New salary reforms take huge effort of political system: minister

Minister of Home Affairs Pham Thi Thanh Tra addresses a group discussion at the sixth session of the 15th National Assembly. (Photo: VNA)

Speaking at the group discussion on October 24 as part of the NA's sixth session on the outcomes of the implementation of socioeconomic development plan, Tra, who is an NA deputy of Yen Bai province, said that despite difficulties caused by the COVID-19 pandemic, the government has earmarked 560 trillion VND (22.8 billion USD) for carrying out salary reforms in the 2024-2026 period.

This is a huge effort of the political system, she said, noting that if efforts aren't made now, it would be difficult to carry out the policy after 2026.

The minister also stressed the government's endeavours to overhaul the apparatus and streamline personnel to reduce the number of persons receiving salaries from the state budget.

Another highlight in the preparation for salary reform is improvements to the institutions related to public service by amending laws and resolutions of the National Assembly, to promulgating decrees to restructure and rebuild the public service sector in accordance with requirements of the new situation.

Salary reforms will not only improve the lives of officials, civil servants and public employees and their families, but also help increase labour productivity and national competitiveness, Tra said, adding that the reform is a driving force for economic growth, because a salary increase will affect supply and demand.

The minister stressed that the salary reform this time will be the most comprehensive and basic one so far, adding that it is inevitable to continue re-arrange and streamline the the apparatus to further reduce the number of employees paid by the State budget./.