HCM City businesses propose support policies

They made the proposal during a meeting with President Nguyễn Xuân Phúc and a delegation of the city’s National Assembly deputies on Saturday.

Lý Kim Chi, Chairwoman of the Food and Foodstuff Association of HCM City, said the Government and the National Steering Committee for COVID-19 Prevention and Control should quickly issue temporary guidance on flexible adaptation to the new normal.

Enterprises should be allowed to draw up their own production plans in line with COVID-19 prevention and control regulations, and take responsibility for the implementation, she said.

Competent agencies would supervise pandemic prevention and control at the firms and strictly handle violations, she said, adding that businesses can be forced to close when necessary.

Chi also proposed the Government prioritize vaccinations for employees engaging in supply chains in southern localities that are closely associated with HCM City’s economy, especially in food and other necessities.

Other voters raised opinions regarding the shortage of workers in the southern economic center, accommodation for workers, and financial policies to support businesses.

Phạm Văn Việt, vice chairman of HCM City Association of Garments, Textiles, Embroidery, and Knitting, said that practical policies and initiatives from the State are much needed to retain workers in the city and maintain the supply chain.

Some examples are providing buses for workers from other provinces to go back to the city, establishing screening and quarantine locations for them at deserted apartment buildings and schools, and putting them in a priority group to get tests and vaccines before returning to work in factories, he said.

He also proposed that the city set aside land to build accommodation for workers in each district, give them discounts on rent and buying houses, and keep the rent prices stable. The authorities should also encourage developers to build social houses for workers and give them incentives to do so, such as lower interest rates, he said.