The recent 5^th session of the Da Nang People’s Council in its 10^th tenure during the 2021-2026 term has approved many social welfare policies supporting people financially affected by the COVID-19 pandemic. These policies have received high consensus from agencies, units, businesses and people from all walks of life.

Employees of the VPBO Joint Stock Company based at the Da Nang Software Park

Reducing the burden on people and businesses

As a business owner who is renting an office at the Da Nang Software Park, Director of VPBO Joint Stock Company Tran Manh Huy shared that he was excited with the municipal People’s Council approved a 50% reduction in office rental fees in August, 2021 for businesses.

Over the past time, the business community, and the VPBO Joint Stock Company in particular, have faced many difficulties due to the COVID-19 pandemic, with a sharp drop in revenue.

“The city's rental discount policy helps businesses save a lot of money, even more, feel warm and not alone when they overcome difficulties amidst the city’s fight against the pandemic. At the same time, it shows the city's interest, care and companionship for businesses to overcome objective difficulties,” emphasised Mr. Huy.

In addition to supporting office rental fees for businesses at the Da Nang Software Park, the municipal People’s Council also agreed to waive the stall rents for six months (from May to October 2021) for traders touting for bossiness at the Hoa Cuong wholesale market and a traditional market located on the former Da Nang Supermarket.

Trader Truong Thi Hien said that the business situation at the aforementioned market was difficult, the number of buyers decreased by about 70% ass compared to the pre-COVID time. Stall holders trading in fresh products are always in a state of anxiety over unsatisfactory sales and a significant decrease in income whereas expenses still have to be covered and high consumer prices make their family's living conditions turn more difficult.

“This is a humane and timely policy that shows the municipal authorities’ companionship, closeness and kind concern to disadvantaged people in general, and small traders at Da Nang Supermarket in particular. We also believe that, with such  timely and reasonable support policies, the city’s socio-economic situation will gradually recover and develop,” said Ms. Hien.

The COVID-19 situation is still complicated, the number of new cases per day is still high, causing people to spend money on testing for the virus.

Ms. Dang Thi Hao, residing in Son Tra District said that 10 days ago, two children had symptoms of fever and cough, so the whole family of four went to the ward medical station for quick tests. Here, her family pays the testing cost of VND90,000/person.

After more than a week of isolation and treatment at home, the whole family went back to a ward-level medical station to test again, but they paid VND80,000/person. Thus, after two test rounds, her family has to pay a total of VND680,000.

Therefore, the city's adoption of support policies for people in the face of the pandemic, especially the price of SARS- CoV-2 Ag single rapid test of only VND11,200 VND/ apiece at this time is very reasonable, thereby helping people reduce the cost burden when confirmed or suspected of contracting COVID-19.

Timely and humane policies

For more than 10 days at hospital to take care of her 4-year-old daughter infected with COVID-19, Ms. Bui Thi Cuc living in Thanh Khe District said that after taking care of her children, she still had to cover the many other expenses such as food and nutrition. Meanwhile, her family’s income is not stable, so she feels extremely tired and worried.

“The city’s approval of offering a grant of VND80,000 for meals/day for children aged under 6 during treatment and isolation at concentrated medical facilities helps parents to partly reduce their economic burden. I and many others are so pleased with this humane and timely supportive policy”, said Ms. Cuc.

Deputy Director of the Department of Labour, War Invalids and Social Affairs Nguyen Van An assessed that the resolutions passed at the recent 5^th session of the Da Nang People’s Council in its 10th tenure during the 2021-2026 term are full of humanity with timely support and eligible beneficiaries.

These supportive schemes, when deployed, help agencies, businesses and people to solve immediate economic difficulties triggered by the pandemic. From there, there will be more motivation for the community to join hands with the local authorities to restore the economy.

According to Mr. An, over the past time, in addition to the Prime Minister's decisions on supporting needy people, the city has issued more support policies for disadvantaged and disadvantaged people, those with meritorious services, and workers, manual labourers across the city, especially during holidays and Tet.

In the first quarter of 2022, while the price of petrol and oil escalated, being fully aware of COVID-sparked financial difficulties facing the people, the municipal administration has paid more attention and promulgate more social welfare policies that received a great response and consensus from the public.

Reporting by XUAN DUNG, TRI DUNG – Translating by A.THU