The revolution to streamline the administrative apparatus - Part 3: Transparency, humanity, empathy, and reason.
The revolution to streamline the apparatus and improve the efficiency of the political system is not only an organizational problem, but also a human resources problem. Therefore, practical challenges related to the rights, feelings, and motivations of officials and civil servants require a thorough understanding to address them.
Current Affairs and Politics Reporting TeamMarch 19, 2025
The revolution to streamline the apparatus and improve the efficiency of the political system is not only an organizational problem, but also a human resources problem. Therefore, practical challenges related to the rights, feelings, and motivations of officials and civil servants require a thorough understanding to address them.
As the process of reorganizing and streamlining the administrative apparatus entered a crucial stage, many leaders from the provincial to the commune level in Nghe An province took action.voluntary early retirement, contributing to facilitating the streamlining of the system.
After 34 years of dedication to the political system, Comrade Thai Son, former Head of the Propaganda Department of the Yen Thanh District Party Committee, decided to retire 4 years and 6 months early, following the merger of the Propaganda Department and the Mass Mobilization Department of the District Party Committee. Comrade Thai Son stated that his decision to voluntarily retire early stemmed from three key factors: Firstly, he agreed with the policy of streamlining the apparatus, emphasizing the need to improve operational efficiency rather than simply reducing the number of personnel. Secondly, in response to the demands of reform, the fields of Propaganda and Mass Mobilization require a new generation of young cadres who dare to think, dare to act, are creative, and innovative. The stepping aside by those who came before is a contribution to the future. Thirdly, the supportive policies of the Party and State helped him feel secure leaving the system, paving the way for the younger generation. “Stepping back is not stopping, but allowing the system to move forward,” Comrade Son explained.
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The spirit of "setting an example for those above, following suit for those below" has spread, with 33 leading officials from departments and units under the Nghe An Provincial Police voluntarily retiring early or taking on lower-level positions to meet the requirements of the restructuring process and the elimination of district-level police forces. Examples include Lieutenant Colonel Kha Van Hoi, Deputy Head of Con Cuong District Police, who was transferred to the position of Head of Tam Hop Commune Police, Tuong Duong District; and Lieutenant Colonel Va Ba Hua, Deputy Head of Tuong Duong District Police, who was transferred to the position of Head of Muong Tip Commune Police, Ky Son District. This demonstrates the sense of responsibility of the People's Police officers and their proactive adaptation to change.
Not only in the police force, but the merger of 13 departments and agencies of the Nghe An Provincial People's Committee also saw many officials proactively accepting lower positions. A typical example is Mr. Hoang Sy Kien - former Director of the Department of Construction, now serving as Deputy Director of the new Department of Construction after the merger of the old Department of Construction and the Department of Transport. Similarly, Mr. Nguyen Van Kim, with 20 years of dedication to the Standards and Measurement Sub-Department of the Department of Science and Technology (including nearly two terms as Sub-Department Head), happily accepted the decision to become Deputy Head of the Measurement and Quality Management Division when the Sub-Department became a division under the new Department of Science and Technology after the merger of the old Department of Science and Technology with the Department of Information and Communications. “I am ready to accept any position or task assigned by the organization and I also understand that taking on a new task still requires me to improve my spirit, responsibility, and hone my professional skills to better serve the job,” said Mr. Nguyen Van Kim.
The Nghe An Provincial Party Committee recently held a farewell ceremony for five leading officials from various departments, agencies, and localities, under the management of the Provincial Party Standing Committee, who voluntarily retired early. Sharing his thoughts on his early retirement decision, Comrade Doan Hong Vu (former Director of the Department of Labor, War Invalids and Social Affairs) expressed his agreement with the Party and State's policy, and highly appreciated the attention given to implementing policies and regulations for officials who voluntarily retire. According to him, the revolution in streamlining the administrative apparatus has progressed significantly and achieved important results, creating a foundation for a stronger transformation in the future.
