On the afternoon of 23/9, General Secretary To Lam met with constituents from 11 wards (Ba Dinh, Ngoc Ha, Giang Vo, Dong Da, Kim Lien, Van Mieu - Quoc Tu Giam, Lang, O Cho Dua, Hai Ba Trung, Vinh Tuy, and Bach Mai) in Hanoi before the 10th National Assembly session.

General Secretary To Lam speaks at the constituent meeting on the afternoon of 23/9. Photo: Hoang Phong

General Secretary To Lam speaks at the constituent meeting on the afternoon of 23/9. Photo: Hoang Phong

Constituent Tran Tuan Khanh raised concerns about the streamlining of government agencies, where many officials have been offered severance packages under Decrees 178 and 67. He emphasized these individuals represent a significant workforce, and solutions are needed to utilize their skills and contributions to society.

Constituent Nguyen Thi Kim Bai highlighted difficulties faced by many citizens, particularly the elderly, in accessing technology. Some lack smartphones, hindering their use of online public services. She suggested policies to support these individuals, especially the elderly, vulnerable, and disabled, in accessing necessary technology.

Addressing constituents' concerns about salary policies for officials, General Secretary To Lam emphasized the importance of defining staffing levels and job positions to implement Resolution 27 of the Central Committee on salary reform. The Politburo is directing agencies to finalize job position plans in Quarter IV/2025. This will serve as a basis for determining staffing levels across the political system and fully implementing salary reforms.

"Wages must sustain workers and incentivize priority sectors. This requires a nuanced approach based on job positions, not a one-size-fits-all solution. Priority is given to teachers, doctors, armed forces, and scientists. All these factors are being considered, and a roadmap is in place," the Party leader stated.

He also mentioned the need to recalculate pensions. He had suggested developing semi-residential retirement homes, but if pensions are 6 million dong while these homes charge 10 million dong, they would be inaccessible. Solutions are needed, and the Central Committee is addressing this.

Along with public sector salary reform, the Central Committee is also considering wages for workers in foreign direct investment (FDI) and private sectors. With increases in official salaries, worker wages must also rise proportionally. Those working and those retired must meet a common standard of living, all calculated reasonably and harmoniously.

"The ultimate goal is to improve people's lives. As the country grows and develops, so should the lives of its citizens. We must ensure that every worker can support another person," the General Secretary said.

To ensure salary increases genuinely improve living standards, the General Secretary stated the Central Committee is urging the government to manage the economy and prices, "so that prices don't rise before wages do," negating any real gains for the people.

"Striving for automated factories and warehouses"

Regarding scientific development and national digital transformation, General Secretary To Lam said the only way to catch up with other countries is through technological advancement. "Building wealth through industrial development takes hundreds of years, but through technology, it can take just 10," he noted.

"We strive for modern factories, warehouses, and ports operating without lights, meaning without human intervention. Factories operate 24/7, without three shifts. Day or night doesn't matter; there's no need for rest, resulting in high productivity," the General Secretary explained.

General Secretary To Lam and other delegates attend the constituent meeting in Hanoi on the afternoon of 23/9. Photo: Hoang Phong

General Secretary To Lam and other delegates attend the constituent meeting in Hanoi on the afternoon of 23/9. Photo: Hoang Phong

According to the General Secretary, population data has been connected. Next is completing the connection, sharing, and synchronizing land, medical, insurance, and financial databases. The National Data Center is under construction to implement this, along with solutions to enhance cybersecurity, data protection, and personal information security.

General Secretary To Lam encouraged constituents and the public to actively participate in the "Digital Literacy Movement," similar to President Ho Chi Minh's literacy campaign. Those who can should teach those who can't, like grandchildren teaching grandparents. "Everyone should contribute to the nation's digital transformation goals," he urged.

Vo Hai