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Illustrative image (Photo: VNA) |
Speaking at a thematic conference held by the Party Committee of the bloc of central agencies in Hanoi on September 15, Deputy Minister of Labour, Invalids and Social Affairs Le Van Thanh underlined the severe impacts of the pandemic on production and business activities in most industries and sectors. A large number of enterprises had to suspend operation or dissolve in the past months, seriously affecting the labour market.
He also cited figures of the General Statistics Office, which showed 17.6 million labourers suffered from reduction of income, with average income in the second quarter standing at 5.2 million VND (over 223 USD), down 525,000 VND from the first quarter and 279,000 VND from the same period last year.
Deputy Minister Thanh stressed that considering the current situation and forecasts on pandemic developments and socio-economic conditions, tasks and solutions should be developed based on the principle of being ready to co-exist with the pandemic.
According to Thanh, solutions in terms of labour, employment and social security from now to the end of the year should address two goals at the same time, which are to help labourers overcome the current difficulties and create firm prerequisites for production and business activities in the long run.
He said there are two main groups of solutions, which are short-term and long-term ones, but both groups should be implemented at the same time.
Besides providing immediate support to labourers and enterprises, it is important to prevent social inequality from arising or worsening due to the COVID-19 pandemic, Thanh said./.VNA
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Higher unemployment rate: the dark side of the economy
More businesses have had to suspend their operations or shut down, bringing about a high unemployment rate.
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Businesses in distress, unemployment rate on the rise
Thousands of businesses have suspended their operation or filed for dissolution because of Covid-19, causing tens of thousands of workers to become redundant.