It can be said that the decision of hundreds of officials and leaders of units and localities in Nghe An to "step back so that the system can move forward" is not a retreat but a responsible act, demonstrating a pioneering spirit, putting the common good above personal interests to push the political system's machinery to move faster, stronger, and more effectively, and also creating a very important ideological precedent for the next restructuring phase.
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The revolution to streamline organizational structures is underway nationwide, aiming to build an efficient, streamlined system that still ensures strength and performance. Initial results have shown positive changes, but this is only the beginning. This process is continuing to be implemented decisively and synchronously, avoiding mechanical or half-hearted cuts, in order to truly improve the system's operational efficiency.
Conclusion 127-KL/TWThe Politburo and the Secretariat have set important directions, including: merging some provincial-level administrative units, eliminating district-level organizations in some localities, and continuing to merge commune-level administrative units; streamlining the apparatus of the Fatherland Front, political and social organizations, and mass associations assigned tasks by the Party and the State at all levels. These adjustments will have a profound impact on the leadership, cadres, civil servants, and workers throughout the political system, meaning that many jobs will be cut.
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In light of that situation, some officials and civil servantsproactively resign from your job.Because they realized they were no longer suited to the new position or wanted to seek a different path. A typical example is Mr. Duong Hai Long, a former land administration official in Nghi Lien commune, Vinh city. After 13 years of participating in social insurance, he decided to leave the public sector to pursue his passion for business. With capital support from government policies, Mr. Long shared: “I am young, if I don't try now, when will I? The support policies give me more motivation to step out of my comfort zone and seek more suitable opportunities.”
However, not everyone finds it as easy to make a decision as Mr. Long. Some feel a sense of loss when leaving their familiar jobs, while others leave reluctantly. This is a reality in some localities and units, reflecting both the objective requirements of the political system reform process and the concerns and anxieties of those involved. The question is: How can we help officials feel more secure when facing this change?
Comrade Hoang Van Hai, Secretary of the Party Committee of Nghi Thuy Ward, Vinh City, shared: “During the process of streamlining the administrative apparatus, it is inevitable that cadres, civil servants, and public employees will feel anxious, especially those directly affected. They may have concerns about their positions, benefits, and policies after the merger. Therefore, a clear and transparent mechanism is needed to ensure the legitimate rights of cadres; and at the same time create opportunities for capable individuals to continue contributing.”
To support this process, the Government issued Decree 178/2024/ND-CP dated December 31, 2024, on policies for officials, civil servants, public employees, and members of the armed forces during the organizational restructuring process.
The Politburo also issued Conclusion Notice No. 75-TB/TW, dated March 7, 2025.Expand the scope and target audience of the policy., a support system with more favorable terms.
In the near future, the Nghe An Provincial People's Council is expected to issue a resolution adjusting and expanding the scope of officials eligible for support policies upon leaving their jobs due to downsizing.
Provincial Party Secretary Nguyen Duc Trung has repeatedly emphasized the need to pay special attention to the benefits and policies for officials who have to leave their positions after the restructuring of the administrative apparatus. The Provincial Party Secretary affirmed: “Those who leave are not leaving because of limited abilities, but because they have bravely sacrificed for the common good. Those who remain must strive harder to live up to their responsibilities.”
A comprehensive reform will inevitably involve losses and sacrifices. However, it is crucial that the streamlining process is transparent, fair, and humane. Officials must clearly understand the reasons for the streamlining, the selection criteria, who will be retained, and who will be dismissed. Only when these matters are clarified will officials no longer feel passive or insecure.
Looking further ahead, this is not just a problem for those affected, but a social welfare issue for the entire system. If implemented well, this reform will not only make the system more streamlined and efficient, but also create opportunities for each individual to find a suitable position or move in a new direction with the necessary support. Only then will the revolution to streamline the system truly be complete, achieving its ultimate goal: a flexible, highly efficient political system that still ensures humanity and social responsibility.
(To be continued)
