Party Central Committee Secretary Phan Dinh Trac: Need appropriate mechanism to implement Central Committee Resolution 6

National Assembly deputies meet voters in Kim Son town, Que Phong district. Photo: My Nga

After listening to National Assembly deputies report on the time and expected content of the 5th session of the 14th National Assembly, voters expressed their confidence in the innovations of the National Assembly and the Government; and at the same time, proposed many issues of concern.

Regarding the plan to amend current regulations and the proposal to allow raising the retirement age of workers, voter Nguyen Kim Phap (Kim Son town) said that extending the retirement age is not suitable for workers in mountainous districts, due to poor health, especially the regulation that women can retire at 60 years old.

This voter also pointed out the current situation of part-time cadres in the area tending to "quit working" due to low salary policies, especially when starting the process of reducing staff in agencies and units according to the spirit of Resolution 6 of the 12th Central Committee.

Regarding some policies and regimes for those who have medals and orders for national defense, voters of Chau Kim commune said that many cases have been filed and the commune level has sent them to higher levels but there has been no response. Besides saying that the current allowance regime is still too low, voters recommended resolving the regime, paying attention and creating timely support sources so that the subjects can enjoy the regime in accordance with regulations.

Voter Lo Thi Hong (Muong Noc commune) mentioned that some types of medicine, services, and supplies that people enjoy under the health insurance regime still have many shortcomings. In particular, for serious illnesses, people are almost not entitled to health insurance benefits, but have to pay a large amount. Moreover, drug prices are always a matter of concern for people. Voters reflected that at drug stores, drug prices may be listed on the packaging of each box, but buyers cannot know whether that is the correct price or a high price. When having to go to the hospital, with the prescription given by the doctor, patients can only trust to buy at the hospital pharmacy. However, drug prices at these pharmacies are sometimes higher than at pharmacies outside.

Therefore, voters suggest that ministries and branches review and rebalance to support people in mountainous areas when examining and treating at medical facilities; at the same time, consult with relevant ministries and branches to check the current situation of drug price differences inside and outside hospitals.

The conference received 9 comments and suggestions from voters. Photo: My Nga

Regarding the new rural development program in Que Son commune, voter Nguyen Van Dung reported that provincial road 541B running through the commune is currently seriously degraded due to the large volume of overloaded vehicles, making it difficult for people to travel. Voters requested that competent authorities pay attention to upgrading the road to ensure the people's travel needs.

This voter also added that in the locality, some hamlets do not meet the population requirements. The voter suggested speeding up the merger of the above hamlet with some other hamlets to ensure the new rural construction roadmap of the commune.

Voters proposed a number of other issues such as: rampant sand and gravel mining; inadequacies in granting land ownership certificates; policies for officials working in mountainous districts...

At the conference, on behalf of the National Assembly delegation, Mr. Phan Dinh Trac - Secretary of the Party Central Committee, Head of the Central Internal Affairs Committee thanked voters for their sincere contributions and directly explained issues of concern to voters.

Party Central Committee Secretary Phan Dinh Trac directly explains voters' petitions. Photo: My Nga

Regarding the issue of the retirement age expected to be raised to 62 for men and 60 for women, Party Central Committee Secretary Phan Dinh Trac said that the Government is considering many expert opinions. Extending the age needs a roadmap, accordingly, the proposed plan is to only increase 3-4 working months each year until men reach 62 and women reach 60 years old to retire. The proposal to raise the retirement age is one of the solutions to balance the current social insurance fund.

Responding to the issue of implementing Resolution 6 of the 12th Central Committee on streamlining the payroll, Party Central Committee Secretary Phan Dinh Trac suggested that organizers must think of appropriate policies and mechanisms in the transitional period, especially for part-time cadres. When the number of people decreases, to handle the workload, it is necessary to increase allowances, but if this cannot be met, the trend of shifting labor to work outside will be inevitable.

"This is a transitional period. Without people working, the government will not be able to serve the people," the Party Central Committee Secretary emphasized.

Regarding the issue of resolving the support regime for people with medals and orders, Mr. Phan Dinh Trac said that the Party and the Government have issued many Resolutions. Therefore, local officials need to be responsible for basing on current documents to guide and support people in a timely manner so that the subjects can enjoy the regime in accordance with regulations.

Regarding the issue of hunger eradication and poverty reduction for people in mountainous areas, the Party Central Committee Secretary said that every year the Government has two major national target programs: new rural construction and sustainable poverty reduction. He also suggested that people should not abuse policies to become dependent, but should know how to use support funds to do business and develop the economy from internal resources, in order to change their own lives and participate in building a better social life.

Regarding voters' feedback on the difference in drug prices, as well as doctors' prescriptions for purchasing drugs at specific counters, Party Central Committee Secretary Phan Dinh Trac requested that localities review and inspect the current situation; at the same time, he requested the provincial National Assembly office to receive and report to relevant ministries and branches for correction in the coming time.