The Ministry of Home Affairs has issued Official Dispatch 1814, providing guidance on the implementation of Decree No. 178/2024/ND-CP and Decree No. 67/2025/ND-CP. These decrees outline policies and regimes for officials, civil servants, public employees, workers, and armed forces involved in the restructuring of the political system's apparatus.
According to the Ministry, the guidance specifies how to determine the current monthly salary for calculating allowances. Notably, certain allowances such as responsibility allowance, hazardous allowance, regional allowance, attraction allowance, and others will not be included in the current monthly salary. However, leadership position allowances that are preserved will be factored into the current monthly salary.
For officials on unpaid leave or sick leave, the current monthly salary is defined as the salary of the month immediately preceding the leave. Additionally, the base salary will be calculated based on the salary of the month before the leave, as per the amendments in Decree No. 178 and Decree No. 67.
As for calculating allowances based on years of service with social insurance contributions, the Ministry clarified that individuals who retire before July 1, 2025, will be entitled to allowances based on their years of work. Specifically, those with 15 or more years of compulsory social insurance will receive an allowance equivalent to four months of their current salary for the first 15 years. For each subsequent year of service, they will receive an additional 0.5 months of their current salary.
In terms of evaluation criteria for officials, civil servants, public employees, and workers, Decree No. 178, along with its amendments, has established common principles and criteria for uniform application across ministries and localities. Each ministry or locality is expected to develop specific criteria based on their unique circumstances.
Furthermore, the Ministry has emphasized the need for thorough evaluations even for those who voluntarily resign. This ensures that all resignations are in accordance with the established criteria under the decrees.
The guidance also addresses the eligibility for early retirement. It specifies that officials, civil servants, and public employees in leadership positions will be directly affected by the restructuring process if their numbers exceed the prescribed limits. Those working under labor contracts who signed before January 15, 2019, and have transitioned to new contracts are also eligible for early retirement benefits.
For district-level officials, the time of resignation to benefit from policies will be calculated from when the district ceases operations as per the competent authority's decision. Similarly, officials affected by the restructuring of administrative units during the periods of 2019-2021 and 2023-2025, who resign after January 1, 2025, will also fall under the provisions of Decree No. 178.
In cases where public employees are unable to be reassigned after the transfer of responsibilities regarding drug rehabilitation from the Ministry of Labor, Invalids and Social Affairs to the Ministry of Public Security, local authorities are responsible for addressing their retirement benefits according to the regulations set forth in Decree No. 178.
On the matter of workers who have spent at least 15 years in strenuous or hazardous jobs, or in economically and socially difficult regions, they will be eligible for retirement benefits under the 2014 Social Insurance Law if they meet the necessary criteria.
Moreover, those involved in the restructuring process at various administrative levels are also covered under these new policies, ensuring that they receive the appropriate benefits as mandated.
The Ministry of Home Affairs has reported that it is working to resolve outstanding issues regarding redundant officials at the commune level due to the restructuring that took place from 2019 to 2021. The Ministry encourages these officials to consider early retirement before the completion of the restructuring roadmap.
Overall, the new guidance from the Ministry of Home Affairs aims to clarify and streamline the policies surrounding retirement and allowances for officials and civil servants impacted by the ongoing restructuring of the political system. This is part of a broader effort to ensure that those affected are treated fairly and according to the law.
As the implementation of these decrees progresses, officials and employees are urged to stay informed about their rights and the specific criteria that apply to their situations. The Ministry remains committed to providing support and guidance as needed during this transitional period.
