Mergers and streamlining of organizational structures.

Sharing his views with a reporter from the Industry and Trade Newspaper regarding the merger and streamlining of organizational structures, Associate Professor Dr. Dinh Trong Thinh – an economic expert – stated that reorganizing staffing and streamlining the state civil servant apparatus is one of the important issues to improve labor productivity, create momentum to promote growth, and make the economy develop better.

Streamlining the system and creating breakthroughs is a revolution. (Photo: MH)

According to him, currently in Vietnam, there is one civil servant for every nine people, while in other countries there is only one civil servant for every several hundred people. Thus, the number of administrative staff in Vietnam is excessive. In previous years, up to 70% of the state budget was for recurrent expenditures. This figure decreased later but still remains at 60-70%. However, since 2020, partly due to the Covid-19 pandemic, the state budget has increased spending on healthcare, social welfare support, and production support, thus increasing recurrent expenditures. The large proportion of recurrent budget spending will leave little money for development investment. Borrowing for investment will become even more difficult. Therefore, innovation, reform, and streamlining of the workforce are necessary.

This is not something we are only seeing now. In fact, we have seen and done this before, and have achieved some important results, initially creating positive changes in reforming and reorganizing the apparatus, and improving the effectiveness and efficiency of the agencies, units, and organizations within the political system.

Assoc. Prof. Dr. Dinh Trong Thinh

However, the organizational structure remains inconsistent, lacking a comprehensive approach, and not yet linked to downsizing, restructuring, and improving the quality of cadres, civil servants, and public employees. The political system's organizational structure remains cumbersome, with many layers and multiple points of contact; the functions, tasks, powers, and working relationships of many agencies, units, and organizations are unclear, overlapping, and redundant; decentralization and delegation of power to localities are not strong, consistent, rational, or adequate to meet the requirements and tasks of the new era…

In recent statements, General Secretary To Lam has consistently emphasized that reforming and reorganizing the political system's apparatus to be streamlined, strong, efficient, effective, and efficient is an urgent requirement of the current practical situation.

The General Secretary, and the Central Committee of the Party in particular, have signaled a reduction and merger of many organizations, units, and agencies on both the Party and Government sides. This is considered one of the important and decisive moves to make the apparatus more streamlined, powerful, efficient, effective, and effective; to avoid overlapping functions and the phenomenon of "dual" functions between Party and State agencies, which easily leads to great waste of resources; and thereby help Vietnam rise to a new era for the nation.

Accordingly, the Politburo has requested that ministries, ministerial-level agencies, and agencies directly under the Government study and propose the merger and closure of some ministries, ministerial-level agencies, and agencies directly under the Government. This will help streamline staffing at both the top and bottom levels. This is not a mechanical addition but rather a consolidation of tasks. From there, it will facilitate work processing and reduce the number of people in charge of tasks. It will build a proactive, flexible mechanism with accountability based on specific tasks.

Setting a good example from above will help motivate those below. Of course, this depends on many factors. First, it depends on the mindset of the person in charge of organizing and structuring the system. Second, this organization must clearly define the tasks; only then can we assign suitable personnel and select those who are dedicated, capable, and talented.

We hope that streamlining the organizational structure, along with clearly defining the titles and responsibilities of each job within the management system, will contribute to improving production capacity and efficiency. This will not only enable us to implement salary reforms and reduce regular state budget expenditures, but also create momentum to promote reform and innovation throughout the national economy in the new era of 2025-2030 and beyond.

Regarding the issue of streamlining the administrative apparatus, at the meeting with voters in Hung Yen city on the afternoon of December 2nd, reporting on the results of the 8th session of the 15th National Assembly and listening to the opinions and suggestions of voters, General Secretary To Lam clearly stated that all levels and sectors from the central to the grassroots must demonstrate the highest political determination in implementing this policy with the spirit of "the central government sets the example, and the provinces and districts follow," and must act urgently.

Each level and sector must adhere closely to the plan to summarize and propose models for their respective agencies and units, ensuring timely progress (ministries and sectors must complete this by December 2024); aiming towards the common goal of completing and reporting to the Central Committee the plan for restructuring and consolidating the organizational apparatus of the political system in the first quarter of 2025.

Streamlining does not mean mechanically cutting positions, but rather eliminating unnecessary roles and reducing inefficient work, thereby focusing resources on key areas and truly deserving and suitable personnel. We must not allow government agencies to become "safe havens" for incompetent officials.

Each agency and unit must effectively carry out political and ideological work and implement policies and regulations for cadres, Party members, civil servants, and employees affected by organizational restructuring; ensuring fairness, transparency, objectivity, and preventing complications. Streamlining the apparatus requires sacrifice from cadres and Party members.

Source: https://congthuong.vn/sap-nhap-tinh-gon-bo-may-to-chuc-cuoc-cach-mang-de-vuon-minh-362352.html