Can Tho Chairman: 'Cowboy' fashion is not acceptable in the office

The Chairman of the People's Committee of Can Tho City said that although there is no ban, civil servants and public employees are not allowed to wear jeans and t-shirts to work.

Speaking with VietNamNet reporters on the afternoon of September 7, Chairman of Can Tho City People's Committee Vo Thanh Thong said that Can Tho has implemented the Law on Civil Servants and Public Employees and performed the duties of local authorities in accordance with the provisions of the law.

Chairman of Can Tho City People's Committee Vo Thanh Thong

"Can Tho City People's Committee applies it specifically to manage its staff of civil servants and public employees. Before issuing the rules, it sought opinions from those who implemented them.

Civil servants and public employees wearing jeans and T-shirts to work are considered unprofessional. When you come to the office to meet with the people, you are a representative of a State agency, so you must dress politely.

“Although modern, we must ensure national traditions, and integrate but must preserve our good traditions,” Mr. Thong said, adding that jeans originated in Europe and were then imported to the US. After that, American cowboys used them.

According to Mr. Thong, jeans and T-shirts are appropriate for going out and picnicking, but no one accepts them in the office environment. The principles in an organization must be disciplined, and freedom cannot be encouraged. Because then there is no organization anymore.

The head of the People's Committee of Can Tho City also said that the Code of Conduct does not use the word "prohibited" but does not allow civil servants and public employees to wear jeans and T-shirts to work.

“The Law on Civil Servants and Public Employees clearly states that civil servants and public employees must have a professional and polite demeanor…

But the law cannot be specified, but local authorities and agencies must specify it for management. This is the right of those with authority.

For example, in the family, the head of the family has the right to regulate how his children dress appropriately and politely, but if outsiders interfere, what right does that have?" Mr. Thong clearly stated.

The Chairman of the People's Committee of Can Tho City affirmed: "I acted in accordance with the provisions of the law on civil servants and public employees and performed the functions and duties of the law on local government, so I have not changed my opinion on this matter.

All those under my authority must strictly comply. Because in the regulations, the obligations of civil servants and public employees, in addition to strictly complying with the provisions of the law, must also comply with the internal rules and regulations of the agency. I affirm that this will never change."

Jeans for workers

Responding to the press, Mr. Nguyen Hoang Ba, Director of the Department of Internal Affairs of Can Tho City, said that jeans originated in Europe, then were introduced to the US. “Jeans are mainly for laborers, workers, and those who directly work in production.

I think this is not suitable for Vietnam in general and Can Tho in particular, given the situation and identity of the Vietnamese people," said Mr. Ba.

Mr. Nguyen Hoang Ba - Director of Can Tho City Department of Home Affairs

The Director of the Can Tho Department of Home Affairs said that using the word "banned" is incorrect, because the administrative document does not use the word "banned" but uses the word "not".

“I think the word “no” is the most appropriate. Because in general, any clothes look good. Beauty comes from the person, but clothes are not the problem. For civil servants in Can Tho City, it is appropriate to dress cleanly, politely, and elegantly, but the issue of wearing jeans and T-shirts is not forbidden for people, those who are not on the state payroll.

According to Mr. Nguyen Hoang Ba, currently, very few civil servants in Can Tho City wear jeans and T-shirts. "If we make it illegal, people will definitely comply, because we have sent it to all departments, branches, districts, and counties for comments, so I think it can be implemented, there is no obstacle to this regulation," said Mr. Nguyen Hoang Ba.

Previously, as reported by VietNamNet, the Chairman of the People's Committee of Can Tho City signed a decision to promulgate a code of conduct for officials, civil servants, public employees and workers in state agencies and public service units of the city, including 4 chapters and 11 articles.

There is a rule that men and women are not allowed to wear jeans or t-shirts of any kind to work.

According to Vietnamnet.vn