A young man finds information at a job fair in Cần Thơ City. VNA/VNS Photo

HÀ NỘI -- The Ministry of Labour, Invalids and Social Affairs has plans to support employees working in economic zones, industrial parks, and high-tech zones to work and participate in production recovery, especially migrant workers returning to work.

Thousands of migrant workers in HCM City – who became unemployed due to lockdowns caused by severe COVID-19 outbreaks between July and September – fled the southern economic centre to their hometowns from early October after the city eased restrictions.

The ministry has just issued Decision 1405/QD on the programme to support recovery and development of the labour market, with goals including keeping unemployment in urban areas below 4 per cent, and rural areas below 2 per cent.

The ministry will review regulations on working time and rest time for workers. Total overtime hours should not exceed 300 hours per year.

The ministry will coordinate with relevant agencies for policies on reduced interest rates, capital support from National Employment Fund loans to create jobs, and encouraging businesses to assist workers with salary, overtime meals and other social benefits.

Enterprises will be supported with labour recruitment costs through employment service centres. 

Enterprises sending Vietnamese to work abroad will be supported with worker training fees at localities.

The programme also supports migrant workers with daily-living, travel and medical expenses, especially for female employers raising infants, or pregnant.

In addition, the ministry plans to support migrant workers with temporary accommodation or money to rent a house so that they can quickly settle down.

According to the programme, the departments of Labour, Invalids and Social Affairs of all cities and provinces are responsible for supporting businesses and workers who are facing difficulties due to the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic by organising online job fairs. VNS