The Lean Revolution - Part 3: Transparent, humane, sympathetic, and reasonable
The revolution of streamlining the apparatus to improve the efficiency of the political system is not only an organizational problem, but also a human problem. Therefore, in practice, there are challenges related to the interests, thoughts, and motivations of cadres, civil servants, and public employees... that require a thorough view to solve.
News and Politics Reporter Group• March 19, 2025
The revolution of streamlining the apparatus to improve the efficiency of the political system is not only an organizational problem, but also a human problem. Therefore, in practice, there are challenges related to the interests, thoughts, and motivations of cadres, civil servants, and public employees... that require a thorough view to solve.
When the work of streamlining the apparatus entered an important stage, many leaders from the provincial to communal levels in Nghe Anvoluntary early retirement, contributing to facilitating the system streamlining process.
With 34 years of service in the political system, comrade Thai Son - former Head of the Propaganda Department of Yen Thanh District Party Committee, decided to retire 4 years and 6 months ahead of schedule, when the Propaganda Department and the Mass Mobilization Department of the District Party Committee merged. Comrade Thai Son said that the decision to voluntarily retire early stemmed from three key factors: First, he agreed with the policy of streamlining the apparatus, emphasizing improving operational efficiency instead of just reducing the number. Second, in response to the requirements of innovation, the Propaganda and Mass Mobilization field needs a generation of young cadres who dare to think, dare to do, be creative and make breakthroughs. The step back of those who went before is a contribution to the future. Third, the support policies of the Party and State helped him feel secure when leaving the apparatus, making way for the younger generation. "Step back is not stopping, but letting the apparatus move forward," comrade Son confided.
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The spirit of "exemplary superiors, followers" was spread, 33 leaders of departments, offices and units under Nghe An Police voluntarily retired early or took on lower duties to meet the arrangement process, not organizing district-level Police, such as: Lieutenant Colonel Kha Van Hoi - Deputy Chief of Con Cuong District Police came to work and held the position of Chief of Tam Hop Commune Police, Tuong Duong District; Lieutenant Colonel Va Ba Hua - Deputy Chief of Tuong Duong District Police came to work and held the position of Chief of Muong Tip Commune Police, Ky Son District... That demonstrated the sense of responsibility of the People's Police soldiers and the proactive adaptation to innovation.
Not only in the Public Security sector, the merger of 13 departments and branches of the People's Committee of Nghe An province also witnessed many officials proactively accepting lower positions. Typically, comrade Hoang Sy Kien - Director of the Department of Construction (old), now takes on the role of Deputy Director of the new Department of Construction after merging the old Department of Construction and the Department of Transport. Or comrade Nguyen Van Kim, with 20 years of working at the Department of Standards and Metrology, Department of Science and Technology (including nearly 2 terms as Head of the Department) happily accepted the decision to become Deputy Head of the Department of Quality Measurement Management, when the Department was transformed into a department under the Department of Science and Technology (new), after merging the Department of Science and Technology (old) with the Department of Information and Communications. "I am ready to accept any position assigned by the organization and also realize that, accepting new tasks, I still need to improve my spirit, responsibility and hone my expertise and skills to better serve the job", comrade Nguyen Van Kim said.
Nghe An Provincial Party Committee recently held a farewell ceremony for 5 leaders of departments, branches and localities under the management of the Provincial Party Committee Standing Committee who voluntarily retired early. Sharing about his decision to retire early, comrade Doan Hong Vu (former Director of the Department of Labor, Invalids and Social Affairs) expressed his agreement with the policy of the Party and the State, and highly appreciated the attention paid to implementing the regime and policies for voluntary retired cadres. According to him, the revolution of restructuring and streamlining the apparatus has gone a long way and achieved important results, creating a foundation for stronger transformation in the future.
It can be said that the decision to "step back to let the apparatus move forward" by hundreds of cadres and leaders of units and localities in Nghe An is not a retreat but a responsible act, demonstrating the pioneering spirit, putting the common interest above personal interests to push the apparatus of the political system to move faster, stronger and more effectively and also creating a very important ideological precedent for the next stage of arrangement.
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The revolution of streamlining the organizational apparatus is taking place strongly nationwide, aiming at the goal of building an effective, streamlined operating system while still ensuring strength and performance. Initial results have recorded positive changes, but this is just the beginning. This process is still being carried out in a drastic and synchronous manner, avoiding mechanical or half-hearted cuts, in order to truly improve the operational efficiency of the system.
Conclusion 127-KL/TWof the Politburo, the Secretariat has set out important directions, including: Merging some provincial-level administrative units, not organizing district-level units in some localities, continuing to merge commune-level administrative units; streamlining the apparatus of the Fatherland Front, socio-political organizations and mass organizations assigned by the Party and State at all levels. These adjustments will have a profound impact on the leadership team, cadres, civil servants, public employees and workers in the entire political system, which means that many job positions will be cut.
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Faced with that reality, some officials and civil servantsproactive resignationbecause they find the new position no longer suitable or want to find another direction. A typical example is Mr. Duong Hai Long, a former land official of 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 the State's policy, Mr. Long shared: "I am young, if I don't try now, when will I? The support policy gives me more motivation to step out of my comfort zone and look for more suitable opportunities."
However, not everyone can make the decision as easily as Mr. Long. Some people feel disappointed when leaving their familiar jobs, others leave reluctantly. This is a reality happening in some localities and units, reflecting both the objective requirements of the process of reforming the political system and the concerns and worries of those involved. The question is: How can cadres feel more secure when facing this change?
Secretary of the Nghi Thuy Ward Party Committee, Vinh City - Comrade Hoang Van Hai shared: “In the process of streamlining the apparatus, it is inevitable that officials, civil servants, and public employees, especially those directly affected, will feel anxious. They may be concerned about their positions, regimes, and policies after the merger. Therefore, there needs to be a clear and transparent mechanism to ensure the legitimate rights of officials; at the same time, create opportunities for those with capacity to continue to contribute.”
To support this process, the Government issued Decree 178/2024/ND-CP dated December 31, 2024 on policies for cadres, civil servants, public employees, workers and armed forces in the process of restructuring the apparatus.
The Politburo also issued Conclusion Notice No. 75-TB/TW, dated March 7, 2025,Expand the scope and subjects of policy application, more preferential support regime.
In the near future, Nghe An Provincial People's Council plans to issue a resolution to adjust and expand the scope of officials entitled to support policies when they quit their jobs due to staff streamlining.
Provincial Party Secretary Nguyen Duc Trung repeatedly emphasized that special attention should be paid to the regime and policies for cadres who had to resign after the restructuring of the apparatus. The Provincial Party Secretary affirmed: “Those who leave are not due to limited capacity, but are those who have bravely sacrificed for the common good. Those who stay must make more efforts to be worthy of their responsibilities.”
A profound reform certainly cannot avoid losses and sacrifices. But the important thing is that the process of streamlining the apparatus must ensure transparency, fairness and humanity. Officials must clearly understand the reasons for streamlining, the selection criteria, who will be retained and who will have to leave. Only when these things are made clear will officials no longer feel passive or insecure.
Looking further, this is not only a problem for those affected, but also a problem for the welfare of the entire system. If done well, this reform will not only help the apparatus operate more streamlined and effectively, 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 apparatus be truly complete, achieving the ultimate goal: a political system that operates flexibly and efficiently, while still ensuring humanity and social responsibility.
(To be continued)
