Eliminate the position of commune police chief, increase commune civil servants according to population size

The Ministry of Interior has just announced the basic new points of Government Decree No. 33 dated June 10, 2023, regulating officials and civil servants at the commune level and non-professional personnel working at the commune, village, and residential group levels.

Accordingly, one of the new points of the Decree is that it does not specify the title of commune police chief (because regular police officers have already been assigned to the commune level).

Regarding the number of commune-level officials, civil servants, and non-professional personnel, the Decree adds a provision to increase (without a maximum limit) the number of commune-level officials and non-professional personnel in commune-level administrative units with a population size and natural area higher than the standards stipulated in Resolution No. 1211/2016 (amended and supplemented by Resolution No. 27 of the Standing Committee of the National Assembly ).

According to current regulations, based on the current regulations on the total number of commune-level officials and civil servants (23, 21, and 19 people for type I, II, and III wards, and 22, 20, and 18 people for type I, II, and III communes and towns) and the current regulations on the total number of part-time personnel at the commune level (14, 12, and 10 people for type I, II, and III communes).

The new decree stipulates that the number of officials and civil servants should be increased in proportion to the population size and natural area.

Specifically, based on population size, for wards within districts, for every increase of 1/3 of the prescribed level, one additional civil servant and one additional non-specialized staff member are allowed; for other administrative units, for every increase of 1/2 of the prescribed level, one additional civil servant and one additional non-specialized staff member are allowed.

Based on natural area, in addition to increasing civil servants and non-professional personnel according to the population size mentioned above, each commune-level administrative unit is allowed to add 1 civil servant and 1 non-professional personnel for every increase of 100% of the prescribed level;

The Decree stipulates that the number of commune-level officials, civil servants, and part-time workers in each district under its management shall be determined by the Provincial People's Committee and submitted to the Provincial People's Council for decision, in accordance with practical requirements. However, it must ensure that the total number of commune-level officials, civil servants, and part-time workers for the entire province as stipulated in this Decree does not exceed the total number of commune-level officials, civil servants, and part-time workers for the entire province.

Event - Abolishing the position of commune police chief, increasing commune civil servants according to population size. — The decree clearly stipulates the standards for commune-level officials and civil servants based on a competency framework from university level and above (Illustrative image).

Based on the total number of officials, civil servants, and part-time workers at the commune level assigned by the Provincial People's Council, the District People's Committee decides on the number and specific allocation of officials, civil servants, and part-time workers in each commune-level administrative unit to suit practical requirements, but must ensure that it does not exceed the total number of commune-level officials, civil servants, and part-time workers assigned to the district by the Provincial People's Council.

Regarding the number of part-time officials in villages and residential areas, the Ministry of Interior stated that villages and residential areas are self-governing organizations of the community, not a level of government. The Decree continues to stipulate three positions for part-time officials (including Party branch secretary, village head or residential area leader, and head of the Fatherland Front working committee) and those directly involved in activities in villages and residential areas.

At the same time, the authority is delegated to the Provincial People's Committee to submit to the Provincial People's Council specific regulations on the titles and number of people directly participating in activities in villages and residential areas under its management, in accordance with practical requirements;

Another new point announced by the Ministry of Interior is that the Decree clearly stipulates the standards (competency framework from university level and above, except where the law or the organization's charter provides otherwise) and duties (job descriptions) for each position and title (job position) of commune-level officials and civil servants.

In cases where individuals are currently commune-level officials or civil servants but do not yet meet the required standards, the transitional provisions stipulate that they must meet the required standards within 5 years from the effective date of the Decree.

If the prescribed standards are not met within this period, retirement (if eligible) or workforce reduction policies as stipulated by the Government will be implemented. This Decree takes effect from August 1, 2023 .

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