As economic growth slows, social injustice persists in Vietnam

by Trung Tin
The worldwide economic crisis is undermining Vietnam’s economic model. The effects of economic development based on violating individual liberties and exploiting the population come to the fore.
Hanoi (AsiaNews) – Vietnam’s economy is taking a major hit from the worldwide economic crisis. Inflation is rising, jobs are being lost and widespread corruption among local government officials is negatively impacting the lowest strata of the population.
Data from the government’s Institute of Central Management shows that economic growth last year slowed to 6.3 per cent down from 8.5 per cent a year before.
Despite such levels of growth youth unemployment in rural areas has remained high at about 70 per cent.
During the first quarter of this year the number of jobless rose in the country’s main cities.
In Hanoi, Ho Chi Min City, Binh Duong and Haiphong more than 64,000 young people became unemployed and joined 67,000 who lost their job in 2008 in 41 provinces.
Official figures show that youth unemployment stood at more than 300,000 at the end of last year.
The unpopular policies adopted by Vietnam’s Communist government explain the major social problems that have developed over the past few years.
In order to achieve record economic growth the authorities have trampled human rights like freedom of association, worship and education.
This is especially true at the local level. Earlier this month, when local people’s assemblies were held in various provinces, government representatives had an earful of complaints about “unjust and corrupt local leaders who threaten ordinary Vietnamese citizens.”
The situation is not much better in the cities. In the capital, Hanoi, many residents complained that the city government has failed to pay them compensation for properties it expropriated eight years ago as part of its urban development plans.