Informal workers in southern localities have received aid to reduce difficulties caused by COVID-19. —Photo for illustration vneconomy.vn

HCM CITY — Nineteen southern provinces and cities have provided relief aid for more than 635,000 informal workers with a total amount of nearly VNĐ911 billion (US$40 million).

Of these, HCM City assisted 462,000 workers with nearly VNĐ694 billion, Đồng Nai Province supported 22,000 with VNĐ33 billion and Bình Dương Province aided nearly 98,000 with VNĐ134 billion.

Nearly VNĐ42.46 billion was offered to 45,700 workers in Bình Phước Province and over VNĐ60.2 billion was provided for more than 40,200 in Đồng Tháp as well as over VNĐ22.7 billion for 20,100 others in Vĩnh Long.

According to statistics of the Ministry of Labour, Invalids and Social Affairs (MoLISA), the southern provinces and cities are home to more than 10 million informal workers.

To reduce difficulties for people, southern provinces and cities have issued assistance plans for those affected by the COVID-19 pandemic, including supporting policies for informal workers. Special policies have been designed for different groups such as those selling lottery tickets, drivers of motorbike taxis, street vendors as well as workers at business facilities without labour contracts.

Social distancing which is extended for nearly two months in many provinces and cities has been greatly affecting the lives of informal workers, mostly labourers from other provinces, whose monthly income is unstable and do not have savings.

Therefore, MoLISA suggested that provinces and cities pay attention to implementing social assistance policies for these groups to help them stabilise their lives. — VNS