Over 1.4 million people become unemployed in 2021 due to COVID-19: GSO
More than 1.4 million Vietnamese were unemployed in 2021, up 203,700 from the previous year or 17 percent, due to impacts of the worst-ever fourth wave of COVID-19 infections for months, data from the General Statistics Office (GSO) showed.
Hanoi (VNA) – More than 1.4 million Vietnamesewere unemployed in 2021, up 203,700 from the previous year or 17 percent, dueto impacts of the worst-ever fourth wave of COVID-19 infections for months, data from theGeneral Statistics Office (GSO) showed.
The new strategy on flexibly living with the pandemic hasallowed the labour market to rebound in the final quarter of last year, GSODeputy General Director Nguyen Trung Tien told a press conference announcing thelabour data in Q4 of 2021 and Vietnam’s Human Development Index from 2016 – 2020 heldin Hanoi on January 6.
The workforce of 15 years old and above reached 50.7 million in Q4, an increase of 1.7million or 3.47 percent from the previous quarter. However, the figure is1.4 million or 2.7 percent lower than the same period of 2020, he noted.
The workforce participation rate was 67.7 percent in the lastquarter of 2021, up 2.1 percentage points quarter-on-quarter but down 2.6 percentagepoints year-on-year. The rate was higher in rural areas (69.3 percent) thanurban areas (65.3 percent).
Compared to Q3, the number of workers in the informal sectorrose by 7.4 percent to 19.4 million in Q4.
“It is obvious that the labour market was recovering but therecovery was not sustainable,” Tien said.
The workforce of 15 years old and above in 2021 was 50.5 million, down 791,600 from 2020. The urban workforce reached 18.6 million, accounting for 36.8percent of the total. There were 23.5 million female workers nationwide,presenting 46.5 percent of the workforce.
According to the GSO, monthly income averaged 5.3 millionVND (232.91 USD) in Q4, up 139,000 VND quarter-on-quarter but down 624,000 VNDyear-on-year. The average monthly income was 5.7 million VND for the wholeyear, down 32,000 VND year-on-year./.
The severe and prolonged fourth wave of COVID-19 seriously affected the Vietnamese labour market, pushing the rate and number of underemployed people in the third quarter this year to the highest level in the past 10 years.
Due to the fourth COVID-19 wave since April, the Vietnamese labour market has entered a severe crisis with numerous negative records in the third quarter of 2021, making it more difficult than ever for employees’ chances to find jobs.
A number of enterprises are restoring production and recruiting more workers as the fourth wave of COVID-19 infections has been partly controlled, thus creating more opportunities for labourers.
According to Ben Tre authorities, the province will continue to strengthen IUU fishing prevention by enforcing central directives and enhancing public awareness and compliance among local fishing communities.
Trial operations at the new public administrative service centres in Thanh Khe and Ngu Hanh Son wards show that the reception and processing of citizens' documents on the new wards’ data system have been smoothly handled by the staff, enabling quick settlement and facilitating easy access to public services for the people.
The event, the 12th of its kind jointly, was jointly organised by the Vietnamese Embassy in Belgium and Chris Geyskens, Chairwoman of the Belgium chapter of the Hoi An – Vietnam Association for Victims of AO/Dioxin.
The Nguyen Du Lao-Vietnamese bilingual school has positioned itself as a prestigious education establishment, nurturing generations of Vietnamese and Lao students while preserving Vietnamese culture and language as well as strengthening the special bonds between the two countries
For households of people with meritorious service and relatives of fallen soldiers, the province supported the construction and renovation of 2,374 houses, achieving 100% of the set target, 342 newly built and 2,032 renovated.
Held under the theme “Pride and Aspiration”, this year's “Glory to Vietnam” programme aimed to inspire the Vietnamese people's ambition to reach new heights during the era of integration and development.
According to the Central Committee of the Vietnam Red Cross Society (VRC), this year’s campaign provided long-term aid for 3,785 individuals and organisations. Support included houses, clean water systems, school meal facilities, books, and livelihood assistance, with a total value of more than 118 billion VND.
The programmes have brought about positive changes to rural infrastructure, comprehensively improved the material and spiritual lives of farmers, and contributed to Vietnam's economic restructuring, said PM Pham Minh Chinh.
The festival highlighted the contributions and robust development of Vietnam's revolutionary press over the past century while promoting press products and showcasing the creativity of Vietnamese journalists.
The programme on sustainable poverty reduction has achieved its annual targets for reducing the poverty rate as assigned by the National Assembly and the Government. It has fulfilled five specific objectives and five five-year goals, and met nine out of 12 indicators related to addressing basic social service shortages.
UNICEF stands ready to support the Government in implementing this important law and in continuing to invest in teachers as the cornerstone of a resilient, inclusive, and high-quality education system for all children.
PM Pham Minh Chinh highlighted how Vietnam's revolutionary press has continuously evolved and strengthened over the past century, affirming its role as a sharp and vital political, cultural, and ideological weapon serving the Fatherland and the people in the glorious revolutionary cause of the Party.
Vietnamese Consul General in Fukuoka Vu Chi Mai highlighted the growing demand for Vietnamese workers in Kyushu, especially in Fukuoka, Oita, and Saga prefectures. Currently, the region employs about 35,000 Vietnamese manual workers and over 5,000 IT engineers.
In Vietnam’s case, she said, President Ho Chi Minh demonstrated his strategic vision by founding the revolutionary press a century ago. The late leader understood the press's role not only as a means to reflect the country’s realities but also as a powerful tool to strengthen national unity and inspire the resistance wars and national construction process.
In recent interviews granted to the Vietnam News Agency (VNA)'s reporters in Mexico, prominent figures reflected on the press’s legacy and its global influence.
VietnamPlus e-newspaper of the VNA clinched an A prize in the “Outstanding Press Product” category for its immersive 3D multimedia project, “Epic of Reunification,” a groundbreaking blend of storytelling and technology. The VNA won another A prize for its eye-catching exhibition booth.
Today, the press for foreign service has evolved into a distinct, irreplaceable force, bridging Vietnam with the world and portraying a nation that is stable, peace-loving, and fully integrated into the international community.
At a review conference held on June 21, Deputy Minister of Construction Nguyen Van Sinh praised the province’s scientific, coordinated, and flexible approach. He noted that the early completion reflects the strong commitment of local authorities, the business community, philanthropists, and residents in improving housing conditions for disadvantaged groups.
The VNA delegation, led by General Director Vu Viet Trang, actively participated in the event, engaging in both professional and diplomatic activities.
A job fair in Ho Chi Minh City. (Photo: VNA)
