HCM City unions provide post-Covid-19 support

Thousands of workers who have been affected by Covid-19 have been given support by the HCM City Federation of Labour and other organisations.

Thousands of workers who have been affected by Covid-19 have been given support by the HCM City Federation of Labour and other organisations.

  

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The figures were announced at the meeting of the executive committee of HCM City Federation of Labour on July 23. In the first six months, a total of 15,200 firms had to scale down business, cut staff or go bankrupt. As a result, 150,000 employees were laid off, had their salaries cut or lost jobs. Most of them are in the service and manufacturing industry because of the lack of materials and customers.

The city authorities, organisations and individuals have launched many programmes to help the employees to overcome difficult times. HCM City Federation of Labour supported over 18,000 members with individual payments of VND1.2m (USD52) each. They also encouraged landlords to lower rent for over 57,600 rooms and waive the fees for 200 rooms when firms had to scale down businesses.

They also worked with the Department of Labour, Invalids and Social Affairs and the Vietnam Association of High-Quality Goods to provide 7,000 meals to the workers who lost their jobs due to Covid-19 from April 6 to April 15. The Capital Aid Fund for Employment of the Poor started a VND6.5bn (USD281,000) programme to support poor workers.

Many have also benefited from the USD2.6bn support package approved by the government to help poor people and businesses amid Covid-19. Food and other necessities were provided to 18,000 workers. Businesses can ask to extend deadlines for bank loans or have lending rates reduced.