1. Suspension of Social Insurance Contribution to Retirement and Survivorship Funds
On 17 March 2020, Vietnam Social Security issued Official Letter No. 860/BHXH-BT on the suspension of contribution to retirement and survivorship funds for enterprises in difficulty due to COVID-19. Accordingly, this suspension is applicable to enterprises in service of passenger transport, tourism, accommodation, restaurant and other special industries experiencing difficulties due to COVID-19, which fall under either of the following circumstances:
- Enterprises cannot provide work for employees, in which the number of employees who are subject to social insurance contribution but must temporarily suspend working is 50% or more of the total number of available employees before the business suspension; or
- Enterprises suffer losses greater than 50% of the total value of assets due to COVID-19 (excluding land value).
Such enterprises are eligible to suspend the contribution until June 2020. However, in case COVID-19 pandemic has not been alleviated by the end of June 2020, the enterprises can continue suspending the contribution until December 2020.
After the suspension period, employers and employees still have to make supplementary payment for such period without having to pay interest on late payments.
2. Suspension of Trade Union Fee Contribution
On 18 March 2020, Vietnam General Confederation of Labor (“VGCL”) issued Official Letter No. 245/TLD regarding delay in payment of trade union fee for enterprises meeting difficulties due to COVID-19. In particular, the VGCL allows for the delay of payment of trade union fees during first six months of 2020 until 30 June 2020. Nevertheless, this delay is only applied to enterprises which have at least 50% of the total number of employees who are subject to social insurance contribution but must temporarily suspend working.
By the end of June 2020, if such enterprises still have been adversely affected by COVID-19, the payment of trade union fees can be delayed until 31 December 2020.
It is expected that Vietnamese labor authorities may have further instructions or incentives to help enterprises and employees overcome difficulties in business due to COVID-19 pandemic. We will keep you posted of any further updates.
