Resolution No. 68/NQ-CP takes important steps towards expanding the coverage and effectiveness of Government relief packages in Vietnam by including new categories of workers to the beneficiaries of government support, and lowering the administrative burden imposed to beneficiaries.

Both employees and employers that are affected by the COVID-19 pandemic can gain access to the Government’s support package worth VND26 trillion (US$1.13 billion) from July 8.

Without a more effective business support package, the country’s goal of 6.5% in gross domestic product (GDP) growth for this year will be hard to be achieved as the GDP growth in the first six months of 2021 is forecast to reach only 5.8%, according to experts.

The Vietnam General Confederation of Labour (VGCL) has recently recommended the Government use its VND62 trillion (USS$2.6 billion) aid package to support workers affected by the COVID-19 pandemic.

Vietnam Airlines lost VND11,098 billion (over US$481 million) in 2020 due to the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic, according to its recently-released financial report.

VOV.VN - Ho Chi Minh City will work alongside economic experts to devise orientations for a new bailout package, with local firms hardest hit by the COVID-19 pandemic expected to receive the package with interest rates of 0%, according to Nguyen Thanh Phong, chairman of the HCM City People's Committee.

VOV.VN - A second support package is necessary in order to help local firms overcome the economic impact of the COVID-19 pandemic, recover, and restructure their operations in an effective manner, according to insiders.

Though the Government has taken decisive steps to curb the impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic, there are still risks to the economy, economists said at a seminar in Hanoi on October 15.

Labourers from the informal sector who have been seriously affected by COVID-19 pandemic will benefit from the second support package proposed by the Ministry of Labour, Invalids and Social Affairs (MoLISA).

The new virus outbreak has affected 70% of local firms with 3.5-5 million people laid off or set to have their work hours reduced according to the Ministry of Labour, Invalids and Social Affairs.