The 13th National Assembly (NA) continued its 8th session on October 21st with group discussions focusing on socio-economic issues.

NA deputies pointed to enterprises’ sluggishness in paying social insurance premiums, which cannot be blamed for difficulties in production and business.

Data from the Vietnam Social Insurance Agency showed that by August this year, companies across the country owed insurance units more than VND 12 trillion (over USD 571.4 million), and some 38,900 firms owed for at least three months, affecting more than 600,000 employees.

NA Chairman Nguyen Sinh Hung and NA deputies. Photo: qdnd.vn

The deputies asked the Government to take prompt measures forcing businesses to pay premiums and severely punishing others that intentionally evade their duty.

According to them, socio-economic improvements have helped curb the increase of crimes and the Government should conduct in-depth studies to clarify primary reasons and devise practical measures to substantively deal with the criminal situation.

They also called for more attention to the community-based drug rehabilitation which has not been effective enough, noting that Vietnam has recorded 204,000 dug addicts, mostly young people.

Regarding the official development assistance (ODA), the lawmakers voiced concern about difficulties in paying back the loaned capital and suggested the Cabinet consider the use of ODA carefully.

ODA should be prioritised for poverty reduction and health care programmes, they noted.

Source: VNA