Prefer permanent employment

(Baonghean) - On November 20, 2014, the Government issued Decree No. 108/2014/ND-CP on the policy of streamlining the workforce, according to which 12 categories of individuals will be prioritized in this round. This can be considered a rather drastic measure for the process of streamlining the cumbersome bureaucracy that is "competing" to receive salaries from the State budget.

Just before that, the parliamentary debate had heated up over the "postponement of salary increases" in 2015, with the familiar excuse being a lack of funds. 75% of the budget is allocated to recurrent expenditures, primarily for paying salaries to maintain the bureaucracy, placing us among the countries with the largest number of government employees in the world!

To put it into perspective, let's compare: the current population of the United States is 315 million, but the number of civil servants managing the state apparatus is 2.1 million. Meanwhile, Vietnam's current population is approximately 90 million, and the number of salaried employees in the state apparatus is nearly 3 million. Why do we have such a "remarkable" system? The reasons are numerous, and we have already discussed them before. Setting aside the mechanisms and policies, despite their numerous shortcomings, within the limitations of this article, we would like to address another reason, stemming from the people themselves, which can be considered a form of social psychology – the preference for "permanent employment."

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We surely haven't forgotten, and many images from a few months ago are still circulating online, showing the continuous traffic jams on Giang Vo Street in front of the Hanoi Tax Department for days, caused by thousands of applicants buying application forms for civil service positions in the Tax sector. People arrived early in the morning, packed with food, crowding and patiently waiting for their turn to buy forms, even though most knew their chances of fulfilling their dream of becoming a civil servant were extremely slim. This isn't unique to Hanoi or the Tax sector; wherever and whenever a recruitment announcement is made, hundreds of "impressive" application forms and "secret letters" immediately flood the streets. Job brokers thrive. This is just a small scene cut from the vivid portrayal of the reality of the job market. The desire to work is a perfectly legitimate need, and it should certainly be respected and encouraged. But the absolute necessity of "contributing" to the state apparatus is another matter entirely. The idea of ​​joining the government, of securing a permanent position, is a deeply ingrained mindset among a segment of young people, fueled by a deeply rooted aspiration nurtured by both themselves and their parents. Perhaps this mentality of "running" to secure a permanent position is a unique characteristic of our country. A recent survey by teacher Tran Dinh Tro in Huong Son, Ha Tinh, revealed a common situation: 45 out of 45 students cycled to school, but only 3 could distinguish between a sprocket and a chainring, and only 10 could tell the difference between an inner tube and a tire. Of course, none of them knew how to repair a bicycle. However, what surprised us even more was that all 45 students shared the same desire to become government officials! Truly moving! Yes, it's not business owners, mechanics, or sales clerks who are calling out to these young people—those who can't even distinguish between a sprocket and a chainring—but rather "government officials." Why is that? What is influencing them? Do they want to contribute or are they drawn to something else? Finding the true cause probably requires more comprehensive and serious research. However, the reality is undeniable.

Some people still brazenly believe that "state employment" is a far superior status to working in the private sector. They proudly boast about it, or show off their children's positions in various departments. They view government employment as a glittering certificate to impress others. Even women who were almost left without a husband suddenly become highly sought after thanks to government positions. Passing the "government" hurdle is considered a sure thing, a blessing, a promise of "I want to spend my life with you." There's a story about a woman who received her employment decision and was so overjoyed she ran around the village singing: "Even holding gold, I fear it might fall / Holding this decision, I'll be prosperous forever." And then there's the story of a family that prepares a separate feast for "government officials" during ancestral ceremonies. Shocking! It's probably a fabricated story, but it's not entirely true. People want to work in government agencies. It's great! Sadly, the number of truly dedicated, talented individuals with ambitions to serve and contribute to the public in government agencies is extremely rare. Those who stubbornly cling to their positions at all costs are often those seeking an easy life. They are afraid to face life's challenges; they seek every means to secure a permanent government position primarily for their own safety and to advance their careers when opportunities arise. The more the bureaucracy expands, the more egregious the waste becomes. Instead of one person doing the work, four people are left idle... for the sake of fairness. It seems that the mindset of "getting paid even without working, and having a pension in old age" has turned many individuals and families into both victims and perpetrators of this situation. Those around them no longer recognize them, and they no longer recognize themselves. Yet, they still refer to those "not on the payroll" with derogatory terms like "outsiders," sometimes with contempt.

Last year, I encountered a wealthy family involved in seafood processing. The couple owned a company, employed workers, produced branded products, and held a significant market share in Central Vietnam. Yet, their daughter was "arranged" to get a government job simply because "parents have worked hard enough; now we must ensure our daughter has a comfortable life." Naturally, this pampered young lady happily abandoned the family's traditional fish sauce business! When I interviewed her about why she didn't follow in her family's footsteps, she replied: "Getting a job with a starting salary of 2 million VND is difficult; a job with a 10 million VND salary is too easy." Isn't that strange? Could someone so readily and innocently reject a 10 million VND income for such a meager job? Are they truly earning their living through their own labor, or are they simply parasites? Children don't have to follow in their parents' footsteps to become government officials in order to make sacrifices, contribute, and enrich their homeland, do they? How many similar brands have been lost because of fanaticism?

In South Korea, a rural area suddenly became a tourist destination attracting thousands of visitors daily simply because it served as the setting for a popular television drama: "King of Baking." The character Kim Takwooo abandoned all his wealth and prestige to become a baker. It's simply because he loves it, because it's his duty to preserve and develop his profession, but more importantly, it's recognized, acknowledged, and cherished by society. There, he's considered "king"! Watching how they make, act in, and watch the film, seeing the crowds flocking to the filming locations, one can sense how much people honor those who "work outside the box." Perhaps that's why in developed countries like South Korea and Japan, besides the "King of Baking," there are also "Kings of Kimchi" and "Queens of Sake." Reflecting on this, we think about ourselves: when will the mindset of "becoming a government official" no longer be limited to a 45/45 split?!

Nguyen Khac An