Removing difficulties for voluntary social insurance

(Baonghean) - In recent times, the provincial Social Insurance has focused on promoting development and expanding the number of voluntary social insurance participants with practical and specific solutions. However, the coverage of voluntary social insurance in the province is still low. Workers are still not very interested or do not have the conditions to participate in this type of insurance with many advantages.

Uneven development

According to statistics of the provincial Social Insurance, as of May 31, 2017, the number of people participating in voluntary social insurance was 23,760 people, an increase of 654 people compared to the end of 2016. Among them, there are districts with high number of participants such as: Quynh Luu 2,865 people, Dien Chau 2,819 people, Do Luong 2,484 people.

Besides, the number of participants in districts such as Tuong Duong district is very low, less than 200 people. Thus, it can be seen that in localities where people have relatively equal income and economic development, there are more participants and vice versa.

Most freelance workers do not participate in voluntary social insurance. Photo: Canh Nam

One of the localities with a high number of voluntary social insurance participants is Dien Chau district, currently with 2,819 people participating in voluntary social insurance. It is known that for many years, the district Social Insurance has regularly coordinated with the district-level functional departments and People's Committees of communes, towns and social insurance collection agents in 39/39 communes and towns to do a good job of propagating social insurance benefits to the people through local radio and television channels; distributing leaflets and sending officers and employees of the district Social Insurance directly to communes and towns to organize propaganda about the Social Insurance Law...

Mr. Bui Thanh Loc - Director of Dien Chau District Social Insurance said: "To mobilize people to participate in voluntary social insurance, in addition to doing a good job of propaganda, we promote the implementation of policies and regimes for voluntary social insurance participants to build trust among the masses. Because only when people are aware of the benefits of participating in voluntary social insurance and have trust, will they feel secure in participating."

Ms. Nguyen Thi Huong in Dien Phong commune (Dien Chau) participated in compulsory social insurance for more than 15 years and then moved abroad to settle down. However, she continued to participate in voluntary social insurance with a contribution of more than 1.3 million VND/month, paying every 6 months for the remaining months.

“The good thing here is that voluntary social insurance participants can choose to pay one-time, monthly or quarterly. I think this is a very favorable condition for voluntary social insurance participants; it is a very flexible and suitable policy, especially for those who participate in insurance but live far from home, those who do not have the conditions to travel,” Ms. Huong shared.

However, not all workers share the same perception as Ms. Nguyen Thi Huong. In fact, currently, the work of developing voluntary social insurance participants still faces many difficulties.

Most districts, towns and cities have people participating in voluntary social insurance, however, they are mainly concentrated in localities with developed economies, while in places with difficult economic conditions and low general education, the rate of people participating in voluntary social insurance is very low. For example, in Tuong Duong district, there are 18 communes and towns, according to statistics of the district's social insurance, only nearly 200 people participate, a decrease of more than 100 people compared to 2015. For people in mountainous areas, with the current standard of living, pursuing 20 years of voluntary social insurance is very difficult.

Mr. Nguyen Cong Hoa - Director of Tuong Duong District Social Insurance said: "Every year, the district Social Insurance develops a propaganda plan, but the effectiveness is not high because the living standards and income of the people are too low. Currently, we have conducted propaganda about the Government's new regulations on social insurance support levels for the subjects, hoping that in the coming time, the number of voluntary social insurance participants will increase."

Efforts to overcome difficulties

Voluntary social insurance is a type of social insurance in which employees voluntarily participate, choosing the contribution level and payment method suitable to their income to enjoy the prescribed regimes. The subjects participating in voluntary social insurance are very broad, Vietnamese people from 15 years old and above who do not participate in compulsory social insurance can participate in voluntary social insurance.

It can be seen that the subjects participating in voluntary social insurance are mainly freelancers, workers in the agricultural and forestry sectors... who often have low and unstable incomes. Although the voluntary social insurance contribution rate varies according to the ability of the contributor, the lowest contribution rate is currently 22% (meaning that the participant must pay at least 154,000 VND/month), which is not a small amount for freelancers and workers in rural and mountainous areas in the province.

In addition, the minimum period of social insurance payment to enjoy retirement benefits lasts up to 20 years, requiring perseverance and trust, while many workers are not fully aware of the meaning and importance of social insurance for their future.

People come to receive social insurance payment at the People's Committee of Xuan Lam commune (Nam Dan). Photo: Thanh Thuy

Recognizing the difficulties, in the coming time, the provincial Social Insurance will continue to promote solutions to develop voluntary social insurance participants. Accordingly, propaganda work is identified as the "spearhead".

The provincial Social Insurance will closely coordinate with all levels, sectors, news agencies, press; associations, unions, political organizations, socio-political organizations to strengthen the propaganda of the Law on Social Insurance on mass media and directly to the people; issue propaganda publications to workers, especially workers in non-state enterprises such as leaflets and posters promoting voluntary social insurance; organize oral propaganda activities through collective activities at enterprises and in communes, wards and towns.

Along with that, according to Ms. Tran Thi Ha - Head of Collection Management Department, Provincial Social Insurance, in the coming time, the Social Insurance sector will consider expanding the network of voluntary social insurance collection agents, striving for each village, hamlet, and residential group to have a collection agent or voluntary social insurance collection point. At the same time, provide guidance and training on voluntary social insurance policies for collection agent staff to coordinate propaganda and consultation to the people.

Notably, from January 1, 2018, voluntary social insurance participants will receive State support for contributions equal to 10% of the contribution level according to the poverty line in rural areas. In the case of near-poor workers, the support level is 25% (equivalent to VND 38,500/month); poor workers will receive support level of 30% (equivalent to VND 46,200/month). Hopefully, this will be a driving force to attract more people to participate in voluntary social insurance, ensuring social security and health care for people.

South Scene