Removing obstacles for voluntary social insurance.

(Baonghean) - In recent times, the Provincial Social Insurance Agency has focused on promoting the development and expansion of voluntary social insurance participation through practical and specific solutions. However, the coverage of voluntary social insurance in the province remains low. Workers are still not very enthusiastic or do not have the means to participate in this advantageous type of insurance.

Uneven development

According to statistics from the provincial Social Insurance agency, as of May 31, 2017, the number of people participating in voluntary social insurance was 23,760, an increase of 654 people compared to the end of 2016. Among these, some districts had high numbers of participants, such as Quynh Luu (2,865 people), Dien Chau (2,819 people), and Do Luong (2,484 people).

In addition, some districts have very low participation rates, such as Tuong Duong district, with fewer than 200 participants. Thus, it can be seen that localities with relatively equal incomes and developed economies have higher participation rates, and vice versa.

Most self-employed 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's Social Insurance agency has regularly coordinated with functional departments at the district level and the People's Committees of communes and towns, as well as social insurance collection agents in all 39 communes and towns, to effectively disseminate information about the benefits of social insurance to the people through local radio broadcasts; distributing leaflets; and sending district Social Insurance officials and staff directly to communes and towns to conduct awareness campaigns about the Social Insurance Law...

Mr. Bui Thanh Loc, Director of the Social Insurance Office of Dien Chau District, said: “To encourage people to participate in voluntary social insurance, in addition to doing a good job of propaganda, we are promoting the effective implementation of policies and regulations for voluntary social insurance participants to build trust among the people. Because only when people understand the benefits of participating in voluntary social insurance and have confidence will they feel secure in participating.”

Ms. Nguyen Thi Huong, from Dien Phong commune (Dien Chau district), participated in compulsory social insurance for over 15 years before moving abroad to settle. However, she continued to participate in voluntary social insurance, contributing over 1.3 million VND per month, paying every six months for the remaining months.

"The great thing here is that those participating in voluntary social insurance can choose to pay in a lump sum, monthly, or quarterly. I think this is a very favorable condition for those participating in voluntary social insurance; it's a very flexible and suitable policy, especially for those who participate in insurance but live far from their hometown, or those who don't have the means to travel," Ms. Huong shared.

However, not all workers share the same understanding as Ms. Nguyen Thi Huong. In reality, the task of expanding the number of participants in voluntary social insurance still faces many difficulties.

Most districts, towns, and cities have people participating in voluntary social insurance; however, this is mainly concentrated in economically developed areas. In areas with difficult economic conditions and low general education levels, the rate of voluntary social insurance participation is very low. For example, in Tuong Duong district, with 18 communes and towns, according to statistics from the district's social insurance agency, only nearly 200 people participate, a decrease of more than 100 people compared to 2015. For people in mountainous areas, with their current living standards, pursuing voluntary social insurance for 20 years is very difficult.

Mr. Nguyen Cong Hoa, Director of the Social Insurance Office of Tuong Duong District, said: “Every year, the district's Social Insurance Office develops a plan for public awareness campaigns, but the effectiveness is not high because the living standards and income of the people are too low. Currently, we have been disseminating information about the new government regulations on social insurance support levels for eligible individuals, hoping that in the future, the number of voluntary social insurance participants will increase.”

Efforts to overcome difficulties

Voluntary social insurance is a type of social insurance that workers voluntarily participate in, choosing the contribution level and payment method that suits their income in order to receive benefits as prescribed. The target group for voluntary social insurance is very broad; any Vietnamese citizen aged 15 and above who is not participating in compulsory social insurance can participate.

It can be seen that the main participants in voluntary social insurance are self-employed workers and those in agriculture and forestry, who often have low and unstable incomes. Although the voluntary social insurance contribution rate varies according to the contributor's ability, the lowest rate currently is 22% (meaning participants must pay at least 154,000 VND/month), which is a significant amount for self-employed workers and those in rural and mountainous areas of the province.

Furthermore, the minimum social insurance contribution period to be eligible for retirement benefits extends to 20 years, requiring perseverance and trust, while many workers are not yet fully aware of the meaning and importance of social insurance for their future.

People receive their social insurance benefits at the People's Committee of Xuan Lam commune (Nam Dan district). Photo: Thanh Thuy

Recognizing the challenges, the provincial Social Insurance agency will continue to promote solutions to expand the number of voluntary social insurance participants in the coming period. Accordingly, public awareness campaigns are identified as the leading "spearhead" in this effort.

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

In addition, according to Ms. Tran Thi Ha, Head of the Revenue Management Department of the Provincial Social Insurance Agency, in the coming time, the Social Insurance sector will consider expanding the network of voluntary social insurance collection agents, striving to ensure that every village, hamlet, and residential area has a collection agent or voluntary social insurance collection point. At the same time, guidance and training on voluntary social insurance policies will be provided to collection agents to coordinate in disseminating information and providing advice to the people.

Notably, from January 1, 2018, those participating in voluntary social insurance receive a government subsidy equivalent to 10% of the contribution rate based on the rural poverty line. For workers classified as near-poor, the subsidy is 25% (equivalent to VND 38,500/month); for workers classified as poor, the subsidy is 30% (equivalent to VND 46,200/month). It is hoped that this will encourage more people to participate in voluntary social insurance, ensuring social security and healthcare for the population.

Canh Nam