Speaking at the 80th-anniversary celebration of the Ministry of Home Affairs on the afternoon of 27/8, General Secretary To Lam reviewed the ministry's development. He acknowledged the numerous challenges faced 80 years ago, but highlighted how the ministry, under the leadership of the Party and Government, contributed to laying the foundation for a new state administrative system, dismantling remnants of the colonial and feudal regime. Through these hardships, the ministry has become a reliable partner of the Party, Government, and the people.

During the two resistance wars, the ministry played a role in building a strong wartime administration, organizing wartime labor policies, and directly caring for wounded soldiers, sick soldiers, families of martyrs, and those with meritorious service to the nation. In the Renovation period, the ministry continued to develop an administrative system suitable for a socialist-oriented market economy, formulating flexible, comprehensive, and effective labor and social security policies.

General Secretary To Lam at the 80th-anniversary celebration of the Ministry of Home Affairs. Photo: Hoang Phong

General Secretary To Lam at the 80th-anniversary celebration of the Ministry of Home Affairs. Photo: Hoang Phong

The Ministry of Home Affairs has made significant contributions to streamlining the administrative apparatus, reducing tens of thousands of administrative units and public service organizations at all levels. Its improved social security policies have contributed to keeping the unemployment rate below 3% and ensured stable labor productivity growth, recognized internationally as a model for achieving millennium development goals. "It can be affirmed that, whether in war or peace, during construction or renovation, the Ministry of Home Affairs has always been a steadfast, dedicated, and innovative force, directly contributing to building national governance and ensuring social security," the General Secretary emphasized.

According to General Secretary To Lam, after 40 years of renovation, Vietnam has achieved remarkable progress, but still faces challenges such as the middle-income trap, the closing of the golden population period, and low labor productivity. "We don't have much time left. We must either make breakthroughs to realize our aspiration for a powerful nation or fall behind and miss historical opportunities," he stated, urging the ministry to continuously innovate and build a national administrative system that is service-oriented, democratic, law-governed, modern, effective, and efficient.

He tasked the ministry with completing the legal framework for state administration, public service, civil servants, and social policies; continuing to streamline the administrative apparatus; and developing a team of competent and high-quality officials capable of meeting their responsibilities. The ministry must restructure its personnel, removing incompetent and irresponsible officials, while implementing exceptional compensation policies to attract and retain talent, and protect those who dare to think, act, and take responsibility.

Minister of Home Affairs Pham Thi Thanh Tra receives the first-class Labor Order for the Ministry of Home Affairs from General Secretary To Lam. Photo: Hoang Phong

Minister of Home Affairs Pham Thi Thanh Tra receives the first-class Labor Order for the Ministry of Home Affairs from General Secretary To Lam. Photo: Hoang Phong

The General Secretary also requested the ministry to improve the multi-tiered, flexible, and modern social security system; develop a dynamic and efficient labor market; and continue reforming wages and social insurance to provide a safety net for workers. For those with meritorious service, their living standards should be equal to or higher than those of the local residents.

"Don't let those with meritorious service and their families wait due to rigid procedures, leading to situations where we miss the opportunity to express our gratitude or have to regret insufficient and inadequate recognition," he reminded.

Affirming the ministry's proud 80-year tradition as a solid foundation, the General Secretary expressed his confidence that the Ministry of Home Affairs will continue to successfully fulfill the tasks assigned by the Party, Government, and the people, playing a pioneering role in perfecting institutions and building a state administrative system and social security policies in the new era of development.

Son Ha