Workers' difficulties need attention

When workers have problems - whether they relate to employment or life in general - the issues must be resolved in a timely manner, said Prime Minister Nguyen Tan Dung.

Addressing the meeting yesterday with the Viet Nam General Confederation of Labour, Dung hailed the many great contributions to the country’s 2012 socio-economic development by workers and trade unions of all levels.

Addressing the meeting yesterday with the Viet Nam General Confederation of Labour, Prime Minister Nguyen Tan Dung hailed the many great contributions to the country’s 2012 socio-economic development by workers and trade unions of all levels.

The coordination between the Government and the confederation last year was very close and effective, Dung noted, and it should be further strengthened in 2013.

He cited the considerable reduction of labour disputes and strikes (down 44 percent against 2011) as proof of the smooth coordination between the two sides.

The PM and leaders of ministries and agencies also voiced their opinions on proposals by the confederation, which focused on workers, trade unions, labour safety and hygiene, as well as providing workers in industrial zones with cultural experiences.

Prime Minister meets with Swedish Minister for Justice

Prime Minister Nguyen Tan Dung on February 27 received Swedish Minister for Justice Beatrice Ask, who is paying a working visit to Vietnam.

At the reception, Dung spoke highly of the outcomes of his guest’s talks with Public Security Minister Tran Dai Quang and appreciated her visit to Vietnam as a practical contribution to bolstering the multifaceted ties between the two countries.

Emphasising the fine development of the two sides’ relations in all fields, Dung affirmed that Vietnam will do its best together with Sweden to bring the two nations’ ties to a new height, especially in the fields of trade and investment, ODA, justice, and crime prevention.

The PM also asked Sweden to assist Vietnam in training staff and providing technical equipment for crime prevention, as well as continue creating favourable conditions for the Vietnamese community in Sweden .

Minister Ask informed the PM of the signing of a cooperation agreement on crime prevention during her talks with Minister Quang. Ask affirmed the Swedish Ministry of Justice’s pledge to cooperate with Vietnam’s Public Security Ministry along with relevant agencies to effectively implement the fields of cooperation the two sides had agreed upon.

PM says no to retail petrol price rise

Prime Minister Nguyen Tan Dung on February 26 decided to use the Price Stabilisation Fund and other financial measures to keep the domestic petrol price stable in the wake of the global fuel hikes.

He also instructed relevant authorities to closely monitor petrol prices both on domestic and global markets to ensure they can recommend suitable measures for stabilising the macro-economy, controlling inflation and safeguarding market prices.

Following the move, the Ministry of Finance on February 27 decided to allow domestic petrol retailers to receive money from the Price Stabilisation Fund in a move to keep domestic petrol prices stable despite global changes.

Accordingly, petrol retailers will get 2,000 VND per litre against the current 1,000 VND from Price Stabilisation Fund.

Previously, petrol companies asked the Ministry of Finance for a price increase, saying they were suffering losses due to the global price hike.

According to the Ministry of Finance, Vietnamese petrol prices are currently around 2,000 VND per litre lower than that of China, 4,000 VND lower than Laos and 5,300 VND lower than Cambodia.

Commander of Brunei Armed Forces visits Vietnam

Commander of Royal Brunei Armed Forces, Major General Dato Paduka Seri Haji Aminuddin Ihsan began a three-day official visit to Vietnam on February 26 at the invitation of Senior Lieutenant General Do Ba Ty, Chief of the General Staff of the Vietnam People’s Army.

At talks held between Senior Lieutenant General Do Ba Ty and Major General Dato Paduka Seri Haji Aminuddin Ihsan, the two sides briefed each other on the outcomes of their past cooperation, reaching consensus on the 2013 cooperation plan.

Accordingly, the two sides will continue exchanging high-ranking delegations and officer training as well as discuss issues of common concern, thus strengthening solidarity and mutual understanding between the two peoples and armies for the sake of peace, cooperation and friendship.

On the same day, the delegation of the Royal Brunei Armed Forces attended a courtesy meeting with Vietnamese Minister of National Defence, General Phung Quang Thanh.

Catholic solidarity committee holds plenary meeting

The Committee for Solidarity of Vietnamese Catholics (CSVC) held its 4th plenary meeting in Ho Chi Minh City on February 27 to review its work in 2012 operations and approve a plan of action in 2013.

The CSVC President, Priest Nguyen Cong Danh, said the meeting discussed important issues relating to the organisation of the 6th Congress of Vietnamese Catholic representatives actively involved in the process of national construction and defence to collect opinions on draft amendments to the 1992 Constitution.

In 2013, the CSVC will continue encouraging the Catholic community to participate in social and charity work to support the elderly, children with disabilities in disaster areas and promote the building of new rural areas.

Last year, the committee made practical contributions to the country’s socio-economic development, poverty reduction and hunger elimination.

Catholic dignitaries and followers nationwide raised tens of billions of Vietnamese dongs to charitable programmes to provide free heath-checkups and to build bridges in rural areas.

VNN/VOV/VNS/VNA