THE PRIME MINISTER    THE SOCIALIST REPUBLIC Of VIETNAM
   No.668/TTG           Independence-freedom-Happiness.


                            Hanoi, November 11th, 1994.

INSTRUCTION Of THE PRIME MINISTER ON A NUMBER Of ISSUES IN IMPLEMENTING RETIREMENT POLICIES fOR CADRES AND PUBLIC EMPLOYEES

At present, among the high-level cadres appointed and supervised by the Prime Minister, many have reached the retirement age but still continue working (accounting for 20% of the cadres at ministerial, deputy-ministerial or equivalent level). Also Mini stries, Agencies at ministerial level, Agencies attached to the Government and People's Committees at provinces and cities directly under the Central Government, many cadres and public employees have reached their retirement age but continue working. Of t hese cadres, many have become weak physically and depleted professionally but still have to go on with their work, thus affecting efforts to restructure and rejuvenate the personnel.

To ensure proper implementation of the policies and regimes for cadres and public employees and the transition between generations, especially among the leading cadres, the Prime Minister requests that the Ministers, Heads of Agencies at ministerial leve l, Agencies attached to the Government and Presidents of the People's Committees at provinces and cities directly under the Central Government undertake the following:

1. As of the fourth quarter of each year, to draw up a list of cadres and public employees who will reach retirement age (60 for men and 55 for women) in the following year. The concerned cadres and public employees will be notified six months in advance of the upcoming retirement by their competent leaders who will also prepare their replacements, arrange the take-over, settle matters related to policies and regimes for them, meet them and retire them in accordance with the existing policies and regimes.

With regard to cadres and public employees appointed and supervised by the Prime Minister, their list will be submitted to the Prime Minister for decision. In the event of special job requirements and if the cadres and public employees have the required s trength and willingness (especially those in science and technology, medicine, theoretical research, management, etc.), it is possible to extend their working period. However, they are allowed to take up only professional duties without involvement in an y leading position. The extension will not be more than five years past the prescribed retirement age and must have the be consent of by the Prime Minister.

With regard to cadres and public employees at all levels who have been retired, their managing agencies must complete the preparation of their retirement books within three months so that the insurance agency can start paying their pensions. The Ministry of Labor, War Invalids and Social Affairs should study and submit at an early date to the Government proposed amendments to the irrational points in Decree 43-CP on the 22nd of June, 1993, providing provisional regulations on social insurance. The Governm ent Commission for Organization and Personnel and the Ministry of finance are responsible for handling the payroll and salary fund in line with the above spirit.

2. The Ministers, the Heads of Agencies at ministerial level, the Heads of Agencies attached to the Government and the Presidents of the People's Committees of provinces and cities directly under the Central Government shall organize the implementation of this Instruction within the fourth quarter of 1994; and draw up the lists of cadres and public employees appointed and supervised by the Prime Minister who have reached or passed the retirement age for submission to the Prime Minister.

The Minister-Chairman of the Government Commission on Organization and Personnel is responsible for guiding, controlling and prompting the Ministries, the Agencies at ministerial level, the Agencies attached to the Government and the People's Committees o f provinces and cities directly under the Central Government to properly implement this Instruction.

for the Prime Minister

VO VAN KIET