More than 17,600 trade union members and workers have received financial support totaling VND22.73 billion ($951,000), according to the Vietnam General Confederation of Labor.

The workers lost their jobs or worked fewer hours from October 2022 to March 31, 2023 because their employer suffered from falling orders.

The unions are also assessing more than 35,900 documents to continue providing financial assistance to these workers, with an estimated nearly VND56.4 billion ($2.35 million).

Earlier, the Vietnam General Confederation of Labor decided to provide financial assistance to workers who lost jobs or had their working time reduced as businesses suffered from a decline in orders. Under the decision, each eligible worker will receive financial assistance of between VND700,000 ($29.2) and VND3 million ($125), depending on their circumstances.

Unions from localities reported that 1,300 enterprises in 50 cities and provinces have seen orders fall, forcing them to cut working hours or end the working contracts of 546,835 workers from September to the end of December 2022.