Department of Legal Affairs, Ministry of Labor, Invalids and Social Affairs (MOLISA) organized semi-online workshop on Evaluating the adaptability of the legal system in the field of labor and social affairs in the context of the covid-19 pandemic (in particular) and natural disasters and epidemics (in general)" on 13 April 2021 in Hanoi. This activity is one of the covid-19-related activities to support the MOLISA in coping with the covid-19 pandemic from additional fund of the Government of Federal Republic of Germany through the GIZ Social Dimension of Sustainable Green Growth in Vietnam (the Project GIZ).

Attending the workshop were representatives from central ministries such as the MOLISA, Ministry of Justice, Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development, Department of Labor Invalids and Social Affairs from different provinces of Vinh Phuc, Hai Duong, Hung Yen, etc. experts, lecturers from Vietnamese Universities and online participation of international experts from Australia and Germany.

At the workshop, there were 03 papers presented. The first presentation was the research report on reviewing and evaluating the adaptability of legal system in the field of labor and social affairs in the context of covid-19 pandemic presented by the team of Vietnamese experts. The second one was the presentation of Dr. Le Chau Ngoc Toan, lecturer of Monash University Australia on policy responses to support businesses and laborers during covid-19 pandemic from Australia. The presentation of Dr. Andreas Plate, Attorney-at-law, Munich and Cologne focused on analyzing the process and experience of the Federal Republic of Germany in amending the Law on Disease Protection to address emergent situations and to prevent the spread of Covid-19 epidemic in Germany.

Given the context of travel restriction, international experts from Australia and Germany had virtual presentations and discussions at the workshop. However, the topic and content as well as findings of the papers drew great attention of many participants. Sharing of Vietnamese experts provided information on the current situation of MOLISA legal system and gaps that need to be filled in emergency situations to ensure timely and effective support of the government for workers, employers, and other social protection beneficiaries. Many comments on criteria to assess the adaptability of law on labor and social affairs as well as suggestions on subjects and legal regulations that need to be amended were shared at the workshop.

Department of Legal Affairs, MOLISA, as the unit chaired the workshop, highly appreciated sharing and feedbacks at the workshop and requested the local experts to continue completing the reports to submit to the Department of Legal Affairs. Dr. Nguyen Van Binh - Director of the Department of  Legal Affairs, MOLISA emphasized the significance of this research activity on developing a report on legal review in the context of covid-19 pandemic and affirmed that the results of these studies will be absorbed and used by MOLISA as an important source of information, which is collected based on evidence and practice, combined with international experience to develop the report to the Prime Minister on review and completion of the legal system in the field of Labor, Invalids and Social Affairs in the context of the Covid-19 pandemic in particular and the prevention and response to natural disasters and epidemics in general.

The successful implementation of this activity could again mark the meaningful contribution of GIZ in assisting the Vietnamese government to improve the effectiveness of its governance, better dealing with issues caused by the corona virus to ensure the inclusive and sustainable development of the country, especially in the complex development of covid-19 pandemic worldwide.

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For more information, please contact: Ms. My Tran, Project Officer

Project “Social Dimension of Sustainable Green Growth”

Email: my.tran@giz.de