Hanoi cuts 55 departments and 171 heads and deputy heads of departments.

In implementing Resolution 39 of the Politburo, Hanoi has so far reduced 55 departments, 130 public service units, and 171 heads and deputy heads of departments.

On the afternoon of September 17th, a delegation from the Politburo, led by Mr. Pham Minh Chinh - Member of the Politburo and Head of the Central Organization Department - worked with the Hanoi City Party Committee on the results of implementing Resolution 39 of the Politburo in conjunction with Central Committee resolutions on personnel work.

Reporting to the inspection team, the Standing Deputy Secretary of the Hanoi City Party Committee, Ngo Thi Thanh Hang, stated that in the city's Party, Fatherland Front, and socio-political organizations, the restructuring has resulted in a reduction of 9 departments/divisions, 9 public service units, 9 heads of departments/divisions, and 20 deputy heads of departments/divisions. Hanoi has also merged the Party Committee of the Business Sector and the Party Committee of the Tourism Sector, reducing the number of Party Committees from 5 to 4 directly under the City Party Committee.

Head of the Central Organizing Committee Pham Minh Chinh delivered a directive speech at the working session with the Hanoi City Party Committee.

Following review and reorganization, the number of affiliated public service units under the Department has decreased from 401 to 208, a reduction of 121 units (30.2%). To date, through review and reorganization, the entire city has reduced 55 departments and divisions; 130 public service units; 35 heads of departments and divisions, and 136 deputy heads of departments and divisions.

According to the Standing Deputy Secretary of the Hanoi Party Committee, Ngo Thi Thanh Hang, the city will ensure that the total number of personnel in the entire political system will not increase. Hanoi will resolutely reorganize, merge, and dissolve inefficient or overlapping public service units, and restructure these units to reduce budget expenditures, gradually increase autonomy, and eventually achieve complete financial self-sufficiency.

In 2016, Hanoi reduced its allocated civil servant staff by 1.5% (141 positions). Hanoi aims to reduce its staff by at least 10% by the end of 2020-2021. It is projected that in 2017, the Party, Fatherland Front, and socio-political organizations of the city will further reduce 69 positions compared to the current number. The government sector will eliminate 704 long-standing contract positions and streamline the workforce by 115 officials, civil servants, and public employees.

At the meeting, Head of the Central Organization Department Pham Minh Chinh stated that during surveys in several localities, the first pressing issue reflected by the people and voters was the overlapping and multi-layered bureaucratic apparatus, while its operation was ineffective and inefficient; secondly, the decline in morality, conduct, and lifestyle; and thirdly, the issue of corruption among those in positions of power.

According to Mr. Pham Minh Chinh, if the operational mechanisms and personnel management are properly addressed, then the fight against corruption and moral decay will be more effective. To increase public and voter trust, it is necessary to directly address the grievances raised by the people.

Regarding the downsizing process in Hanoi, the Head of the Central Organization Department stated that all information during the downsizing and restructuring of the workforce must be transparent to avoid misunderstandings and distortions. Hanoi needs to focus on areas with high budget expenditures such as education and healthcare, and implement the socialization of healthcare services related to education…

At the meeting, Hanoi Party Secretary Hoang Trung Hai also emphasized that the successful implementation of Resolution 39-NQ/TW will help Hanoi overcome difficulties and challenges in the next five years. Because only if Hanoi completes the extremely important task of streamlining personnel and restructuring the workforce can it fulfill the socio-economic tasks set for the next phase.

Responding to the inspection team's recommendations, Hanoi City will continue to develop an effective and unified work program at all levels, improve dialogue, transparency, and public awareness campaigns so that officials understand the necessity of reorganizing the civil servant workforce in order to contribute to the overall development of the capital city.

According to Dan Tri