There is a policy of retaining salaries for officials assigned to lower positions when restructuring the apparatus.

On the afternoon of April 6, at the regular Government press conference in March, Deputy Minister of Home Affairs Nguyen Thi Ha informed about the upcoming implementation of the two-level government model and the policies for those affected after the restructuring and organization of the apparatus according to the new model.

Regarding the management and operation model to avoid difficulties for people and businesses in carrying out administrative procedures when the district level is abolished, Deputy Minister of Home Affairs Nguyen Thi Ha said that implementing the Politburo's conclusion on the policy of arranging administrative units at all levels and building a 2-level local government model, the Ministry of Home Affairs was assigned to advise and develop a Project to submit to the Politburo and the Central Executive Committee, and at the same time develop a draft of the revised Law on Organization of Local Government and related guiding documents to implement the 2-level government model.

The authorities have proposed regulations on the organization of two-level local governments in the direction that after the dissolution of the district level, in addition to performing the current tasks and powers, the commune-level local government will also assume the tasks and powers of the district-level local government.

Accordingly, commune-level authorities will be given more power, the organizational structure, civil service and public service regime will also be reformed, ensuring that they meet task requirements.

Administrative procedures previously performed at the district level will be directly performed by the commune level, so it is necessary to increase the application of information technology, digital transformation, simplify procedures and shorten the procedure time for people and businesses. At the same time, propose transitional regulations so that the implementation of the tasks and powers of the new commune-level government ensures seamless, uninterrupted operations; no overlapping, duplication or omission of tasks, no impact on socio-economic development tasks, better serving people and businesses.

Regarding policies for affected people, the Deputy Minister of Home Affairs said that when implementing the two-level local government model and rearranging provincial and communal administrative units, the State paid special attention to policy implementation. Accordingly, the specific policies applied to local people remained the same as before the rearrangement.

As for the staff, civil servants and workers, a unified civil service and civil servant regime will be implemented from the central to the communal level, meaning there will be no distinction between central, provincial and communal level staff as at present.

In addition, the authorities will review, screen, and arrange for those who meet the standards and professional qualifications to continue working at the organization, agency, or unit. In addition, there is a policy of retaining salaries and allowances for those who are assigned to lower duties or do not hold a position for a certain period of time.

"For those who wish to retire early or downsize due to not meeting the requirements of their tasks and positions, there are preferential policies according to Decree 178 and Decree 167 of the Government on policies and regimes for cadres, civil servants, employees and armed forces in the implementation of arrangement and organization of the apparatus and political system," said a representative of the Ministry of Home Affairs.