VietNamNet Bridge – At the two-day session on economic-social issues last week, National Assembly deputies talked about matters associated with the current wage policy and hoped that the 10-year wage reform plan would make changes.
Deputy Nguyen Cao Phuc from the central province of Quang Ngai, said the government needs to make basic wage reform and develop the wage system in a scientific manner to fit every sector and title.

“Wage must be the driving force in the administrative reform process, in raising effectiveness of the administrative system and in restricting corruption and harassment,” said Phuc.

Many deputies said that the current wage policy not only causes corruption and harassment at state agencies but also affect the qualification of public servants in the long run. Wage reform has been discussed for years but the implementation is ineffective.

Deputy Mai Huu Tin from the southern province of Binh Duong said voters complained that black money related to administrative formalities increased.

“Low wage paid for public servants is a major reason for this situation. Whether the government can raise wage to an appropriate level, as overspending happens year by year?” Tin questioned.

Tin added that the government has carried out the plan to cut down the number of public servants for over 20 years but this plan does not work well.

“Public servants are members of the country’s administration system but they are paid low. That low wage becomes a fertile land for corruption and harassment. Wage reform must be drastically performed, based on the real living standards and inflation,” Deputy Tran Ngoc Vinh, from Hai Phong.

Deputy Nguyen Thi Thanh from the northern province of Ninh Binh said that the wage policy must be equal among sectors and regions.

Deputy Nguyen Thi Phuong Dao from the southern province of Ben Tre said public servants at communes suffer from many losses in comparison with their colleagues at district and province levels, while they play an important role in implementing the state’s policies to every citizen.

Deputy Trieu La Phan from the northern province of Ha Giang said that wage reform must be in parallel with inflation control otherwise wage reform will be worthless.

Deputy Nguyen Thuy Anh from the midland province of Phu Tho suggested the government to draft the Law on Wage.

Minister of Home Affairs Nguyen Thai Binh said that the plan on wage reform will be submitted to the central party committee in 2012. This plan aims to adjust the minimum wage to satisfy minimum requirements of workers in the period of 2012-2014.

Le Nhung