Tiếng Việt
中文 (中国)
The incidence of occupational accidents in the informal labor sector is very high, with over 1,400 fatalities annually. In response to this situation, the Ministry of Labor, Invalids, and Social Affairs (MOLISA) has proposed issuing a Decree on voluntary occupational accident insurance for freelancers to improve social welfare.
The target participants are workers aged 15 and above who do not have a formal contract and do not participate in compulsory social insurance. The proposed contribution rate is 1% of the minimum wage of Region IV, approximately 32,500 VND per month.
The insurance benefits are based on the degree of reduced working capacity and death. The Ministry of Finance agrees with the proposal but emphasizes the need to adjust the contribution rate and provide appropriate support, with the state budget subsidizing a portion for those in hardship.
Regarding benefits, workers will receive compensation when their working capacity is reduced or in case of death due to occupational accidents. Specifically, workers with a reduction in working capacity of 5% will receive three times the minimum wage of Region IV. For each additional 1% reduction, they will receive an additional 0.3 times the minimum wage of Region IV. Additionally, workers will receive an allowance based on the number of years they have contributed to the Voluntary Occupational Accident Insurance Fund.
The rate of occupational accidents in the informal sector is very high, with an average of over 1,400 freelancer fatalities annually, nearly twice as many as those with formal contracts. According to MOLISA statistics, by the end of the first quarter of 2023, the number of workers without labor contracts in Vietnam was around 33 million.
MOLISA proposes a Decree on voluntary occupational accident insurance for freelancers to complement the limitations of existing commercial insurance. The insurance benefits will be calculated based on the degree of reduced working capacity, and in case of death due to occupational accidents, the lump sum benefit will be nearly 32 times the minimum wage of Region IV.
The Ministry of Finance agrees with the establishment of this insurance fund but suggests adjusting the contribution and benefit rates to be more appropriate, with the state supporting part of the contributions for those in need. Relevant agencies emphasize the necessity of this decree and suggest increasing support for the poor.
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