Nghe An: Nearly 26,000 people participate in voluntary social insurance

The extended "arm"

As a mountainous commune located in the southwest, about 25km from the center of Nghia Dan district, the lives of people in Nghia Khanh commune mainly depend on agriculture and some service - trade industries. In recent years, thanks to the economic restructuring, dynamic young workers opening up export directions, the socio-economic appearance of the commune has improved, people's lives have gradually improved. However, in the commune, there are many people who are self-employed, doing business at home, not belonging to any agencies or organizations... so the rate of participation in social insurance is still low. Many people are currently doing business and have a decent income, but are still worried about the future when they get old and sick.

Providing information on voluntary social insurance policies through leaflets and brochures to people in Nghia Khanh commune, Nghia Dan district. Photo: PA

Grasping that reality, Nghia Dan District Social Insurance has coordinated with the District Post Office, local authorities, departments, branches and organizations in the area to diversify forms of propaganda about voluntary social insurance. Most recently, in mid-October 2018, a "return to the people" propaganda session organized by the District Social Insurance and the District Post Office brought positive results.

Before the propaganda, the officers of the two units surveyed and reviewed the number of people of working age, grasped the lives and circumstances of each target group and invited each person to attend. The propaganda session was lively and convincing with video clips, projection screens... providing policy information on contribution levels and benefits when participating in voluntary social insurance. Thanks to this close attention, the propaganda was more focused and effective.

In Nghia Khanh commune, after propaganda, many people registered to participate in voluntary social insurance. Photo: PA

At the end of the propaganda session, dozens of people registered to participate in voluntary social insurance right at the consulting desk and collection agent. Mr. Dang Van Binh was one of the people who registered 2 files to participate in voluntary social insurance right after the propaganda session. He said that he has participated in social insurance for nearly 30 years and is currently enjoying retirement benefits and many benefits of the accompanying health insurance regime. Therefore, when he learned more information about voluntary social insurance, he decided to register for his wife and son - who are self-employed workers. He affirmed that this is the right investment, the most beneficial for his family to prevent risks when they are old and sick in the future.

In recent times, the method of coordinating propaganda between the Social Insurance sector and the Post Office has been implemented smoothly in many localities, bringing high results. In Hung Thong commune, Hung Nguyen district, also at a consultation session on voluntary social insurance chaired by the District Post Office, many people expressed their excitement when they had their questions about social insurance policies directly answered, which they had not known where to go for help.

Ms. Nguyen Thi Yen in Hamlet 5 said that for a long time she thought that only state officials had pensions, but now she knows that any worker can enjoy this benefit with the voluntary social insurance policy. "I will balance my income and buy it for myself and encourage my family members to participate," Ms. Yen said.

The participation of the Postal sector is considered as an "extended arm" for the Social Insurance sector in the work of propaganda and development of voluntary social insurance. In just 3 months of August, September, October 2018, post offices of 21 districts, cities and towns in the province organized 85 conferences to propagate and advise on voluntary social insurance policies for employees, and more than 2,169 people registered to participate right at the propaganda session.

Go to every alley, knock on every door

Along with the practical coordination between the Social Insurance and the Post Office, the Social Insurance sector also maintains close ties with local authorities, departments, branches and organizations to spread voluntary social insurance policies to the community.

In Yen Thanh district, thanks to the synchronous implementation of many solutions, the development of voluntary social insurance has achieved many positive results. Up to now, the whole district has over 3,000 people participating in voluntary social insurance, of which in the first 9 months of 2018 alone, there were about 1,000 new participants.

Sharing about good practices, Ms. Hoang Thi Chin - Director of Yen Thanh District Social Insurance said: “There are 2 solutions that bring great efficiency and have a fast spreading power. The first is to expand the network of collaborators - the heads of the Farmers' Association, Women's Association... in the hamlets. This is the force that goes to every alley, knocks on every door, and brings social insurance policies to every citizen. Second, we actively carry out activities to the people to directly bring information to the people so that they understand, listen, and believe, and share and solve difficulties with them.”

Provincial Social Insurance Union members promote voluntary social insurance for small traders at the market. Photo: PA

As one of the organizations closely linked with the Social Insurance sector in the work of "covering" voluntary social insurance, the Women's Union has actively and responsibly accompanied and contributed significantly to increasing the rate of people participating. Ms. Nguyen Thi Hoa - President of the Women's Union of Yen Thanh district said: "We believe that propaganda is not just providing policy information in a rigid manner, but propaganda must be correct, targeting each subject, suitable for each situation. Women cadres often have a deeper understanding and sensitivity to each family, so the propaganda process is also more favorable to gradually disseminate knowledge and change people's awareness".

Thanks to the regular innovation of effective propaganda forms, the rate of voluntary social insurance participants in the province has increased, from 9,000 people in 2009 to nearly 26,000 people - as of October 31, 2018, accounting for 13% of the total number of voluntary social insurance participants nationwide.

Mr. Le Viet Thuc - Deputy Director of the Provincial Social Insurance affirmed: “With the view of proactively reaching out to the people, bringing policies closer to the people, the Provincial Social Insurance has directed collection agents and coordinated with sectors and organizations to organize many conferences and events in the community. The propaganda content is presented in a close, practical, easy-to-understand, easy-to-remember manner, with the aim of allowing everyone to grasp the information and raise their understanding and awareness of the voluntary social insurance policy - a very humane policy. In the coming time, we will continue to promote, diversify and constantly innovate the forms of propaganda to achieve the goal of "covering" voluntary social insurance in the province".

According toSocial Insurance Law 2014People aged 15 years or older who are not subject to compulsory social insurance (SI) can participate in voluntary SI.

Voluntary social insurance has retirement and death benefits, but does not have sickness, maternity, work accident, or occupational disease benefits like compulsory social insurance. The voluntary social insurance contribution level is calculated based on the monthly income level chosen by the employee.

The monthly voluntary social insurance contribution level of employees is equal to 22% of the monthly income chosen by the employee. In which, the monthly income used as the basis for social insurance contribution is at least equal to the poverty line in rural areas and at most 20 times the base level.

Employees can choose one of the following payment methods: Monthly payment; 3-month payment; 6-month payment; 1-time payment for many years (maximum 5 years) at a lower level than the monthly payment or 1-time payment for the remaining years (maximum 10 years) at a higher level than the prescribed monthly payment.