According to Conclusion 183 issued on 1/8 by the Politburo and the Secretariat regarding the implementation of the two-tiered local government model, ministries, branches, and localities must complete the resolution of benefits and policies for officials and public employees affected by organizational restructuring to ensure their rights.

The Party Committee of the Government has been tasked with directing the Ministry of Home Affairs to research, issue, or propose to competent authorities the issuance of appropriate regulations. These regulations must ensure balance among groups such as officials, public employees, civil servants, and workers who have completed 15 years in arduous or hazardous occupations or worked in extremely difficult areas and have reached retirement age; commune-level officials receiving retirement pensions, disability benefits, or wounded soldier benefits; individuals working in specialized associations at provincial and district levels; and full-time trade union officials under labor contracts.

Before August 31, the Ministry of Home Affairs must complete tasks such as: providing training and professional development for commune-level public employees; developing a toolkit for evaluating work effectiveness, serving as a basis for measuring the quality of officials, public employees, and civil servants; and issuing regulations on the functions and tasks of specialized agencies at the provincial and commune levels for effective operation of the two-tiered government model.

The Conclusion requires Party committees and organizations at all levels to continue effectively implementing relevant resolutions; urgently consolidate the contingent of commune-level officials, supplement missing personnel, and strengthen both quantity and quality, ensuring smooth operation of the model. The Central Inspection Committee is assigned to direct and strengthen inspection and supervision of the implementation of the above contents.

Public employees working at the Da Nang Administrative Center, 5/2025. Photo: Nguyen Dong

Public employees working at the Da Nang Administrative Center, 5/2025. Photo: Nguyen Dong

According to the Ministry of Home Affairs, by the end of last month, around 85,400 officials, public employees, and civil servants nationwide had left their jobs. Of these, 41,000 received retirement or severance allowances due to streamlining. It is estimated that by 2030, the total budget needed for early retirement and severance packages will be 128,480 billion VND. This includes 22,139 billion VND for 18,449 provincial-level officials taking early retirement, equivalent to about 1.2 billion VND per person; 99,700 billion VND for those leaving their jobs at the commune level; and 6,600 billion VND for social insurance payments to ensure that pension levels are not reduced.

Conversely, downsizing and restructuring will lead to significant budget savings. From 2026 to 2030, the estimated savings are 27,600 billion VND from streamlining provincial-level officials and public employees; 128,700 billion VND from reducing commune levels; and 34,000 billion VND from non-full-time commune-level officials. The total budget savings for regular salary and administrative expenses are estimated at 190,500 billion VND.

To effectively implement these tasks, the Politburo and Secretariat require localities to fully invest in digital infrastructure for commune levels, such as digital signatures, management software, and personnel for data digitization, ensuring the efficient operation of commune-level Public Administration Service Centers under the new model.

In addition, relevant agencies must also develop a system of criteria for evaluating officials, prioritizing quantitative criteria that are close to reality, as a basis for screening, appointing, and utilizing officials suitable for new requirements. The Central Organization Committee will take the lead in compiling monthly progress reports, to be submitted to the Politburo and Secretariat by the 25th of each month.

Vu Tuan