VietNamNet Bridge – The National Assembly (NA) on June 8 ratified five laws. The approval of the amended Labor Code is highly appreciated for its progressive regulations on retirement age, minimum salary and maternity leave.



According to the amended Labor Code, which will take effect from May 1, 2013, women will have a six-month maternity leave instead of only four months. In case of having twins or more, the mother will have one month more for each baby.

Relating to the number of overtime hours, workers are allowed to work overtime up to 200 hours a year, but the number of overtime hours cannot exceed half of the official working hours in one day.

Annually, workers have ten days off for holidays, including five days for the lunar New Year holiday.

The NA still votes to keep the same retirement age for women at 55 and men at 60. However, the NA Standing Committee said it was still looking at the possibility of equalizing the retirement age between men and women and study other factors related to managing the national security fund.

Also yesterday, the NA passed the Law on Anti-Money Laundering, Law on Higher Education, and the Law on Tobacco Prevention and Control.

Accordingly, the Law on Higher Education will increase the level of autonomy given to higher education institutions, especially national universities, in regards to training, scientific research, finance and international relations.

The Law on Tobacco Prevention and Control strictly prohibits people under age 18 from using, selling or buying tobacco. The law also states that a tobacco prevention fund would be raised by mandatory contributions from tobacco producers, importers would pay a percentage of cigarette prices before VAT and special use taxes, and it would not affect the national budget.

PV