[18 Jan. 2015] —  The ILO has been supporting Viet Nam on the reform of the Social Insurance Law since the end of 2012 through the “Strengthening the performance of the social insurance system in Viet Nam through improved legislation and legal framework for social insurance” project in accordance with the Recommendations and Conventions of the International Labour Organization (ILO) based on the framework of Viet Nam’s Decent Work Country Programme (DWCP). The overall objective is to strengthen the quality and performance of the legislation and  legal  framework  for  social insurance in Viet Nam, thus improving the performance of the social insurance  system  and  contributing  to  the  economic  development  and social security of the country.

In addition, ILO also implements the “Strengthening mechanisms for Implementation of Unemployment Insurance Law” project. The project also is expected to contribute to expanding the influence of two up-to-date ILO Conventions that relate to UI: the Social security (Minimum Standards) Convention, 1952 (No. 102) and the Employment Promotion and Protection against Unemployment Convention, 1988 (No 168).

Both of the projects which are funded by the One UN Fund are ended in December 2014. As such, ILO has contracted Economica Vietnam to implement the evaluations of the two project. The evaluation assess to which extent the projects have achieved its immediate objectives with special focus on its relevance, effectiveness, impact, sustainability and efficiency. It includes consideration to which extent the actions have made contributions toward achieving relevant Viet Nam’s DWCP outcomes and national development strategies. In particular, the focus is also on assessing the (emerging) impacts of the interventions (either positive or negative) and the sustainability of the project’s benefit and the local partners’ strategy and capacity to sustain them.  The evaluations also look at strengths and weaknesses, opportunities and challenges and any external factors that have affected the achievement of the immediate objectives and the delivery of the outputs.  The evaluations also test underlying assumptions about contributions to a broader development goal. The evaluations draw lessons and propose following-up actions to be eventually considered under a second phase. 

·         Relevance and strategic fit

·         Validity of design  

·         Project progress and effectiveness

·         Adequacy and efficiency of resource use

·         Effectiveness of management arrangements

·         Impact orientation & sustainability

The evaluations of the two projects have been completed by Economica Vietnam. The evaluations results were submitted to ILO and also shared with different stakeholders of the two projects, including the National Assembly, MOLISA, the Viet Nam Social Security (at both national and provincial level), employer’s representatives (VCCI and VCA), the VGCL. DOLISA at provincial levels and business associations representing the business sectors. Key lessons learnt from the evaluations were also discussed with ILO and MOLISA for the purpose of supporting the formulation of new projects between the two institutions in the field of social insurance and unemployment insurance in the years to come.