Why haven't those working in Party and State-assigned organizations in Nghe An received allowances?

Concerns from an Association

From January 2025 to the present, the Nghe An Union of Science and Technology Associations (Nghe An Union of Science and Technology Associations) has sent three documents to the Department of Internal Affairs regarding the implementation of allowances under Government Decree 126/2024/ND-CP for six staff members working at the Association's office.

According to Mr. Dau Quang Vinh, Standing Vice Chairman of the Nghe An Union of Science and Technology Associations, on October 8, 2024, the Government issued Decree 126/2024/ND-CP regulating the organization, operation, and management of associations, replacing Decree 45/2010/ND-CP. Notably, Article 40 of Decree 126 stipulates that those working within the staffing quota at associations assigned tasks by the Party and State will receive allowances similar to those of cadres and civil servants. This decree was issued at the same time that the Vietnam Union of Science and Technology Associations held its annual review conference. Therefore, when the leaders of the Vietnam Union of Science and Technology Associations disseminated this new provision, the intellectuals throughout the system were very pleased, as it showed that the Party and State were paying close attention to the intellectuals working at the associations.

However, Decree No. 126, which came into effect on November 26, 2024, had not yet been implemented by the beginning of 2025. Faced with this situation, on January 6, 2025, the Nghe An Union of Science and Technology Associations proactively submitted a document to the Department of Internal Affairs and the Provincial People's Committee requesting support in implementing the policy. By March 2025, the Nghe An Union of Science and Technology Associations and 16 other organizations assigned tasks by the Party and State of the province received a document from the Department of Internal Affairs requesting a review and compilation of a list of employees eligible for the allowance to carry out the assessment process as prescribed. Immediately afterwards, the Nghe An Union of Science and Technology Associations submitted the list, but was told that those on the list were not eligible for the allowance.

By the end of October 2025, the Nghe An Union of Science and Technology Associations continued to send a document to the Department of Internal Affairs, requesting an assessment of 6 staff members on the unit's payroll for submission to the Provincial People's Committee for a decision on eligibility for allowances. However, in the response dated November 7, 2025, the Department of Internal Affairs' stance remained unchanged.

The Department of Internal Affairs cited point a, clause 2, Article 40 of Decree 126/2024/ND-CP regulating the recruitment, use, and management of permanent employees at associations; clause 1, Article 2 of Government Decree No. 34/2012/ND-CP regulating the civil service allowance regime and its applicable subjects; the Provincial People's Committee's assignment of the number of employees and contract workers of associations as civil servants; and the review of the files of 6 civil servant positions at the Nghe An Union of Science and Technology Associations. Based on these points, it concluded that "Based on the above regulations, the civil servants working at the unit are not eligible for the allowance under current regulations."

In addition, the Department of Internal Affairs also informed: "Furthermore, in accordance with Decision No. 4114.QD/TU dated August 27, 2025, of the Nghe An Provincial Party Committee on transferring civil servants from the local government sector to the Vietnam Fatherland Front Committee of Nghe An province, the unit is now under the management authority of the Vietnam Fatherland Front Committee of Nghe An province."

The response from the Department of Internal Affairs further raised concerns for Mr. Dau Quang Vinh. According to Mr. Vinh, the six staff members at the Nghe An Union of Science and Technology Associations had worked there for many years, all with transfer decisions from competent authorities, or were recruited directly by the Department of Internal Affairs. Furthermore, Clause a, Section 3, Article 40 of Decree 126 clearly states that individuals of working age recruited within the staffing quota allocated to the association by competent authorities are entitled to allowances in addition to their salaries and bonuses.

Mr. Dau Quang Vinh shared: “During the six-monthly meeting of the Union of Science and Technology Associations of the provinces, which included representatives from the Ministry of Interior, the Central Propaganda and Mass Mobilization Committee, the Central Organization Committee, etc., we raised concerns with the Standing Committee of the Central Association's Presidium. At the meeting, the representative from the Ministry of Interior responded and provided very thorough guidance. Even before the merger of the two-tiered government, many provinces had fully implemented the policies according to Decree 126, but in the North Central region, only our province had not. I am very concerned about this. A policy issued by the Government is being implemented without uniformity nationwide. Why is that…?”

Looking out at the neighboring province

The Nghe An Union of Associations of Science and Technology has investigated the implementation of Decree 126 in many provinces and cities nationwide. Through this investigation, it was found that after Decree 126/2024/ND-CP came into effect, many provinces and cities submitted requests to the Ministry of Interior for guidance on the implementation of regulations and policies for associations assigned tasks by the Party and the State. And, upon receiving guidance from the Ministry of Interior, these provinces and cities have all implemented it.

For example, on February 19, 2025, the Department of Internal Affairs of Hue City (formerly) issued Document No. 442/SNV-TCCC to associations assigned tasks by the Party and State with allocated personnel, stating: “Point a, Clause 3, Article 40 of Government Decree No. 126/2024/ND-CP dated October 8, 2024, regulating the organization, operation, and management of associations, stipulates:"Individuals of working age who have been assigned or transferred to work at the association by a competent authority, and those recruited within the staffing quota allocated to the association by a competent authority, are entitled to benefits and policies as prescribed for officials and civil servants, and are subject to retirement regulations as stipulated by law.".

Therefore, individuals of working age who have been assigned or transferred to work at the Association by a competent authority, and those recruited within the staffing quota allocated to the Association by a competent authority, are entitled to the civil service allowance as stipulated in Government Decree No. 34/2012/ND-CP dated April 15, 2012, on the civil service allowance regime.

