The 7th session of the Vietnamese National Assembly, held on March 25, 2025, debated amendments to the Labor Law. A key point of contention is the proposed time limit on unemployment benefits.
Key Provisions of the Revised Labor Law Draft
The revised draft, comprising 8 chapters and 61 articles, reduces these figures by 1 chapter and 33 articles compared to the initial proposal. Crucially, the draft maintains the requirement of more than 144 months of social insurance contributions to qualify for future unemployment benefits.
Debate Surrounds Unemployment Benefit Duration
Current and proposed regulations stipulate that workers who have contributed to unemployment insurance for over 144 months will not have their contributions carried over to qualify for subsequent benefits. This essentially limits the maximum unemployment benefit period to 12 months.
Numerous National Assembly members expressed concern about this provision. They argued that it disproportionately impacts workers with extensive contribution histories but limited or no prior receipt of unemployment benefits. These workers could face a loss of earned benefits. Moreover, this regulation has broader implications for social welfare policies and businesses, potentially leading to the loss of valuable, long-term employees, or even encouraging fraudulent claims.
Arguments Supporting the Time Limit
Conversely, some members argued that limiting the duration of unemployment benefits is necessary. They believe this constraint helps maintain the financial stability of the unemployment insurance fund and encourages job seekers to quickly return to the labor market. The government aligns with this viewpoint, asserting that the 12-month limit allows sufficient time for job hunting and prevents reliance on the benefits system.
Proposed Solutions and Future Steps
National Assembly member Nguyen Thi Viet Nga (Haiduong) suggested that a 12-month maximum is reasonable for workers to find new employment. This timeframe, she argued, will motivate workers to actively seek work and promote participation in the labor market. Minister Lê Văn Thanh (Ministry of Internal Affairs) further addressed the need to balance the unemployment insurance fund, emphasizing the importance of equitable distribution. He suggested that the proposed rules will help guarantee sufficient funds to implement further support programs for workers.
However, the requirement for workers to personally report their job-seeking efforts remained a concern. While some proposed online reporting, the prevalence of informal employment in Vietnam makes oversight and fraud prevention challenging.
Additional Concerns for Consideration
National Assembly Vice Chairwoman Nguyễn Thị Thanh pointed out that restructuring provincial and district government structures would impact approximately 100,000 civil servants. She urged the drafting committee to further address skills development and job placement for those affected, especially those who have left their jobs due to the restructuring. She emphasized the need for training programs and preferential hiring for these individuals to ensure their reintegration into the workforce.
Conclusion
The revised Labor Law draft continues to be a subject of vigorous debate in the National Assembly. Balancing the limitation of unemployment benefits with the rights of workers and the stability of the insurance fund presents a significant challenge that requires a comprehensive and fair resolution.
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Reference:
- Original article on Dân Trí: https://dantri.com.vn/xa-hoi/sap-nhap-tinh-bo-huyen-so-can-bo-bi-anh-huong-se-lon-hon-100000-nguoi-20250325183118787.htm (Link to original article)
