The Vietnamese government plans to provide financial support worth up to VND30 trillion (US$1.28 billion) for vulnerable people directly affected by the Covid-19 pandemic, according to Prime Minister Nguyen Xuan Phuc.

Prime Minister Nguyen Xuan Phuc at the meeting. Source: VGP.

The pandemic is causing severe consequences to not only businesses and state revenue, but also people’s lives, requiring urgent measures to ensure social security, particularly the poor, unemployed or vulnerable people, among others, Phuc said at a government meeting on March 31.

Under the plan, people out of work, self-employed people, and household businesses forced to suspend operation could receive up to VND1 million (US$42.63) per month, while social beneficiaries and revolutionary contributors are entitled to VND500,000 (US$21.32) per person per month.

In the short term, people could receive financial support in three months starting April while the government would continue to review the situation to adopt further measures.

Meanwhile, for workers having labor contracts with enterprises but are forced to take unpaid leave or face wage reduction, the support would be around VND1.8 million (US$76.74) per person per month in the next three months.

Phuc, however, urged such financial support should strictly target people directly affected by the pandemic, while those seek to take advantage of the policy for illegal gains would be punished.

Local authorities in provinces/cities are responsible to ensure the support is provided in a transparent and fair manner, Phuc requested.

Enterprises should ensure payment of at least 50% of the minimum wages for employees. In case they are unable to pay wages, enterprises could seek preferential loans from the Social Policy Bank of Vietnam, Phuc added.