Comments on the Labor Code (amended), many opinions disagree with increasing the retirement age

On the afternoon of August 16, the Provincial National Assembly Delegation coordinated with the Department of Labor, War Invalids and Social Affairs; Provincial Labor Federation to organize a conference to collect comments on the draft Labor Code (amended). Comrade Nguyen Thanh Hien - Member of the Provincial Party Executive Committee, Deputy Head of the Provincial National Assembly Delegation, Nguyen Chi Cong - Vice Chairman of the Provincial Labor Federation co-chaired the conference. Also attending were representatives of relevant departments, branches and sectors. Photo: Thanh Quynh

The draft Labor Code (amended) consists of 17 chapters and 221 articles, 21 articles less than the current Labor Code; about 171 articles are amended and supplemented.

There are currently 6 major issues receiving attention, including: Expanding the agreement framework on maximum overtime; Adjusting the retirement age; Adding regulations on representative organizations of workers at the workplace; on Lunar New Year holidays; Adding 1 holiday, War Invalids and Martyrs Day (July 27); Unifying working hours of administrative agencies nationwide.

Disagree with increasing retirement age

Regarding the issue of increasing the retirement age for women from 55 (according to current law) to 60 and for men from 60 (according to current law) to 62, most of the opinions contributed by delegates at the conference were in disagreement.

Accordingly, delegate Tran Dinh Toan - Deputy Head of the Provincial People's Council's Legal Committee said that keeping the retirement age unchanged will lead to the risk of "breaking" the social insurance fund (SI), which is unfounded, because this fund source will continue to change its structure strongly in the future. If we want to maintain the effectiveness of the SI fund source, we must innovate in construction, source creation, management and use.

On the other hand, the State needs to have a more comprehensive policy on social insurance to create conditions for people of all walks of life to contribute (obligation) to the fund at different levels corresponding to their financial capacity, and at the same time, build milestones for fund contribution, contribution levels, and age so that workers have the right to retire earlier.

Delegate Bui Thi Thu Huong (Truong Thi ward, Vinh city) said that increasing the retirement age should take into account the increasing demand for jobs of young, qualified, and well-trained workers. Meanwhile, the older workforce in some specific labor sectors finds it difficult to adapt and meet the requirements of businesses, agencies, and units.

This delegate also emphasized that although the average life expectancy of Vietnamese people is increasing, diseases are increasing, and the nature of occupations in our country is mostly "manual labor", so if the retirement age is extended, it must be classified according to each specific, separate occupation.

Delegate Nguyen Van Hai - Deputy Head of the Southeast Economic Zone Management Board said that most businesses do not want to increase the retirement age for direct labor groups because the "aging" of workers will lead to a decline in productivity and work quality.

Need to consider maximum overtime hours

Delegate Nguyen Ho Canh (Vinh city) said that expanding overtime hours should avoid the situation where workers are exploited by businesses, as overtime will reduce costs compared to recruiting new workers.

Therefore, it is necessary to strengthen inspection and supervision to ensure policies and regimes for workers.

Delegate Le Van Son - Chairman of Haivina Company's Trade Union spoke at the conference. Photo: Thanh Quynh

Agreeing with the above opinion, delegate Le Van Son - Chairman of the Haivina Company's Trade Union said that through a survey of workers' opinions at the company, most of them contributed their opinions on the need to calculate according to a progressive level to avoid the case where the enterprise does not recruit more workers, taking advantage of overtime to exhaust the workforce.

Representatives of Nghe An Civil Servants' Union gave milk to encourage workers of Dien Chau Brick Package and Construction Company. Photo: Thu Huong

Regarding the addition of a public holiday, War Invalids and Martyrs Day (July 27th), many delegates said that it is unnecessary because currently the number of days off during the week and holidays in our country accounts for nearly 1/3 of the days in a year.

Speaking at the end of the conference, comrade Nguyen Thanh Hien said that after learning and grasping the proposals of the delegates, the Provincial National Assembly Delegation will gather to present to the upcoming National Assembly session.