At comments conferences organized by the Vietnam General Confederation of Labor in Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh City, many opinions expressed the desire that the draft law should more clearly demonstrate specific policies for female workers. Because although the "priority" policy has been mentioned in the submission, if it is not specified by clear terms, support will be difficult to put into practice.
Current female workers, especially in rural areas and the informal sector, still face many difficulties: Unstable jobs, few opportunities for retraining, and are easily affected during pregnancy or childcare.
These characteristics need to be fully recognized in policy design, in the direction of not being favorably, but to creating more fair conditions among groups of workers with different circumstances.
Some very notable opinions have been given, such as the proposal to support businesses with many female workers, expanding the number of beneficiaries of unemployment insurance in cases where businesses owe or evade.
In particular, the proposal to increase the unemployment insurance benefit level, considering removing the ceiling of "maximum 5 times the minimum wage", studying to allow employees to receive a subsidy for the corresponding portion of contributions, even if the enterprise has not fulfilled its obligations, is a humane approach, demonstrating the protective role of social security policies.
Comments from localities are suggestions from practice, if accepted and specifically regulated in the law, it will contribute to better protecting the rights of female workers, who are the group most often disadvantaged in labor relations.
This draft law is also an opportunity to perfect regulations on vocational training, support in job search, especially for female workers after maternity leave, raising young children or changing jobs due to changes in family circumstances.
In the process of giving comments on the draft, the Vietnam General Confederation of Labor has performed the role of social criticism in a methodical and objective manner. Many recommendations from the grassroots have been compiled and reflected, and a significant part has been accepted and reflected in the current draft.
The important thing at this time is that lawmakers need to continue to listen to opinions from practice, from the voices of workers, especially female workers, so that when the law is issued, it will truly come into life, arouse trust, and create conditions for workers to feel secure in their attachment and dedication.
