There are policies to help grassroots staff feel secure in their work.

Discussing at the 10th Session of the 15th National Assembly, National Assembly Deputy Thach Phuoc Binh (Vinh Long) earnestly requested the Government, the Ministry of Home Affairs and central agencies to soon study and issue guidelines for synchronous adjustment, creating fairness among localities, helping grassroots cadres feel secure in their work and wholeheartedly serve the people.

The extended arm of the government

In our country's political system, the non-professional cadres in hamlets and villages, including Party cell secretaries, hamlet chiefs, heads of the Front work committee or hamlet chiefs, police officers, and mass organizations, are the direct and regular forces closely associated with the people. These are the people who go to every alley, knock on every door, check every subject, contribute to conveying the Party's policies and the State's laws to each household, and at the same time promptly grasp the people's thoughts and aspirations to reflect to higher levels, helping the grassroots government operate effectively.

Not only doing propaganda work, this team also solves most of the problems arising at the grassroots level, from security, order, reconciliation, prevention and fight against social evils to mass mobilization work, poverty reduction, new rural construction and civilized urban areas. According to delegate Thach Phuoc Binh, they are truly "an extension of the government, a bridge to the people's hearts".

National Assembly Deputy Thach Phuoc Binh (Vinh Long) speaks at the discussion session on the socio-economic situation, the 10th Session, 15th National Assembly. Photo: Pham Thang

However, currently the allowances, benefits and policies for this force are still low, not commensurate with the volume and nature of work, while most of them have no other source of income.

According to the provisions of Decree No. 33/2023/ND-CP of the Government , hamlet and village positions are entitled to receive concurrent allowances and monthly support, but in reality, the average level is only about 1 - 1.5 basic salary levels, while the workload is increasing, the pressure is increasing, in some localities with better budget conditions, they have proactively provided additional support. However, because there is no unified guidance, the allowance levels differ quite a lot between localities, leading to comparisons, affecting the psychology and work motivation of this team.

More notably, when retiring, most hamlet and village cadres do not receive severance pay, social insurance or any other benefits, even though some have continuously contributed for over 10 years, even 20 years. The lack of support policies when retiring makes many people feel disadvantaged, affecting the spirit of long-term commitment and the quality of activities of the political system at the grassroots level.

Allowances commensurate with workload

From the above practices, delegate Thach Phuoc Binh proposed a number of specific solutions and policies. Firstly , it is necessary to promptly adjust and increase the monthly allowance for hamlet and village positions, increasing by at least 30-50% compared to the current level, ensuring that it is commensurate with the current workload and spending level. Along with that, allow the Provincial People's Council to issue a supplementary allowance mechanism from the local budget, especially in difficult areas, remote areas, and ethnic minority areas.

Second , research on the application of responsibility allowances, seniority allowances or special public service allowances for key positions such as hamlet chiefs, party cell secretaries, heads of the Front work committees, and permanent police officers. These are positions that are under heavy work pressure, frequently in contact with and solve people's problems, so they need to be properly supported to help maintain a sense of responsibility and sustainability in their work.

Trung Hiep Commune Public Administration Service Center, Vinh Long Province. Photo: Huu Chung

Third , regarding the policy on retirement or termination of work, it is proposed to supplement the one-time subsidy regime for hamlet and village cadres who have worked for 10 years or more, with an average allowance of 0.5 to 1 month for each year of work. For those who have participated in voluntary social insurance, it is necessary to allow the addition of working time in hamlets and villages to calculate social insurance benefits if there is confirmation from the People's Committee at the commune level.

Fourth , we should consider recognizing and honoring the contributions of grassroots cadres by awarding certificates of merit, commemorative medals or badges for serving the people as a way to show gratitude and encourage those who have silently devoted themselves to the grassroots for many years. Localities with conditions should allocate a portion of their budget to establish a Fund to support grassroots cadres who have retired from work, similar to the Gratitude Fund, to ensure humane policies, encourage the spirit and stabilize the thinking of this team after they retire.

“The policy of increasing allowances and supporting hamlet and village cadres when they retire not only has material significance but also demonstrates the Party and State's concern for the force directly close to the people, close to the people, and understanding the people. This is a humane policy, in line with the people's wishes, contributing to consolidating a strong grassroots political system, increasing the great national unity bloc, stabilizing socio-politics and maintaining people's trust in the government,” emphasized delegate Thach Phuoc Binh.

Source: https://daibieunhandan.vn/co-chinh-sach-de-doi-ngu-can-bo-co-so-yen-tam-cong-tac-10397219.html