The Vietnamese government is set to implement significant reforms in its civil service structure, following the submission of a draft amended Law on Cadres and Civil Servants to the National Assembly. This draft, which consists of eight chapters and 53 articles, marks a reduction of 34 articles compared to the current law, aiming to streamline and enhance the efficiency of the public sector.
Expected to be presented at the upcoming ninth session of the National Assembly, the draft Law revises regulations to create a cohesive link between cadres and civil servants at both the commune and provincial levels. This move is intended to unify the civil service regime across all levels of government, from the central to the local.
According to the Ministry of Home Affairs, the proposed budget to support these changes amounts to approximately 15 trillion VND from the state budget. This funding is intended to address the policies for commune-level cadres and civil servants who do not meet the new job position requirements, which affects about 7.6% of the total 212,606 commune-level civil servants, equating to over 16,150 individuals.
The draft Law also includes transitional provisions for those commune-level cadres and civil servants who were elected or recruited before the new regulations come into effect. These individuals will retain their current positions and salaries until they are reassigned under the new job classifications established by the law. Over a three-year period, provinces and centrally-run cities will be required to restructure their staff according to the approved job position project.
As part of the ongoing reforms, the Central Executive Committee of the Communist Party of Vietnam held its 11th session, where they discussed several key issues, including the integration of provincial-level administrative units and the elimination of district-level administrative units. This plan aims to establish a two-level local government model, which is expected to enhance operational efficiency and reduce administrative overhead.
The Central Executive Committee has agreed to streamline various political and social organizations, merging them into the Vietnam Fatherland Front. This includes the arrangement of five political-social organizations and 30 mass associations under the Front, which will help consolidate efforts and resources.
Moreover, the committee has decided to end the operations of the trade union for officials and armed forces, along with reducing the contribution rates for trade union members. This is part of a broader strategy to simplify governance and enhance the effectiveness of public service.
In terms of the judicial system, the Central Executive Committee has approved a new organizational structure for the people’s courts and people’s procuracies, which will now operate at three levels: the Supreme People’s Court, provincial level, and regional level. This restructuring will lead to the dissolution of the High-Level People’s Court and People’s Procuracy, as well as district-level courts and procuracies.
As the reforms progress, the Party organization system at the local level will also undergo changes. The committee has agreed to establish Party organizations corresponding to the new provincial and commune-level administrative structures, effectively dissolving the district-level Party committees.
Looking ahead, the Central Executive Committee has tasked the Politburo with overseeing the completion of the project to reorganize administrative units at all levels. This includes a thorough review of the criteria for merging communes and wards, ensuring that the new structures serve the interests of the people effectively while minimizing costs.
Importantly, the committee emphasized the need for transparency and accountability in these transitions, urging local governments to strengthen measures against corruption and wastefulness during the restructuring process. They have also called for the efficient resolution of administrative procedures for citizens and businesses, ensuring that services remain uninterrupted during the implementation of these reforms.
As Vietnam moves forward with these ambitious changes, the focus remains on creating a streamlined, effective, and efficient government structure that is closer to the people and better equipped to meet the needs of its citizens. The upcoming National Assembly session will be crucial in determining the future of these proposed reforms and their impact on the civil service landscape in Vietnam.
