HCM City, July 9 -- The HCM City Department of Labour , Invalids and Social Affairs would take whatever measures are needed in the second half of the year to safeguard workers' incomes and jobs , which have been affected by the COVID-19 pandemic, Le Minh Tan, its director, has promised.

More than 327,000 workers in the city were laid off in the first half, he said. Tourism and other services were the hardest hit with some 4,400 enterprises being affected and 100,000-120,000 workers laid off.

To protect workers' rights, the department has set up working groups to support businesses and ensure employees are treated in accordance with legal provisions, he said.

"Enterprises that lay off workers must notify them 45 days in advance."

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