Housing for workers remains a burning issue and a matter of great concern, a workers’ forum in late July with 500 delegates representing employees nationwide heard.

“Housing is a pressing issues among workers,” said Ms. Dao Thi Loan, a female worker from southern Binh Duong province. “Most workers, whether in the northern, central, or southern regions or in major cities, rent cheap, small rooms with poor living conditions.”

“The government recently approved a program to build a million affordable homes for workers, and in the draft Law on Housing (revised) the National Assembly (NA) allowed the Vietnam General Confederation of Labor to invest in housing projects for workers. This is good news for us, but I’m still concerned as it is reported that businesses are not really interested in social housing projects.”

“Workers are looking forward to the VND120 trillion ($5 billion) housing credit package for developers, buyers, and renters of social housing projects, stipulated in the government’s one million affordable apartment project,” said Chairman of the SWCC SHOWA Vietnam’s Trade Union, Mr. Nguyen Minh Son.

“Nevertheless, the interest rate of 8.2 per cent per annum remains too high and is difficult for low-income earners to bear, while this preferential rate being only applied five years is too short, causing insecurity among homebuyers.”

Similarly, a member of Viettel Post’s Trade Union called for the NA and the government to pay due regard to housing for workers because it would help them settle down and ensure higher productivity and greater contributions to national construction.

Chairman of the NA’s Committee on Legal Affairs Hoang Thanh Tung said one of the important contents in the draft Law on Housing which has been submitted to the NA, is investment incentives and assistance to encourage the construction of housing for workers.