HCM City lists hurdles to Govt’s housing rental assistance policy

Workers live in a rented house in HCM City. Photo nld.com.vn

HCM CITY — The HCM City Department of Labour, War Invalids and Social Affairs has apprised the Ministry of Labour, War Invalids and Social Affairs about some problems plaguing the Government’s employees housing rental assistance policy.

It listed five major obstacles to implementing the policy under Decision No.8 issued in March to provide housing rental assistance to 3.4 million employees at a cost of 6.6 trillion (US$284.92 million).

Workers at businesses and those returning to the labour market will get financial assistance of VNĐ500,000 per person per month (US$21.7) and VNĐ1 million.

Nearly 1.2 million people in HCM City are expected to benefit from it, the largest number in the country, at an estimated cost of VNĐ2 trillion.

Over the past two months, more than 21,100 workers at 1,855 enterprises in the city received the money, according to the HCM City Social Security Agency.

Unclear regulations related to choice of beneficiaries, payment methods and timelines for rentals hinder implementation of the policy, according to the department.

Employers must compile a list of employees who are participating in the compulsory social insurance programme and apply to social insurance agencies to get the support.

The department has also sought clarification about whether women employees enjoying maternity allowance and those who have gone on sick leave for 14 days or more are eligible for the housing rental support.

Employers must make payment to employees within two working days from the date of receipt of the support fund. —VNS