As of September 7, Deputy Minister of Labor, Invalids, and Social Affairs, Nguyen Van Hoi, reported that the facility, which was licensed by the local authorities, is implicated in serious violations.

The shelter, which was authorized to care for 35 children, was found to be housing 86 children, exceeding its licensed capacity by over 100%. Following the discovery of these issues, the shelter’s license has been revoked, and two staff members have been detained for further investigation.

The affected children have been relocated to three public social welfare facilities where they are receiving proper care. Two of the children have been reunited with their families.

Hoi highlighted that the Hoa Hong Shelter was not an unauthorized facility but had been granted operational permission by District 12. However, the facility’s management failed to comply with the legal requirements regarding capacity and care standards.

The investigation has revealed that five caregivers at the shelter were involved in abusive practices. At the time of the inspection, the police were able to question only two of the caregivers, with three others being brought in for questioning by authorities from Ho Chi Minh City and surrounding provinces.

The Ministry of Labor, Invalids, and Social Affairs (MoLISA) is taking measures to enhance oversight and prevent similar incidents in the future. The ministry is urging local authorities and relevant agencies to increase inspections and ensure compliance with regulations.

In light of the incident, MoLISA will also advocate for the use of technology to monitor child care facilities continuously and enforce compliance with legal standards, including those outlined in the newly issued Government Decree No. 110 on social work and charitable activities.

Hoi emphasized that while the government supports charitable efforts, it is crucial for all such activities to adhere to proper procedures and regulations to avoid exploitation and abuse.

Tran Thuong