Molisa mulls unemployment assistance plan

Hanoi (VNA) - All businesses facing difficulties and jobless workers in and outside the country will receive support from the Government, which is expected to spend over 1 trillion VND (57 million USD) on this assistance programme.

This is the main content of a draft on support for enterprises and workers hit by
the on-going global economic recession that the Ministry of Labour, War Invalids
and Social Affairs (MoLISA) has submitted to the Government for consideration,
said the ministry's Deputy Minister Nguyen Thanh Hoa.

Under the draft, difficulty-stricken businesses and production establishments will
be provided with capital to maintain their production and ensure jobs for labourers,
Hoa said.

Enterprises that are forced to cut their labour force will be given non-interest
loans to pay unemployment allowances under the existing law, she added.

Employees at bankrupted enterprises that have been abandoned by their owners will
receive assistance to continue their insurances and seek new jobs in addition to
unemployment compensation.

Guest workers abroad, who lose jobs and must return home, will receive
unemployment compensation and non-interest loans to serve their apprenticeship and
change careers.

According to Hoa, to effectively implement these policies, ministries, agencies
and localities will be assigned with specific responsibilities.

The urgent completion of the project shows the MoLISA's efforts in executing the
Prime Minister's decision issued on Feb. 23 on support for jobless workers at
businesses facing difficulties due to the economic recession, she said.

According to the ministry's statistics, by the end of 2008, around 30,000
labourers nationwide had lost their jobs due to the economic recession. The figure
is forecast to increase to over 150,000 this year.-Enditem