Over the month of July, more than 1,100 women employees working in different industrial zones in Viet Nam attended communication fora on health-related benefits of the social security system. The fora were part of the cooperation initiative of ILO and Vietnam General Confederation of Labour (VGCL) under the ILO – Lux project “Support to the extension of social health protection in Southeast Asia”.
Protecting people health and ensuring their minimum income are protected in case of ill health is more and more at the heart of todays’ concern, especially in the global crisis of Covid-19. However, a recent knowledge and information needs assessment, supported by the ILO and VGCL, revealed that although general knowledge on basic benefits is strong, female workers have a limited understanding of the detailed entitlements, eligibility and procedures for access. It is crucial that female workers in Vietnam are fully aware of their rights to social health protection, and that their entitlements are upheld and fully utilised. “Social security is a human right provided in Vietnam’s Constitution 2013. Social security, including social health protection, is both an ultimate objective and a tool for sustainable economic growth and social development of our country. Women workers should be at the centre of the development”, said Ms Do Hong Van, Deputy Director of Women’s Affairs, VGCL.
The results of the communication fora were considered truly useful and effective, as complimented by worker participants. The events included specialist speakers from ILO, VGCL, Provincial Social Security and Provincial Department of Labour and Social Affairs who provided practical information on social security benefits through the panel discussion and the Question and Answers session. The worker participants also enthusiastically took part in the Quiz to memorize the important knowledge on health-focused social security benefits. The participants were provided with a booklet titled “Useful information on health-related social security benefits for factory workers”, which is expected to become a reference material for factory workers and their families to better enjoy their rights and benefits.
Truong Thi Hong Hanh, Triumph Company of Song Than Industrial Zone, expressed that “My mom has got a cancer, so I understand how meaningful health insurance is, without it my family could not afford the costly and lengthy treatment of this disease. But not all colleagues in my company would have a clear understanding, since it is considered an obligation that they have to contribute to the state rather than a direct benefit whenever they are at risk. I wish those kinds of forum will be held more regularly at our factory and at the community”.
VGCL communication efforts will continue to intensify over the coming months to inform more workers on their rights to social security.
