provincial People's Committee for approval. Therefore, when there are detailed instructions, the Department will quickly implement them in accordance with regulations and employees will soon receive the money."
Initial statistics shows that the province has 17,263 units with 911,206 employees participating in social insurance and receiving rent support this time. That is not including new workers who have not yet paid insurance but have enough time in the labor contract to receive the support. In addition, based on the list of insurance premiums, relevant agencies can quickly review the number of workers returning to the labor market to continue working.
Talking about the meaning of this support package, Mr. Pham Van Tuyen said: "This is a big support package of the government at the beginning of the year, showing timely attention to workers across the country right away and during the period of price escalation. Most workers in the area, including businesses, are very happy. Compared with the first 6 months of 2021, the number of employees participating in social insurance contributions in the area is about 100,000 workers short. The support package this time partly retains employees who are working, as well as encourages workers to return to the labor market in the coming days."
With the decision to support rent just approved by the Government and along with proposals to increase wages for employees in the coming time when working hours are increased plus taking care of employees from businesses and departments in the province, workers' lives will soon be more stable in the coming time.
Reported by Quang Tam – Translated by Vi Bao
