HCM City (VNA), April 9 -- As many as 9,000 poor and near-poor households in Ho Chi Minh City that have been affected by the COVID-19 pandemic will receive monthly relief payments of 1 million VND (42 USD) each for three months, starting in April, according to the municipal Department of Labour, Invalids and Social Affairs.

Up to 15,000 families who have made great contributions to the nation will receive monthly cash payments of 500,000 VND (21 USD) per household for three months to overcome difficulties due to the pandemic, said Le Minh Tan, director of the department.

A total of 600,000 workers who were laid off or put on leave without pay due to the direct impact of the COVID-19 pandemic will be provided 1 million VND a person a mon...