Millions affected by third Covid-19 wave in Vietnam

The Covid-19 outbreak that occurred at the first months of this year badly affected over 9.1 million people over 15 years old, the General Statistics Office of Vietnam announced in its Q1 employment report.

The Covid-19 outbreak that occurred in Hai Duong, Hai Phong, Quang Ninh and Hanoi over the first months of this year badly affected over 9.1 million people over 15 years old, the General Statistics Office of Vietnam announced in its Q1 employment report.

  

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According to the report, average monthly incomes across Vietnam were reported to have increased slightly. Monthly incomes in the agriculture, forestry and fisheries sector were VND3.6m (USD155), VND7.2m in the industry and construction sector and VND7.5m in the service sector, an increase of VND55,000 compared to the same period last year.

However, the raise was small and unequal. Only 49.9 million people over 15 years old had a job in the first quarter, a decrease of 959,600 people from the same period last year.

540,000 people became unemployed, 2.8 million people had work suspended, 3.1 million people said their work hours had been cut or had to take leave, and 6.5 million people said their salaries had been reduced. Employees in urban areas were more affected than people in rural areas.

A total of 971,400 people entered the market and were unable to find jobs in the first quarter. This number was up 143,200 people compared to the final quarter in 2020 and 78,700 people compared to the same period last year.

Agriculture, forestry and fisheries were the least affected. Only 7.5% of the employees in this sector were affected by the recent outbreak. The industry and construction sector were in second place with 16.5% of the employees affected. The service sector was the hardest hit with 20.4% of the employees in the sector affected by the outbreak.