National Assembly deputies discuss not passing Social Insurance Law at 7th session

May 28,c2 cúp 2024 - 08:05 Your browser does not support the audio element. Speaking at the session, NA deputy Nguyễn Lâm Thành, of the northern province of Thái Nguyên said that the National Assembly (NA) would consider passing the amended law at the eighth session, not now, because it was a challenging draft law, impacting many social groups.

NA deputy Nguyễn Lâm Thành, from the northern province of Thái Nguyên speaks at the session on Monday morning.— VNA/VNS Photo An Đăng

HÀ NỘI — National Assembly deputies on Monday suggested that the assembly should not pass the amended Law on Social Insurance at the seventh session of the 15th National Assembly.

Speaking at the session, NA deputy Nguyễn Lâm Thành, from the northern province of Thái Nguyên said that the National Assembly (NA) was advised to consider passing the amended law at the eighth session, not now, because it was a challenging draft law, impacting various social groups.

He also said that many issues had been raised in the verification report on the amended law and required careful consideration.

He added that considering the existing issues, it was prudent to continue studying and passing the law at the eighth session, rather than rushing through it in the seventh session.

Regarding the withdrawal of social insurance benefits in a lump sum, he pointed out that both of the two proposed options had their pros and cons.

“And it was uncertain whether the options will cause social repercussions when implemented,” he said.

Therefore, he proposed an option that ensures the rights of workers (allowing a one-time withdrawal of social insurance benefits) while still safeguarding the State's policy (limiting withdrawals) to ensure social welfare in the long run.

Specifically, under Group 1, comprising the destitute and those going abroad (to reside or work long term), were allowed a one-time withdrawal of social insurance benefits.

Group 2, comprising the remaining individuals, were only allowed to withdraw their actual contributions, which was 8 per cent, while the remaining 14 per cent was considered the responsibility of the State and enterprises, the employers, to ensure long-term social welfare.

He said if such regulations were issued, it would be clear, ensuring economic principles, contributions, sharing and social welfare objectives. The design would be more persuasive and ensure the achievement of the set goals.

The programme of the seventh session of the 15th National Assembly, held on Monday at the NA's House in Hà Nội, was chaired by National Assembly Chairman Trần Thanh Mẫn. The plenary session discussed issues regarding the draft amended Law on Social Insurance.

Vice Chairman of the National Assembly Nguyễn Khắc Định presided over the session.

Previously, NA deputy Ma Thị Thuý, from the northern mountainous province of Tuyên Quang, said that it needed a careful consideration and extensive feedback from the affected groups regarding the amendment of the law.

Thuý said that the law significantly impacted the lives of millions of workers, including those already deceased and their families.

Therefore, studying and considering the provisions of the draft amended law were particularly important for the NA, which was attracting attention from the people nationwide.

Through studying the draft amended law and reviewing reports, explanations, she generally agreed with many contents related to the law, raised by the NA’s Standing Committee.

She also suggested postponing the consideration and passing of the law to the eighth session to ensure cautiousness and a comprehensive evaluation of the new wage policy's impact on the law’s regulations and to gather feedback from the affected workers.

"We cannot decide on labour-related policies based solely on the contributions of labourers and employers without their participation in decision-making,” she said.

The NA and its Standing Committee should direct the Government to fully consult workers' opinions to ensure that the enacted policies were feasible and more effective, with better and progressive policies than those in the 2014, she added.

Also at the session, NA deputy Trần Thị Hồng Thanh, from the northern province of Ninh Bình Province proposed allowing foreign citizens meeting the residency criteria in Việt Nam to participate in voluntary social insurance.

Thanh said that the Article 3, Clause 4 of the draft amended law specified that Vietnamese citizens aged 15 and above were eligible for voluntary social insurance. So, according to the provision, only Vietnamese citizens can participate in voluntary social insurance.

“While mandatory social insurance only allowed foreign workers with work permits, professional certificates or occupational licenses issued by Vietnamese authorities to participate. This leads to many cases of foreign residents in Việt Nam not being covered by social insurance,” she said.

Thus she said the drafting agencies needed to add in that foreign citizens, meeting residency criteria in Việt Nam, but not being subject to mandatory social insurance, should be allowed to participate in voluntary social insurance.— VNS