National Assembly Delegate Ma Thi Thuy: It is necessary to carefully consider and widely consult the subjects affected by the draft Law on Social Insurance (amended)

Delegate Ma Thi Thuy affirmed that the Social Insurance Law has a great impact on the lives of millions of workers who have worked and are working, including those who have passed away and their families. Therefore, the study and review of the provisions of the draft law is especially important for the National Assembly , and is of interest to voters nationwide. The delegate basically agreed with many contents mentioned by the National Assembly Standing Committee.

Overview of the meeting.

However, the delegate expressed concern about the lowest pension level. The delegate said: The Social Insurance Law 2006 and the Social Insurance Law 2014 both stipulate that the lowest monthly pension level for employees participating in compulsory social insurance is equal to the basic salary (Article 56, Social Insurance Law 2014) or equal to the general minimum wage (Article 52, Social Insurance Law 2006), except for some exceptional cases. This has helped many groups of workers when they retire to enjoy better social security policies because if it is lower, the Social Insurance Fund or the State budget will adjust it to increase it, ensuring it is at least equal to the basic salary.

In 2024, the basic salary is 1.8 million VND/person/month. However, according to Resolution No. 27 on salary policy reform, the basic salary will be abolished from July 1, 2024. If the lowest pension is considered the lowest level of social retirement with an expected level of 500,000 VND/person/month, it will delay social security progress. Delegates proposed that the National Assembly and the Government add regulations on the lowest monthly pension equal to the reference level (instead of the abolished basic salary).

The delegate suggested that the specific reference level at the time of salary reform must be equal to or higher than 1.8 million VND per month by about 8-15% depending on the new salary rate increase rate after salary reform on July 1, 2024 to ensure harmony between the income of working people and pensioners. Too large a gap will create inequality in society and fail to protect vulnerable labor groups.

“Here, let me clarify that the level of 500,000 VND/person/month is only equivalent to 33.3% of the rural income poverty line of 1.5 million VND and 25% of the urban income poverty line of 2 million VND. Thus, this minimum social security floor level will not be guaranteed.

Delegate Ma Thi Thuy participated in the discussion.

Therefore, if the minimum wage is maintained at least equal to or higher than 1.8 million VND by 2024, many vulnerable workers will enjoy a life of social security that meets the poverty line in rural areas. This is a benefit for the people that cannot be ignored" - Delegate Ma Thi Thuy expressed.

Regarding the time of passing the Law on Social Insurance, delegates suggested that the National Assembly should postpone the time of considering and passing the Law on Social Insurance to the 8th Session to ensure caution, fully assess the impact of the new wage policy on the provisions of the Law on Social Insurance and collect opinions from the affected subjects, which are the majority of workers.

“We cannot decide policies related to workers’ rights based on money directly contributed by workers and employers without them having any say in the matter. The National Assembly and the National Assembly Standing Committee need to direct the Government to fully consult workers to ensure that the policies issued are feasible and effective, with many better and more progressive policies than the 2014 Social Insurance Law,” delegate Ma Thi Thuy emphasized before the National Assembly.

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