Trần Thị Hồng Liên, deputy director of the Bureau for Employer’s Activities in Việt Nam under the Việt Nam Chamber of Commerce and Industry (BEA/VCCI). — VNA/VNS Photo

Trần Thị Hồng Liên, deputy director of the Bureau for Employer’s Activities in Việt Nam under the Việt Nam Chamber of Commerce and Industry (BEA/VCCI) speaks to Vietnam News Agency about the draft amendments to the Law on Social Insurance.

While businesses are facing many difficulties, could you update their regulation compliance to ensure employees’ rights, including full and timely payment of social insurance?

Businesses have encountered many difficulties in recent times, especially after the COVID-19 pandemic, when production and business activities began to recover.

Since the end of 2022 and early 2023, businesses have still faced challenges due to decline in orders. This led to the reduction of workers' income and affected businesses' fulfillment of obligations, including social insurance payments.

Enterprises have tried to comply with regulations, fully follow obligations, and ensure rights for employees. But in fact, many businesses missed the payment deadlines.

I think with the efforts of businesses and their responsibility, employers are trying to ensure social insurance contributions. This is one of the priorities in fulfilling business responsibilities and obligations.

The draft of the revised Law on Social Insurance has attracted a lot of public attention. What aspect is the VCCI concerned about?

The VCCI, representing the business community, has given feedback on the draft law. Many of our comments sent to the law drafting committee have been heeded to make adjustments.

For example, we have opinions related to the basis for paying social insurance for employees, such as paying social insurance on the salary specified in the contract as well as fixed amounts.

We hope that when the law is passed, there will be specific instructions on what areas social insurance will and will not cover to ensure benefits for both employers and employees.

We also raised our voice about lump-sum social insurance, handling violations in social insurance payment evasion, and paying insurance premiums in compensation for the temporary suspension period.

The opinions of the business community have been studied by the law drafting committee.

It is proposed in the draft of the revised Law on Social Insurance that the social insurance payment period be reduced to 15 years. How do you evaluate this proposal?

We think that this plan will create favourable conditions for employees who pay social insurance late to have the opportunity to enjoy pensions. Reducing the payment period also needs to be researched for some specific occupations with not too long working ages.

I believe the reduction will meet the wishes and desires of workers. — VNS