On the morning of December 10, the National Assembly Standing Committee convened its 40th session to discuss various issues, including a report on public grievances related to streamlining the government apparatus.

National Assembly Chairman Tran Thanh Man announced that an extraordinary parliamentary session will be held in late February 2025 to amend laws concerning government restructuring and organizational reform within the political system.

“We are reviewing which laws to amend, including those governing the National Assembly, the Government, and local government organizations,” Chairman Tran stated. He emphasized the need to promptly implement recently passed laws to meet development demands and prepare legal documents for streamlining the apparatus.

Presenting the report on public grievances, Hoang Anh Cong, Deputy Head of the National Assembly’s Petitions Committee, noted that voters and citizens greatly value the efforts to streamline and modernize the political system for increased efficiency and effectiveness.

“The ongoing reform is a critical and timely requirement of the current context. Voters expect these efforts to inject new vitality into national defense, development, and the fulfillment of the 13th National Congress’s goals,” Cong emphasized.

However, voters also stressed the importance of safeguarding the rights and interests of civil servants, public employees, and workers during the restructuring process.

Vice Chairwoman Nguyen Thi Thanh highlighted the necessity of better communication to gain widespread public support for streamlining efforts.

“The initiative may disrupt certain individuals’ rights and benefits. If we neglect effective communication, unexpected challenges could arise, making it difficult to achieve success,” Thanh warned.

Thanh also urged the creation of favorable policies for civil servants affected by the reforms, particularly those nearing retirement. Drawing from past experience with the Politburo’s Resolution No. 39 on downsizing personnel, she emphasized the importance of policies that ensure smooth transitions.

“The goal of restructuring is not just organizational efficiency but also the well-being of affected individuals. After all, these people are also citizens and part of the system,” Thanh stated.

Thanh recommended introducing strong and superior policies to incentivize civil servants nearing retirement to step aside for younger talent. “Without good policies, we risk losing the best to the private sector while retaining those of average or poor performance in the public sector,” she cautioned.

Thu Hang