New prominent policies effective from February 2019

1. Adjust monthly salary for social insurance contribution

The Ministry of Labor, War Invalids and Social Affairs issued Circular 35/2018/TT-BLDTBXH adjusting monthly salary and income for which social insurance has been paid.

From January 1, 2019, the monthly salary for which social insurance has been paid for employees subject to the salary regime prescribed by the State and starting to participate in social insurance from 2016 onwards, employees paying social insurance according to the salary regime decided by the employer... will be adjusted according to the following formula:

Monthly salary for social insurance contribution after adjustment of each year = Total monthly salary for social insurance contribution of each year x adjustment level of salary for social insurance contribution of the corresponding year.

This Circular takes effect from February 15, 2019.

2. Spend 200 million VND to buy smuggled cigarettes

Smuggled cigarettes with guaranteed quality will be auctioned, the proceeds will be spent on anti-cigarette smuggling activities according to Circular 122/2018/TT-BTC

Additionally, the proceeds from the auction will be spent on the following:

- Maximum cost for purchasing smuggled cigarettes is not more than 200 million VND/case;

- Fuel expenses for vehicles to inspect, arrest subjects and evidence of violations;

- Allowance for night work, overtime work for officials, civil servants...

Within 3 working days from the date of receiving the proceeds from the auction, the agency or unit assigned to organize the auction shall be responsible for depositing the entire amount into a temporary account at the State Treasury.

The Circular takes effect from February 1, 2019.

3. Conditions for converting from electronic documents to paper documents

According to Decree 165/2018/ND-CP on electronic transactions in financial activities, the conversion from electronic documents (EC) to paper documents must meet 05 conditions (compared to current regulations requiring only 03 conditions) to be converted, for example:

- Fully and accurately reflect the content of the training program;

- There is information showing that the CTĐT has been processed on the information system and the name of the information system or the name of the information system administrator;

- Has the identification code of the electronic transaction to serve the purpose of looking up and verifying information or has the full name and signature of the person performing the conversion;

- Can be searched at any time during normal information system operation;…

The Decree takes effect from February 10, 2019.

4. Convert ATM card to chip card

The conversion has a roadmap and is supplemented in Circular 41/2018/TT-NHNN amending Circular 19/2016/TT-NHNN regulating bank card activities.

The conversion roadmap is specified as follows:

- By December 31, 2019, at least 35% of ATMs and 50% of card acceptance devices at points of sale must comply with the basic standards for domestic chip cards;

- By December 31, 2020, 100% of ATMs and card acceptance devices at points of sale comply with basic standards for domestic chip cards;

During the transition period, card issuers and card payment organizations must ensure that card operations are continuous, stable, safe and ensure the legitimate rights and interests of cardholders.

This Circular takes effect from February 18, 2019.

5. Officially have a new General Education Program

The new general education program was issued by the Ministry of Education and Training in Circular 32/2018/TT-BGDDT dated December 26, 2018.

Notably, many new subjects will appear in the Curriculum of many levels, typically:

- Primary level: There is a new subject called Information Technology and Technology, in addition to previous subjects such as: Vietnamese, Math, Foreign Language, Ethics, Nature and Society, History and Geography...

- Middle school level: Information Technology becomes a compulsory subject, in addition, History and Geography, Science and Nature will have a new organization method.

- High school level: Students can choose to study in the Social Science group (including subjects of Economic and Legal Education, History, Geography); Natural Science group (including subjects of Physics, Chemistry, Biology); Technology and Arts group (including Technology, Information Technology, Arts).

This Circular takes effect from February 15, 2019.

6. New regulations on probationary period for teachers and lecturers

Circular 31/2018/TT-BGDDT stipulates the internship period according to the professional titles of teachers and lecturers in public educational institutions as follows:

- For grade III lecturers, grade III high school teachers, grade III university preparatory teachers: 12-month internship. Previously, high school teachers only needed 9-month internship.

- For grade III junior high school teachers: 9-month internship

- For grade IV preschool teachers and grade IV primary school teachers: 6-month internship.

The Circular takes effect from February 8, 2019.