Administrative unit arrangement by 2030: Solving tens of thousands of redundant cadres and civil servants

Unprecedented reduction in numbers

The issue of reorganizing administrative units (ADUs) at the district and commune levels is a major policy of the Party and the State and in reality has been and is being implemented carefully and effectively. As Vice Chairman of the National Assembly Nguyen Khac Dinh emphasized, in just 2 years (2019-2021), the reorganization has reduced the number of district and commune-level units unprecedentedly in history, leaving many valuable lessons and affirming that there are still some shortcomings that need to be overcome.

Data shows that the National Assembly Standing Committee has issued 48 resolutions to reorganize 21 district-level administrative units and 1,056 commune-level administrative units in 45 provinces and centrally-run cities, thereby reducing 8 district-level administrative units and 561 commune-level administrative units nationwide. In addition, since 2018, more than 52,000 villages and residential groups have been reduced.

The above arrangement contributes to streamlining the organizational apparatus of the political system (reducing 3,437 agencies at the commune level and 429 agencies at the district level), streamlining the payroll (as of December 31, 2022, 648/706 (91.8%) of district-level officials and civil servants; 7,741/9,705 (79.8%) of commune-level officials and civil servants have been reduced), reducing state budget expenditures by more than VND 2,000 billion, restructuring and improving the quality and public service responsibilities of the team of officials, civil servants and public employees.

The arrangement results also contribute to expanding development space, concentrating resources, promoting the potential and advantages of localities for sustainable development.

According to the new resolution passed by the National Assembly Standing Committee, the task of rearranging administrative units will continue to be implemented in the 2023-2030 period and divided into two small phases: 2023-2025 and 2025-2030.

The goal is to complete the arrangement of district- and commune-level administrative units by 2025 with both standards of natural area and population size below 70% of the regulations according to the Resolution of the National Assembly Standing Committee on administrative unit standards and classification of administrative units; district-level administrative units simultaneously have standards of natural area below 20% and population size below 200% of the regulations; commune-level administrative units simultaneously have standards of natural area below 20% and population size below 300% of the regulations.

By 2030, complete the arrangement of the remaining district- and commune-level administrative units with both standards of natural area and population size below 100% of the regulations; district-level administrative units simultaneously have standards of natural area below 30% and population size below 200% of the regulations; commune-level administrative units simultaneously have standards of natural area below 30% and population size below 300% of the regulations.

Stating that the reorganization must achieve many goals such as streamlining the apparatus; enhancing the effectiveness and efficiency of State management; and creating favorable conditions for people and businesses, National Assembly Chairman Vuong Dinh Hue emphasized: "The Resolution of the Central Committee and the Politburo emphasizes that effectiveness is not simply measured by how many administrative units are cut, how many staff are streamlined, most importantly, ultimately the actual effectiveness of the government apparatus and the quality of public services that people and businesses enjoy, as well as the socio-economic development in the reorganized areas."

Solving the problem of redundant civil servants and public assets

Minister of Home Affairs Pham Thi Thanh Tra said that according to the reported data of 63 localities, in the period of 2023 - 2025, it is expected to arrange about 33 district-level administrative units and about 1,327 commune-level administrative units subject to compulsory arrangement (not including the number of administrative units subject to encouraged arrangement due to local needs).

That means the number of redundant officials and civil servants at the district level is about 2,500 people; at the commune level about 27,900 people and non-professional at the commune level about 16,000 people.

Regarding specific policies, Ms. Pham Thi Thanh Tra admitted that in the recent period, there were shortcomings related to the arrangement of redundant cadres and civil servants, public assets and offices, and specific policies for administrative units after the arrangement. Therefore, this resolution is calculated and designed to fundamentally resolve and remove the above difficulties and shortcomings.

The Resolution clearly states that when developing the Project to arrange administrative units at district and commune levels, the Provincial People's Committee must direct the review and plan for arrangement and assignment of tasks to cadres, civil servants and public employees in accordance with job positions, clearly identify the number of redundant cadres, civil servants and public employees associated with the implementation of streamlining the payroll.

The arrangement of the number of leaders and managers in new agencies and organizations and redundant cadres, civil servants, public employees and workers must have a roadmap suitable to the characteristics of each locality and the prescribed time limit must be no later than 5 years to ensure the number is in accordance with regulations.

Recently, the Ministry of Home Affairs has also advised to soon issue decrees related to organizational structure; streamlining payroll, and arranging redundant staff. In addition, the Prime Minister has issued a telegram requesting ministries and functional branches to advise on amending and supplementing regulations, and issuing timely guiding documents to serve the arrangement of this administrative unit.

"The amendments and supplements must be made in accordance with practical requirements to best serve the people and businesses" - the Minister of Home Affairs emphasized.

The review report of the National Assembly's Law Committee shows that there are still opinions that the regulation on a 2-year deadline to complete the rearrangement and handling of public headquarters of agencies and units is very difficult to implement.

Therefore, this agency proposed to consider extending the deadline so that localities have more time to organize asset valuation and develop a suitable arrangement plan according to the practical situation in the locality; at the same time, it suggested that the Government should issue separate regulations and instructions on arranging and handling redundant headquarters due to the arrangement of administrative units to facilitate implementation.

The Ministry of Home Affairs believes that it should not be prolonged because of the deterioration of the facilities. However, it agrees with the Law Committee that it will consider the possibility of extending the time limit to no more than 3 years to complete the arrangement of the headquarters and public assets.

The National Assembly Standing Committee requires that the special regime and policies for administrative units after the rearrangement must ensure continuity, not change the regime and policies because of the rearrangement, and not let the influence of the regime and policies affect the work of arranging administrative units; as well as affect the lives of cadres and people.

With a support level of 20 billion VND/district and 0.5 billion VND/commune, the central budget will provide one-time support of about 1,323 billion VND. When provinces and cities need support from the central budget, they will prepare estimates and carry out procedures according to the provisions of the State Budget Law. The Government will prescribe principles, standards, and support levels with bases for localities to prepare estimates.