Vietnam Agencies Asked to Finish Compensation for Formosa Victims by end-June

Vietnam’s Deputy Prime Minister Truong Hoa Binh has asked related agencies and localities to complete the compensation through the end of June for people who have suffered from the environmental disaster caused by Taiwan-invested Formosa Hung Nghiep Ha Tinh Steel Corp. The Ministries of Finance, Agriculture and Rural Development, Natural Resources and Environment, and Industry and Trade need to cooperate with authorities in four disaster-hit provinces of Ha Tinh, Quang Binh, Quang Tri, and Thua Thien-Hue to complete the money delivery by June. In addition, the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development and the Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment need to keep a close watch on onshore catching in the disaster-prone areas until having official announcement of water safety by the Ministry of Health. A week ago, Mr. Binh said at a meeting that the government will set up four delegations to inspect the compensation in the localities. The deputy PM affirmed that the government would make efforts to ensure no fraud or corruption takes place in the delivery. He also asked local authorities to make sure that no social disorder will happen in their localities. He also affirmed that Formosa will be allowed to discharge waste if it closely follows requirements of waste release. According to The Economist, at least 200,000 people were directly affected by Formosa-caused environmental disaster. (VnEconomy Mar 16, Dau Tu – Investment Mar 16, VOV Mar 16)