Deputy Minister of Labour, War Invalids and Social Affairs Lê Văn Thanh. VNA/VNS Photo

Agencies will continue to perfect the institutions and policies on occupational safety and health, focusing on amending the policy on the occupational accident and disease insurance fund.

Deputy Minister of Labour, War Invalids and Social Affairs Lê Văn Thanh spoke to the media about the action month on occupational health and safety as well as support regimes and policies for people suffering occupational accidents.

Why is it urgent to improve working conditions?

We know that the COVID-19 pandemic has had a very heavy impact on work, causing a lot of changes in working conditions. Also due to the disease, the attention paid to working conditions is sometimes not proper. Therefore, now we must pay attention to and improve working conditions, prevent risks of occupational accidents and diseases, thereby improving production and business efficiency, and taking care of the health of our workers.

What is different about this year's action month on occupational safety and health and are there any different goals?

The action month on occupational safety and health in 2022 has many new points. After the peak of the COVID-19 pandemic, we have adapted flexibly, ensuring safe and effective control of the pandemic. As working conditions have changed, we have to work to reduce the risk of occupational accidents and improve working conditions for workers. This year, we will work harder to improve working conditions.

Could you tell us about the policy to support workers suffering occupational accidents to ease their difficulties?

The policy already exists, we will continue to strengthen and perfect the policy and regime on occupational accidents and diseases. The occupational disease accident insurance fund is the main source of support for people suffering from work accidents. According to the law, the level of support is limited, so we will evaluate research towards raising the level of support for occupational accident victims and their relatives.

Is the expansion policy applied to workers without labour relations or contracts?

Currently, we are researching voluntary insurance for employees who do not have an employment relationship, developing a decree on voluntary insurance for occupational accidents and diseases so that people who do not have working contracts can contribute to the fund and enjoy the same benefits as those with an employment relationship.

In the future, we will focus on key solutions for occupational safety and health. First of all, we will review five years of implementing the law on occupational safety and health, continue to improve institutions and policies on occupational safety and health, focus on amending policies on occupational accident and disease insurance funds, and increase the level of support for employees and their families. 

At the same time, we will effectively deploy measures to prevent occupational accidents and occupational diseases.

Secondly, local ministries and sectors should develop and prioritise resources to effectively implement the national program on occupational safety and health 2021-2025, with a focus on supporting businesses and workers to improve working conditions, take care of employees' health and prevent occupational accidents and diseases; applying advanced technology to manage risks.

We also work to strengthen the dissemination of information, advice and training on occupational safety and health, focusing on employees who do not have an employment relationship.

Finally, we will also strengthen dialogue with businesses and employees to solve any difficulties they may have regarding the matter. VNS