Kinhtedothi - On October 26, speaking at a group discussion session, Minister of Home Affairs Pham Thi Thanh Tra provided information on salary increases and the reorganization of district and commune-level administrative units.
On the morning of October 26th, continuing the program of the 8th Session, the National Assembly held group discussions on evaluating the results of the implementation of the socio-economic development plan for 2024; and the projected socio-economic development plan for 2025.
Hanoi has done a good job reorganizing 109 commune-level units.
Regarding the reorganization of district and commune-level administrative units, Minister Pham Thi Thanh Tra stated during the group discussion that this is a major policy, a difficult, complex, and sensitive issue, and that many localities have made great efforts recently. Of the 54 localities subject to district and commune-level reorganization, 51 have implemented it, while 3 localities, Binh Phuoc, Dien Bien, and Lai Chau, are unable to do so due to certain factors.
Of the 51 provinces and cities to date, the National Assembly Standing Committee has issued resolutions for 38 localities, leaving 13 remaining. Currently, the National Assembly Standing Committee has received dossiers from 10 localities. The remaining 3 localities, namely Ha Tinh, Ninh Binh, and Tra Vinh, are in the process of completing their dossiers.
Accordingly, 38 district-level units will be reorganized, reducing the number by 9, and 1,176 commune-level units will be reorganized, reducing the number by 562. At the same time, there will be a significant reduction in the number of administrative organizations and public service units; a significant reduction in the number of officials and civil servants, and naturally, there will be a surplus of staff and office space.
Therefore, this restructuring is being implemented more rigorously, with specific plans for localities to complete the restructuring of surplus public assets within 3 years and the restructuring of surplus officials and civil servants within 5 years. This is being implemented very strictly, unlike the previous time.
Evaluating some localities that have performed well, such as Hanoi which reorganized 109 commune-level units; Nam Dinh which reorganized 2 district-level units and 79 commune-level units, resulting in a reduction of 51 commune-level administrative units; and Ho Chi Minh City which also reorganized a very large number, Ms. Pham Thi Thanh Tra said that many localities have not made sufficient efforts, are hesitant to face difficulties and hardships, and have not resolved outstanding issues from the previous phase, thus pushing them into the next phase.
According to Minister of Home Affairs Pham Thi Thanh Tra, no country in the world has administrative units at the district and commune levels as large and imposing as Vietnam's, and the same goes for provincial-level administrative units. Furthermore, no other country spends as much on organizational structure and personnel as Vietnam. The General Secretary's spirit is very determined and requires synchronized implementation across the entire system. This includes the state administrative system, the National Assembly, the Fatherland Front, socio-political organizations, Party agencies, and especially administrative units.
"The spirit of readiness is not just about reorganizing at the district and commune levels. We need to fully understand and agree with the plan, and we must also strive to act as quickly as possible to ensure everything is ready for the Party Congresses at all levels in the localities. We very much hope to achieve the goal, and at the latest by November 15th, everything must be finalized so that we can focus on the Party Congresses at all levels," Minister of Home Affairs Pham Thi Thanh Tra emphasized.
A tremendous effort was made through two adjustments to the base salary.
Minister of Home Affairs Pham Thi Thanh Tra stated that, despite difficulties, the Government has allocated approximately 700,000 billion VND recently, and this figure is projected to reach 930,000 billion VND by 2026, for salary adjustments. In other words, this is a very large sum of money being used to implement salary and insurance benefit policies, adjust pensions, and provide allowances for those who have rendered meritorious services.
However, practical issues remain, and the Government has reported to the Politburo on the policy in the spirit of Conclusion 83-KL/TW on salary reform; adjustment of pensions and social insurance benefits.
Going forward, the Ministry of Interior will continue to review several groups facing practical difficulties, such as administrative and public service staff, teachers, especially preschool teachers, and healthcare workers. This will involve a comprehensive review to propose adjustments to allowances in accordance with the Central Committee's resolution, particularly the Politburo's conclusions. The goal is to ensure that those with specific needs receive more attention and priority, and that their living standards are better protected.
Overall, the basic salary has been adjusted twice recently, with a total increase of 50.8%, including 30% this year. This is a significant effort. Resolution 27 on salary policy reform will be re-evaluated in 2026, and then implemented accordingly. Whether or not the basic salary will be adjusted annually will depend on the country's economic conditions.
"In 2025, we may temporarily halt the program and then make adjustments for some of the aforementioned groups. In 2026, we will continue to make adjustments to improve the living standards of public sector salaried employees, ensuring they are commensurate with the demands of the job in the new context," Minister of Home Affairs Pham Thi Thanh Tra informed.
During the group discussion, delegate Tran Hoang Ngan (Ho Chi Minh City National Assembly delegation) reiterated that five days prior, the Government, wanting to ensure budget balance, had proposed not to consider increasing pensions, public sector salaries, or preferential allowances for meritorious individuals in 2025. "I only partially support this proposal from the Government," delegate Tran Hoang Ngan stated.
According to Representative Tran Hoang Ngan, from July 1, 2024, the basic salary increased to 2.34 million VND/month, so the salaries of public sector officials and employees are slightly better. However, agencies need to pay attention to salaries in the education sector, especially in remote areas, as well as the salaries of doctors and medical staff. "I find the fees for surgeries too low. But more importantly, pensions are very low," Representative Tran Hoang Ngan stated.
Therefore, Representative Tran Hoang Ngan suggested that the Government may not increase public sector salaries, but must increase pensions and social security benefits, as well as preferential allowances for meritorious individuals, by 2025. He argued that not increasing pensions and allowances for meritorious individuals would diminish the joy, as this is a year with many major national holidays such as the 95th anniversary of the founding of the Party, the 80th anniversary of the founding of the Democratic Republic of Vietnam, and the 50th anniversary of national reunification. Increasing pensions and allowances for meritorious individuals would also help stimulate consumption.
In addition, delegate Tran Hoang Ngan also proposed increasing the personal allowance and personal income tax to improve people's income and support growth.
Source: https://kinhtedothi.vn/bo-truong-bo-noi-vu-thong-tin-ve-tang-luong-sap-xep-don-vi-hanh-chinh.html
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