In the former Bac Giang province, on December 5, 2024, the Provincial Department of Internal Affairs sent Document No. 2213/SNV-TCBC to the Ministry of Internal Affairs, requesting clarification on several issues related to the work of the Association, including the civil service allowance regime. In Document No. 67/BNV-TCPCP dated January 6, 2025, the Ministry of Internal Affairs provided the following guidance:Regarding the implementation of the civil service allowance: Individuals working regularly at associations assigned tasks by the Party and the State as stipulated in point a, clause 3, Article 40 of Decree 126/2024/ND-CP are entitled to the civil service allowance from the effective date of Decree 126/2024/ND-CP (November 26, 2024).”.

Following the above guidance from the Ministry of Interior, the former Bac Giang Department of Interior Affairs provided feedback, and on April 25, 2025, the former Bac Giang Department of Finance issued Document No. 1101/STC-HCSN to associations assigned tasks by the Party and State, requesting them to compile a list of employees eligible for civil service allowances in order to consolidate the need for additional funding for these allowances.

The former Binh Duong province also previously sent a document to the Ministry of Interior requesting guidance on the implementation of allowances for employees working in mass organizations assigned tasks by the Party and the State. Following guidance from the Ministry of Interior, on May 6, 2025, the People's Committee of the former Binh Duong province issued Document No. 2743/UBND-VX to the Department of Interior, the Department of Finance, and the mass organizations assigned tasks by the Party and the State within the province. The document clearly stated:

"Based on Government Decree No. 126/2024/ND-CP dated October 8, 2024, regulating the organization, operation, and management of associations, effective November 26, 2024; Based on Official Letter No. 1086/BNV-TCPCP dated April 8, 2025, from the Ministry of Interior regarding the regime and policies for people working in mass organizations assigned tasks by the Party and State; Considering the proposal of the Department of Interior Affairs in Official Letter No. 2943/SNV-TCBC dated April 21, 2025; in order to uniformly implement the regime and policies for people working in mass organizations assigned tasks by the Party and State in the province; the Chairman of the Provincial People's Committee has the following opinion:

1. In item 2 of Official Letter No. 1086/BNV-TCPCP, the Ministry of Interior commented on the regime and policies (including the civil service allowance) for people working in mass organizations assigned tasks by the Party and the State, as stipulated in Clause 3, Article 40 of Decree No. 126/2024/ND-CP: “Persons of working age who have been assigned or transferred to work at the association by a competent authority and those recruited within the staffing quota allocated to the association by a competent authority shall enjoy the regime and policies as prescribed for cadres and civil servants and shall retire according to the provisions of the law.”

According to the above regulations, those who regularly work at mass organizations assigned by the Party and the State to ensure compliance with the provisions of Clause 3, Article 40 of Decree No. 126/2024/ND-CP are entitled to the regime and policies prescribed for cadres and civil servants, including the public service allowance stipulated in Decree No. 34/2012/ND-CP dated April 15, 2012 of the Government"...

Policies and regulations need to be implemented uniformly!

In our province, there are 17 associations assigned tasks by the Party and the State, with a total of 117 civil servant positions. However, similar to the Nghe An Union of Science and Technology Associations, all 16 remaining associations are also awaiting the civil service allowance under Decree 126/2024/ND-CP.

Mr. Dinh Tri Dung, Standing Vice Chairman of the Nghe An Union of Literature and Arts, raised the issue that Decree 126, replacing Decree 45/2010/ND-CP, is very necessary. This is because society has undergone many changes during this period, while Decree 45 revealed many limitations and shortcomings. Regarding the implementation of the civil service allowance under Decree 126, the response from the Department of Internal Affairs is causing much concern.

Mr. Dinh Tri Dung stated that the Association has fulfilled its responsibilities to its staff by updating information on the implementation of Decree No. 126 in several provinces. "Specifically, provinces in the North Central region have already implemented it," Mr. Dinh Tri Dung said. He also informed that the Association has sent two documents to the Provincial People's Committee and the Department of Internal Affairs requesting consideration of implementing civil service benefits for those working regularly within the allocated staffing quota.

The Standing Vice Chairman of the Nghe An Provincial Association of Literature and Arts shared: “This issue is causing a lot of concern among our members. Currently, the staff of the Associations, assigned tasks by the Party and State, has been transferred by the Provincial Party Committee from the local government sector to the Vietnam Fatherland Front Committee of Nghe An province. Although still in the process of restructuring, the Associations all acknowledge that they are now under the same roof as the Fatherland Front. Therefore, we earnestly hope that in this context, the Vietnam Fatherland Front Committee of Nghe An province will provide input to resolve the issue of benefits for those working at the Associations…”

In the process of writing this article, we carefully studied the regulations on the implementation of policies and regimes for those working at associations assigned tasks by the Party and State, as stipulated in Article 40 of Decree 126. We found that Clause 1 specifically defines the beneficiaries of these policies and regimes; the implementation of these policies and regimes is also clearly defined in Clause 3. Regarding this matter, the Ministry of Interior has also provided guidance to provinces and cities for implementation, such as Hue City and the former provinces of Bac Giang and Binh Duong, as mentioned above.

I believe that Decree 126/2024/ND-CP is a new legal document, and its implementation may be interpreted differently. However, as a regulation or policy, it must be implemented, and implemented uniformly nationwide. Nghe An province has 17 associations assigned tasks by the Party and State, with 117 civil servants who have worked and contributed for many years. They deserve to have their civil service allowances considered by the competent authorities, ensuring equal rights with their colleagues in other provinces!