Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh, at the first post-Tet Government meeting held today [February 15], urged localities and ministries to focus immediately on key socio-economic development tasks.

Overview of the meeting. Photo: Nhat Bac/The Hanoi Times

In particular, Chinh called for continued efforts to boost production, business activities, job creation, and people's livelihoods, ensuring that social welfare tasks are carried out with comprehensive, inclusive, modern, and sustainable goals.

The immediate focus, as Chinh said, would be on ensuring safe celebrations of post-Tet festivals, promoting the nation's cultural identity, and continuing to take care of people's health.

“Ministries, sectors, and localities must closely coordinate and efficiently address difficulties faced by the people and businesses and continue to improve institutional mechanisms, policies, and frameworks based on their functions, tasks, and powers to mobilize all resources for national development,” Chinh noted.

During the meeting, Minister and Head of the Government Office Tran Van Son highlighted the concerted efforts of government agencies at all levels to ensure the material and spiritual welfare of the populace during Tet, including providing abundant goods at stable prices, facilitating smooth transport networks, and fostering vibrant cultural activities and festivals imbued with national identity. Support was provided nationwide, and Tet gifts were distributed to over 13.9 million beneficiaries, with a total budget of nearly VND7.7 trillion (US$315 million).

"Those with revolutionary contributions and their families received support worth about VND2.7 trillion ($110.4 million). Both central and local authorities have provided around 17,736 tons of rice to people nationwide," Son said.

Over 1.07 million elderly people received longevity wishes and gifts worth over VND600 billion ($24.5 million); nearly 1.85 million poor and near-poor households have been supported with gifts worth over VND1.1 trillion ($45 million); over 1.64 million social protection beneficiaries received gifts worth nearly VND754.4 billion ($30.8 million).

Trade unions at all levels have worked with enterprises and society to support nearly 7.5 million union members and workers in difficult circumstances with cash support of VND500,000 ($22) per person.

In addition, over 8.6 million union members and workers (compared to 6.5 million in the previous period) received gifts with a combined value of over VND5.05 trillion ($206.5 million).

The average monthly salary in 2023 in enterprises is estimated to reach VND8.5 million ($348), up 3% compared to 2022.

Regarding Tet bonuses, 47,625 enterprises reported plans to give Tet bonuses to 3.33 million workers, with an average bonus of VND6.85 million ($280) per person, equivalent to the Tet bonus level of 2023.

In his concluding remarks, the Prime Minister affirmed that with the commitment of the entire political system, the support of the people and businesses, and the assistance of international friends, the Government has organized joyful and meaningful celebrations for the people, ensuring a cheerful, healthy, safe, thrifty, and loving Tet.