Informal workers in Viet Nam, particularly those in high-risk industries such as transportation, construction, agriculture, fishing, and mining, face significant occupational hazards. App-based drivers, in particular, are exposed to constant risks from traffic accidents, robbery, and physical strain. With over one million app-based drivers in Viet Nam, most navigate dangerous roads daily without access to formal social protection. According to the International Labor Organization , nearly 3 million people died from work-related accidents and diseases in 2019, with 395 million workers sustaining non-fatal work injuries, highlighting the urgent need for improved worker protection. To address this, the Government of Viet Nam has passed Decree No. 143/2024/ND-CP , effective from January 1, 2025, allowing self-employed workers, including app-based drivers, to participate in accident insurance voluntarily. This coverage will provide financial security for informal workers, including monthly or one-time allowances in cases of disability or diminished work capacity and coverage for recovery and rehabilitation periods following accident treatment. The Happy Workforce Program offers solutions to support informal workers' access to social insurance through collaboration with businesses to implement state-of-the-art Social and Behavior Change Communication (SBCC) strategies. These strategies include interpersonal communications, AI, and interactive media to effectively raise awareness, facilitate enrolment, and guide workers through the claims process, ensuring they can fully benefit from the coverage. For businesses, supporting informal workers in accessing this insurance can improve workforce stability, enhance employee loyalty, reduce legal liabilities related to workplace accidents, and demonstrate a commitment to corporate social responsibility by prioritizing workers' health and safety. Contact us for more information.

Informal employment accounts for 90% of the total employment in low-income countries, 67% in middle-income countries, and 18% in high-income countries . In agribusiness, informal workers are critical at various stages, from planting and harvesting to distribution, contributing to food security, and supporting rural livelihoods. In the garment sector, they are frequently employed in production and supply chain roles, driving the industry's capacity to respond quickly to global demands. While many value chains strive to achieve decent work for all workers, including those in informal employment, significant challenges persist due to factors such as the lack of national legal and social protection, limited resources, and inadequate social dialogue or effective communication. Women are disproportionately represented in informal employment across Africa, Asia, and Latin America, with young people (aged 15-24) and older individuals (aged 65 and over) also significantly affected. Labor experts identify three main reasons why informal workers are not enthusiastic about joining social insurance schemes. Low-income, unstable, precarious jobs contribute significantly to the reluctance. The non-compulsory nature of social insurance further exacerbates the issue. Additionally, many informal workers have not received comprehensive information about the benefits of social security policies, including social insurance, unemployment insurance, occupational accident and disease insurance, and leave or sickness pay. The low uptake of social insurance can also be attributed to irregular earnings, complex procedures, and insufficient policy inclusion . Investing in initiatives that raise awareness and facilitate informal workers' access to voluntary social insurance can enhance workforce stability and promote gender equality. Such efforts align with international standards, including the ILO Convention on Social Security (No. 102) and the Convention on Domestic Workers (No. 189). In some countries, these initiatives contribute to government efforts to strengthen social security. For example, South Africa and Namibia have made strides in expanding social insurance schemes, and more recently, Viet Nam has improved entitlements for voluntary social insurance by increasing maternity allowances and reducing the minimum contribution period from 20 to 15 years. The Happy Workforce Program is committed to this goal by employing strategic communications to raise awareness and stimulate demand among informal workers for social insurance schemes, particularly by highlighting key benefits through a user-friendly cost-benefit analysis tool and communication materials. Additionally, we collaborate with stakeholders such as value chain actors and government agencies to enhance access through targeted, human-centered, and community-based campaigns. Contact us for a free consultation on how to promote decent work within your value chain.