Department of Labor, War Invalids and Social Affairs strives for administrative reform

Officers of the Department of Labor, War Invalids and Social Affairs guide people to carry out administrative procedures at the Provincial Public Administration Service Center.

Facing limitations, not avoiding responsibility, "working but not working" are actions that demonstrate innovations in administrative reform (AR) of the Department of Labor, War Invalids and Social Affairs in 2022.

Limited straight look

According to the 2021 PAR Index scoring results, the Department of Labor, War Invalids and Social Affairs ranked 15th out of 18 departments, branches and sectors of the province. The component index score in the field of "administrative procedure reform" only reached 71.25% (below 75% of the maximum score). In addition, the results of some criteria in the component index of the field of "Building and developing e-government, digital government" were also not high.

Immediately after announcing the results of the PAR Index, the Department of Labor, War Invalids and Social Affairs held a conference to review and determine the responsibilities of relevant groups and individuals. The limitations in PAR were frankly pointed out, such as ineffective propaganda work on PAR; there were no solutions or initiatives that brought practical results. The review and submission of PAR procedures were not timely, leading to slow publication of PAR procedures. The application of information technology has not met the requirements and tasks in the new situation; the rate of online public services at levels 3 and 4, and public postal services are still low...

Clearly identifying the above limitations, from the beginning of 2022, the Department of Labor, War Invalids and Social Affairs assigned specific responsibilities to leaders in implementing administrative reform measures. The Party Committee of the Department issued a Resolution to improve the quality and effectiveness of administrative reform work in the period of 2022-2025. The Resolution clearly states the goals, directions and specific measures for leaders and each party member in the Party Committee to set an example in implementation.

The number of people coming to apply for unemployment benefits directly at the Provincial Employment Service - Vocational Education Center has decreased significantly thanks to online application procedures.

Step by step change

In an effort to overcome limitations, administrative reform at the Department of Labor, War Invalids and Social Affairs has gradually changed. The most obvious is in the field of labor and employment. To facilitate businesses and employees in carrying out related procedures, public services 3 and 4 in the field of labor and employment are now performed online. Initially, employees have clearly seen the practical benefits of these innovations.

Mr. Nguyen Van Doanh, a worker at Eastech Company Limited in Cong Hoa Industrial Park (Chi Linh City) commented: “It only took me a few minutes to complete the procedures to receive unemployment benefits because I filled out all the information online. The results were responded to via text message. If there was any missing information, the officer in charge of this field would guide me over the phone. Workers would save time traveling and additional costs.”

Administrative procedures for people with meritorious services in 2022 increased many times compared to 2021 due to the Ordinance on Incentives for People with Meritorious Services coming into effect, many new policies and resolutions of the province expanding the beneficiaries. To reduce the time to return related documents and procedures, the Department of People with Meritorious Services mobilized its workforce to work on holidays. With the motto "no work, no time off", although the department's human resources are limited, it still tries to quickly complete the procedures to return to people on time.

Although there are still many difficulties in implementing administrative reform, due to frankly pointing out the limitations and determination to overcome them, from the beginning of the year to the end of October, the Department of Labor, War Invalids and Social Affairs has reviewed, evaluated, updated, submitted to the Provincial People's Committee for promulgation, amendment and supplementation of 56 administrative procedures, abolished 39 procedures under the management of the Department; reviewed and submitted to the Provincial People's Committee for promulgation of standardization of 158 administrative procedures. The rate of files returned on time and before the deadline reached over 90%.

The Department of Labor, War Invalids and Social Affairs implements Project 06, improving knowledge about digital transformation and information security for officials and employees to promote administrative reform.

PV