Covid-19-affected employees in Vietnam will receive a grant of US$43.3-$86.71 each on the occasion of upcoming Tet holiday.

The Vietnam General Confederation of Labor has made a decision to support its members and employees affected by the Covid-19 epidemic and natural disasters in 2020.

People in Hanoi's Ha Dong district receive government aid. Photo: Thuy Truc

People with disabilities, suffering labor accidents or an occupational disease and whose employers suffer dire impacts from the Covid-19 pandemic also benefit the policty.

The beneficiaries are also employees working in educational institutions who have to take over one month and a half of leave, whose income is seriously reduced by Covid-19 impacts and natural disasters in 2020.

The Vietnam General Confederation of Labor also said that organizations and individuals are not allowed to take advantage of this support for self-seeking purposes. Violation will be fined  or face criminal proceedings.

Last year, Prime Minister Nguyen Xuan Phuc signed a decision to roll out a relief package worth VND62 trillion (US$2.7 billion) to support vulnerable people directly affected by Covid-19.

The package covers six beneficiary groups who would receive financial support in cash during three months starting April.

The funding for the package comes from state and provincial budgets, including savings from regular expenditures for meetings, workshops, abroad working trips, festivals and others.

In addition to direct financial support, workers are entitled for deferral in contribution for pensions and death gratuity funds in 12 months.

Workers could submit application for financial support via postal services, email, and fax, among others, without having to seek certification from local authorities.